Blackpool striker aims to maintain his fine form

The 24-year-old has found the back of the net on five occasions in his last six games, his last goal coming in Tuesday night’s 3-2 defeat to Doncaster Rovers.

It marks a remarkable turnaround in fortune for the striker, who previously had to wait 12 games to score his first Blackpool goal.

Yates joked: “It’s about time, isn’t it?

“When the team is playing well and winning at the same time, it’s an even better feeling so long may it continue.

“It was playing on my mind, I think as a striker it always does. I put more pressure on myself but we’re past that point now, so I just want to kick on and get back to winning games.

“I feel like I’m getting more opportunities, so when I get a chance I feel confident I’m going to take it. It’s a nice feeling when the confidence is high.

“Hopefully nothing can stop me, fingers crossed.”

His latest goal, which came at the Keepmoat Stadium on Tuesday night, came from the penalty spot to give Blackpool an early lead against his hometown club.

“It was a nice feeling,” Yates added.

“Obviously with the first half going the way it went, we were buzzing to be two goals ahead at the break.

“At half-time we reiterated we needed to go and do it in the second half but unfortunately they came out and bettered us, which was disappointing.

“We know we should have got something from the game, but we’ll go again for Harrogate in the FA Cup.”

Yates’ run has coincided with the decision to partner him alongside Gary Madine, who has three goals in as many games.

“He’s one of the best I’ve played with,” Yates said.

“He probably does all of my dirty work and probably takes all of the hits from the defenders, so it’s nice.

“We complement each other and it’s nice when he scores, and hopefully it’s vice versa as well.

“He’s great to play with. We can all play on our own, Gary can play on his own and I can play on my own, but when you’ve got someone up there supporting you at all times, it’s a nice feeling.

“When one of us scores the other is the first to jump on each other’s backs, so it’s working well.”

The Seasiders head to Harrogate Town today, looking for a win that would put them in the FA Cup third round draw.

“It would be a big confidence boost,” Yates said.

“We’ll go there with the intention to win the game and we’ll be playing our best football I’m sure.

“We’ll make sure we’re in the hat for the third round.”

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