Cherries: Danny's eager for a second chance

30 December 2010 07:00
DANNY Ings is determined to take the positives from his bitter-sweet debut experience and is vowing to pull out all the stops in a bid to earn a second chance.[LNB] The teenage striker took his bow when he was a surprise inclusion in the Cherries starting line-up for the League One showdown at MK Dons on Tuesday.[LNB] But it proved a baptism of fire with Ings hardly getting a kick before he was substituted for tactical reasons and replaced by Steve Fletcher after just 30 minutes.[LNB] The Winchester-born 18-year-old, a product of the Dean Court youth ranks, told the Daily Echo: It was one of those days when things weren't going right on the pitch. A change had to be made and, unfortunately, I was the one sacrificed.[LNB] I had no idea I was going to start until the day before in training. We did some shape work and the manager told me to go up top. I was really excited and a little bit nervous during the build up. I couldn't have asked for a better Christmas present, it was just a shame it had to end like it did.[LNB] Ings made a brief substitute appearance in Cherries' Football League Trophy defeat at Northampton in September 2009 but was blighted by an abdominal injury for much of last season.[LNB] However, after earning his first professional contract in the summer, he was rewarded with an extended deal following his return from a productive loan spell with Dorchester Town.[LNB] There's a massive difference between Conference South and League One, said Ings, who hit seven goals in 13 games for the Magpies. The spell at Dorchester helped me a lot, both physically and mentally.[LNB] Hopefully, I will get another chance and I've just got to keep working hard in training. Next time, it will be a different game and I would like to think I could show people what I'm about.[LNB] Ings, who joined Cherries as a 15-year-old, added: A lot has happened to me in a short space of time and it has hit me very quickly. I don't think age matters when you are on the pitch, it's down to ability.[LNB] I am learning every day, especially from Fletch. He is a great role model, he speaks to me all the time and gives me good advice and tips.[LNB] He's a rock and is someone that all young players should look up to. As we saw against MK Dons, he changes games. Hopefully, one day, I'll be able to play up front with him.[LNB] Discussing his decision to replace Ings, Cherries boss Eddie Howe said: It was very difficult and nothing to do with Danny. He had deserved his chance because he had been excellent in training. He has looked a real threat and will be a really good player for us. But I felt I had to change something. We were under the cosh and needed an out-ball. Fletch came on and was excellent.[LNB]

Source: Bournemouth_Echo