Blackpool have found the perfect piece to complete midfield puzzle to allow focus to shift elsewhere

Opinion: Blackpool couldn’t have asked for a better summer signing than Karoy Anderson.

The permanent addition of the midfielder has been applauded across the board by everyone invested at Bloomfield Road - and for good reason.

What he showcased during a relatively short-term in Tangerine while on loan last season was impressive.

In a matter of months he went from looking like a young player just there to pick up minutes, to someone bossing the centre of the park and taking charge.

Both on and off the ball he demonstrated that he was capable, and brought a skillset that had probably been missing under the past few managers.

It’s no coincidence that once Anderson found his feet that the Seasiders’ fortunes changed.

While his own performances improved, the 21-year-old’s presence brought the best out of Jordan Brown as well.

The ex-Leyton Orient man was able to find some consistency for the first time as a Blackpool player really with the help of a really good partner.

Brown could just focus on his strengths, while Anderson assisted with the defensive duties as well as providing more a link to those further up the field.

His permanent signing is a statement of intent, especially with such a long-term contract on the table.

It’s not always been realistic for the Seasiders to bring back some of their successful loanees in the past, and while the Jamaica international’s profile may not have been as high as some of the others, it was still important for the club to move efficiently.

It is the perfect transfer because it completes the midfield puzzle. Not only does it benefit Brown, but it offers a certain amount of freedom to the likes of Leighton Clarkson, Albie Morgan and George Honeyman.

There is a nice blend there now, and a decent amount of depth for Ian Evatt.

The only real decision to be made in that area now is whether they add someone else for that extra bit of security, or back youngster Theo Upton to step up if there’s ever an injury crisis.

With the attacking department well stocked as well, it makes the focus of adding more bodies to the defence and in the wide areas a bit more narrow.

It’s pretty clear what’s still required, but a couple of big boxes have already been ticked this summer despite there not being a big turnover in the squad.