Huddersfield Town loanee Dion Charles has made a strong start to his spell at Blackpool, earning praise from his new manager. The forward scored his first goal for the Tangerines in a 4-0 victory over Peterborough United and followed it with an assist in a 2-1 defeat at Barnsley this week.
Blackpool head coach Ian Evatt, who previously worked with Charles at Bolton Wanderers, was pleased with the player's impact. "I just had minutes with him and said: ‘That’s the Dion Charles I know’," Evatt told reporters. The manager noted Charles had been hampered by a foot injury during pre-season, which required careful management. "He hadn’t done very much at all in pre-season, so you’re always guarded over going to the well too soon and breaking him," Evatt added.
How has Charles performed for Blackpool?
Dion Charles has started up front alongside Tom Bloxham in Blackpool's last two matches. His inclusion has seen regular striker Jerry Yates drop to the bench. Charles opened his account for the club in the emphatic win over Peterborough, finding the net in a performance that showed his sharpness. He then turned provider in the narrow loss at Barnsley, setting up a goal for a teammate. His contributions come as Blackpool sit top of League One, having taken 10 points from their first four games with a record of three wins and one draw.
The team's strong start is built on a solid attack and defense. They have scored nine goals while conceding only three, giving them a healthy goal difference of plus six. This form has put them one point clear of Sheffield Wednesday at the summit. You can see how the table shapes up on our standings page.
What is Charles's background with Evatt?
The relationship between player and manager is not new. Ian Evatt was in charge at Bolton Wanderers when Charles was at the club, giving him a clear understanding of the forward's capabilities. This existing knowledge likely influenced the decision to bring Charles to Bloomfield Road on loan from Huddersfield Town. Evatt's post-match comments specifically referenced the player he knew from their time together in Greater Manchester, indicating he believes Charles is now returning to that level of performance after his injury setback.
What's next for Blackpool and Charles?
Blackpool are looking to get back to winning ways immediately after the Barnsley defeat. Their next fixture is an away trip to face Reading on Saturday. Charles will be hoping to retain his place in the starting lineup and continue his positive contributions. The team's full schedule for the coming weeks is available on our fixtures list.
For Huddersfield Town, monitoring Charles's progress will be important. A successful loan spell at a club leading League One demonstrates his quality at this level. His current deal with the Terriers and his place in their long-term plans can be reviewed on the club's squad page. Blackpool's immediate focus, however, is solely on preparing for the challenge at the Select Car Leasing Stadium this weekend.
