Blackpool must build from the back

The shot-stopper, on loan from Queens Park Rangers until the end of the season, kept a clean sheet on his debut at Shrewsbury Town in the Checkatrade Trophy, only for the Seasiders to lose the tie on penalties.

Another shutout came his way after making his league debut for Blackpool against his former side Bristol Rovers on Saturday.

It was the Seasiders’ first clean sheet at Bloomfield Road in just under four months.

“It was good to keep a clean sheet on my debut,” Lumley admitted.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time here so far. I’ve already played two games and in both games I’ve kept clean sheets.

“I like the way we play, I like the way the manager sets us up and tries to get us playing out from the back. It suits me well.

“Since my younger days at academy level I’ve always been taught to play out from the back, so it’s a strong point of my game. Hopefully I can continue to show what I can do.

“We had good spells in the game against Bristol Rovers, although they did as well. But I thought we were the better side overall.

“I thought we should have got more shots off at goal and should have won the game. It was massive to hold on and not concede.

“The boys were saying we hadn’t kept a clean sheet at home since September, so it’s good to come in and keep a clean sheet on my first league game.

“It wasn’t just me, the whole team were brilliant especially the back five.

“We had to dig in deep as they had a few chances late on.”

The Seasiders now prepare to take on AFC Wimbledon today in what could prove to be a crucial match in their season.

The Dons, currently sat in the bottom four, are just five points behind Blackpool in 16th.

“I’ve played there before, it’s quite a tight ground with the fans right on top of you,” Lumley added.

“It will be a good game, a tough one as they’re quite a physical side, but I feel we can go there, play well and try and get the three points.

“They’ve got a good strikeforce so it won’t be an easy game. No game is easy in this league.

“But from what I’ve seen of how we like to play, I think we can beat anyone.

“We treat every game the same. It doesn’t matter if you’re playing top of the league or the bottom of the league, it’s exactly the same.

“You go there trying to win and that’s what we’ll be doing.”