'Deep down' - Blackpool goalkeeper makes admission on personal displays as Northern Ireland duty approaches

Bailey Peacock-Farrell admits some of the big saves he’s made for Blackpool so far this season has provided him with a “real sense of purpose.”

The goalkeeper has been one of the Seasiders’ standout players throughout the opening month of the campaign, and has been on hand with some big moments.

His displays have seen him pick up the club’s award for August’s Player of the Month, while he was also among the nominees for the League One prize.

Peacock-Farrell, who is set to head off on Northern Ireland duty next week, states he’s enjoyed himself so far this term, and is looking forward to building on some of his displays.

“I’ve been doing well, and it’s just a case of all the hard work that’s been laid down in terms of foundations from last season paying me back,” he said in last Friday’s press conference.

“Stockport was a fun one, Grimsby and Peterborough too. That’s probably when you’d love to go Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday.

“I tend to prefer the saves that matter the most in terms of the importance of the game. They don’t have to be the flashiest of saves; it’s the ones deep down where you know you’ve helped the team - you have a real sense of purpose when you have those games.”

While Peacock-Farrell was on hand with impressive saves away to both Grimsby Town in the EFL Cup and Stockport County in League One, late goals meant his performances weren’t rewarded with clean sheets.

Fortunately for the 29-year-old, he was able to pick up his first of the campaign in Blackpool’s 4-0 victory over Peterborough United.

“First clean sheet of many - I’m hoping to get a fair few more this year,” he added.

“To not get them at Grimsby and Stockport was hard after so many saves and the lads working so hard.

“We took that into Peterborough. Last year we were maybe holding onto games, but we’ve got a different mentality now. We can be happy out of possession as well as in; we look a lot more comfortable.

“Clean sheets are the nice icing on the cake, but on top of that you need to look at everything in the bigger picture.”