Blackpool keeper: Pressure is on to be successful

The new season begins in fewer than seven weeks’ time, on September 12, and Blackpool have wasted no time in confirming a number of signings, including keeper Maxwell.

The Welshman, who turns 30 on Thursday, featured in Pool’s last nine League One games of last season on a short-term contract and is delighted to have followed that with a two-year deal.

He admits the pressure is now on the players to live up to the club’s ambition.

Maxwell said: “The one thing that is on my mind and has been reiterated by the club, the manager and by Ben Mansford (chief executive) is that promotion is what we want.

“It’s as simple as that, as black and white as that – we want promotion and anything less isn’t acceptable.

“We’ve got to have a culture here where we have to win week after week and ensure we give ourselves the best possible chance of promotion.

“I’ve been here since January and you can tell Mr Sadler (owner) has changed the atmosphere and he’s changed the place.

“For me, I’ve come into an environment which is nothing but positive with everything being geared towards success.

“I think the amount of faces that came in during January showed the ambition and it’s only going to go on from there.”

Indeed, the new outfield players signed over the summer show a focus on youth which points to a high-tempo and high-energy style of football under new head coach Neil Critchley.

Maxwell added: “They’re good quality players, young, athletic players and they’re going to add to the quality we have, so hopefully there are some good times ahead.”

“Every single member of this squad wants to get promoted.

“Everyone at the club wants to get promoted and I imagine every fan wants to get promoted too. That is it, it’s as simple as that.”