Fleetwood Town loanee is out to haunt his former Blackpool team-mates

Town travel to Bloomfield Road to face Blackpool for whom striker Vassell was top scorer in his two seasons in Tangerine before moving on to Rotherham United in the summer of 2018.

Now on loan with the Cod Army from the Millers, the 28-year-old is hoping to find the net for the third game running on Saturday against his former club.

And although Vassell says it is disappointing that fans can’t be present for the derby match, he hopes Town can use that to their advantage and treat it as any other game.

He said: “I’m looking forward to it – it will be the first time I’ve been back there.

“I have fond memories of my time there but now it’s more about what we’re doing here.

“We want to work on going four (wins) on the bounce by picking up three points. It will be a good game and I’ll enjoy it.”

Vassell scored Tuesday’s winning penalty against Gillingham, having also been on target in Saturday’s 2-0 success at Shrewsbury Town.

Saturday’s occasion is a familiar one for Vassell, who recalled: “I remember playing Fleetwood away when I was at Blackpool. It was a 0-0 draw (in November 2017) and it was a horrible game to play in. There was loads of wind and rain.

“I know it’s a derby but we just have to apply ourselves in the same way.

“There will be a bit more to it but you can’t think like that or you’ll get sucked into the occasion.

“If there were fans in there, there would be more pressure on the game but we’ve just got to take advantage of the situation – there aren’t any fans and we can just get the ball down and play.

“We like to play the ball and I think they do too, so it should be a good game.”

Vassell is finding form at the right time coming into the derby, his penalty the only goal in a 1-0 win over Gillingham in midweek.

Confidence is a factor for him but he also thinks that as a striker you get a feeling of when you’re on song.

He said: “Things are going well for me, there’s been goals and wins, three on the bounce.

“I’m really enjoying it.

“Getting on a run of goals is really important, that way when you’re in front of goals you’re always relaxed.

“You’re just feeling the moment and they do just keep hitting the back of the net.

“It’s what I’ve been trying to do since I got here and hopefully I just keep hitting the back of the net now.

“I think that’s how I work because although I do believe in confidence, it’s also about feeling it and knowing where the goal is.

“You’re not doubting yourself or trying too hard. It’s important to get into that space and when you start hitting the back of the net regularly you just keep doing it.”

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 per month for the first two months. Try us today by clicking here