I need to do better, admits Blackpool's Delfouneso

The 26-year-old, who returned for his fourth spell with the club last month, has scored three times in six appearances since rejoining.

Delfouneso was touted as the next big thing when coming through the ranks at Aston Villa but his career hasn’t turned out as planned, with his most recent spell at Swindon proving unsuccessful.

The attacker, who has been deployed up front and out wide by Gary Bowyer, has only 20 goals to his name in a career that began in 2008 and Delfouneso says he is well aware he has to contribute more in front of goal – be that with goals or with assists.

“In attacking positions you’ve got to do both,” he said. “There have been times when I’ve not managed to go and do enough.

“Sometimes I’ve not had enough minutes on the pitch – but you’ve got to get goals and assists and be a threat.

“You always have to make an impact. You have to be the reason the team scores a goal or help in the build-up by beating a few players.

“Strikers and attackers now need to have an all-round game.

“It’s not just with goals that you contribute now – it’s hold-up play, link-up play and work rate. There’s so much to it now.

“If you look at the top strikers in the world, they all do it and that’s why they are where they are.

“I aspire to be like that because I want to get back to the level I know I can be.”

Delfouneso bagged a goal and an assist on his latest Pool debut in the 2-2 draw against Yeovil, having signed until the end of the season just hours before kick-off.

The former Blackburn man, who is closing in on 100 appearances for the club, admits his career has not yet worked out as he had hoped, but Delfouneso insists he remains as motivated as ever to get back to where he believes he belongs.

He added: “I want to move forward. I want to progress and I want to get back towards where I was.

“I believe I can be there and I believe this club can help me take a couple of steps forward.

“I hope we can all do it together and be successful between now and the end of the season.”