Pool's Potts wants to show forward thinking

Blackpool's Brad Potts wants an attacking role this season.
Brad Potts wants to show the Blackpool fans what he can doBrad Potts wants to show the Blackpool fans what he can do
Brad Potts wants to show the Blackpool fans what he can do

Potts has been reborn under new boss Gary Bowyer and given a fresh lease of life on the right flank during pre-season after former manager Neil McDonald opted to restrict his attacking abilities in a central role.

But he is now showing his attacking capabilities on the wing under Bowyer’s new regime with Jim McAlister and Danny Pugh, who missed the Bury game due to illness, expected to feature in the middle of the park when ‘Pool kick-off the new League Two campaign against Exeter at Bloomfield Road on Saturday.

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The 22-year-old fired home a late equaliser in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Bury after steaming onto youngster Rowan Roache’s through ball.

He is glad to be utilised in a more attacking role like he was at former club Carlisle before he moved to the Fylde coast in 2015 as the relegated Seasiders start their new campaign.

He said: “I came to the club as an attacking midfielder and that’s what I want to be in the team. I feel I need to be further forward to have more of an influence on the game.

“Out wide, rather than in the middle, I feel I’ve got a bit less responsibility to defend and more freedom to play.

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“That’s the run I’ve been trying to produce, coming in off the line. It was a great ball from Roachey and I was delighted to score.”

Potts has played in all six of Blackpool’s pre-season friendlies and feels confident ahead of Saturday’s opener.

He said: “Bury are a good team, I thought they passed it well but we kept our shape and deserved the goal in the end.

“We’ve had a few injuries and illnesses so it’ll be good to have everyone back, competing for places. It’s what pre-season’s for, all the running and all the games, it’s for the first league game against Exeter so hopefully we will get a good result.”

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And Bowyer says Potts is showing more maturity than last season.

He said: “Roachey has come on, he has only been full-time since he has left school so he has done ever so well and it was a fabulous through ball for Pottsy. He has kept his head and he is showing signs of maturity from last season. I was delighted for him because it was a fabulous finish.”