Blackpool defender is just happy to be in contention

The 31-year-old spent the back end of last season on loan with Crewe Alexandra, having been deemed surplus to requirements by former Pool boss Simon Grayson.

Since Neil Critchley has arrived, Nottingham has been brought back into the fold and was handed a one-year extension to his contract during the summer.

The defender has since started all three of Blackpool’s competitive games so far this season.

“It’s been very good, I’m just happy to be involved,” Nottingham told The Gazette.

“We’re learning every week under the new gaffer to try and get better. All of us are.

“It’s good to be back involved, I’m feeling good and I’m feeling confident. We’ve got good players around us, so it’s a nice feeling.”

Nottingham’s appearance in Blackpool’s 1-0 defeat to Plymouth Argyle was his first league start for the Seasiders since April 2019.

Critchley’s side were unfortunate to start their campaign with a defeat, having squandered a host of presentable chances to draw level.

It came after Luke Jephcott stooped low to head home Plymouth’s winner with just three minutes on the clock.

Despite the frustrating result, Nottingham was happy to get back to serious competitive action after the disruption caused by Covid-19.

“It’s good to be back playing the serious stuff again, but obviously we want to get on a run as early as possible,” he said.

“I feel as though we’ve got a really good squad this year and I feel like we can do something special.

“Obviously we’ve got a big week now to put things right and we will go again next week.

“It’s frustrating coming off the pitch having lost, but there were loads of positive signs.

“We can’t forget the negatives but we need to take those positives and build on them.

“We’ll have a big week in training now and go again.”

Blackpool now switch their focus to their opening home game of the new league campaign, when they host another League One newcomer in Swindon Town.

Richie Wellens’ men got their season off to a fast start with a 3-1 win against Rochdale and Nottingham is expecting another tough exercise.

“Every game is going to be tough in this division, there won’t be any easy games this year,” he said.

“It’s the toughest league I’ve seen for a long while, so we’re just going to make sure we’re ready mentally and physically and have a big week and go again.”