Simon Grayson won't dwell on his Blackpool links as Fleetwood Town travel to Bloomfield Road

The past is the past for Simon Grayson as he returns to Blackpool tomorrow.
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The Fleetwood Town head coach was a player at Bloomfield Road before having two spells as manager, leading the Seasiders to victory in the League One play-off final in 2007.

Despite those links, Grayson is looking at this weekend’s game from a Town perspective and is focusing purely on gaining a fourth straight win.

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He said: “I finished my playing career there, then got the opportunity to be manager and went back there the second time.

Simon Grayson returns to Blackpool as Fleetwood Town head coach Picture: David Horn/PRiME Media Images LimitedSimon Grayson returns to Blackpool as Fleetwood Town head coach Picture: David Horn/PRiME Media Images Limited
Simon Grayson returns to Blackpool as Fleetwood Town head coach Picture: David Horn/PRiME Media Images Limited

“It’s a club I’ve got a good affiliation with but I’m Fleetwood Town head coach now.

“It’s the next game and it’s one we want to build off the three results that we’ve had – and there’s probably extra spice to it now because both teams are in good form.

“Both teams are in a good position in the league and both are probably looking just above them to see where they can finish.

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“It’s got the ingredients of being a good game – a tight game, I expect.

“The big disappointment is that it won’t have the extra edge of being a local derby with the supporters.

“The last time I was there at Bloomfield Road, it was quite lively on the pitch and on the terraces as well.”

Saturday’s clash could have big implications for both sides’ season, with Neil Critchley’s men four points outside the play-off zone and Town just two further back, albeit from four matches more.

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Having steadied the ship in his first six weeks at Highbury, Grayson is not getting carried away by the occasion.

He said: “You’ve got two different characters in the build-up to the game with me and Neil but there is a lot at stake. The most important thing at stake is who is going to get those three points.

“If we get the three points, then we push up towards the people around us, and if Blackpool win it pushes them closer to the play-off positions.

“The biggest part will be trying to get the three points rather than the individuals or anything else.

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“Over the last few weeks Blackpool have been able to grind results out. They might not have been playing free-flowing football but they’ve been getting results, they’ve been dogged.

“They have matchwinners in their team. Jerry Yates is a goalscorer, Sullay Kaikai and CJ Hamilton have pace and they have Kevin Stewart in there who made a big move from Liverpool to Hull City.”

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