‘Blackpool is a lot different to what people say’ states Nottingham Forest youngster as he sets out his targets for this season

Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel is hoping he can nail down a regular spot in Blackpool’s starting 11.

The wing-back has looked good in his recent games, starting in the Seasiders’ starting lineup for both the FA Cup matchup with his old team, Nottingham Forest, and the replay that followed at Bloomfield Road. Nevertheless, he has played fewer minutes in the league and primarily as a substitute.

Lawrence-Gabriel has been gradually returning to full health over the past few months after missing a significant amount of time due to a catastrophic knee injury. However, he did experience a temporary setback over the Christmas break after falling ill.

“I’m getting there, I’ve still got a cough, so I don’t know how long that is going to last for,” he said.

“It struck me hard, and I’m not sure what it was. After a protracted injury, it wasn’t pleasant to be extremely sick over the holidays, but I’m feeling much better now and eager to move on.

This season, all I’ve wanted is to compete for a spot on the first team. Although I haven’t been able to do it yet, I really want to succeed in the league. I want to have accumulated some starters. Although I am aware that I have participated in cup games, I still want to keep striving to play in the league in order to gain as many games as I can this season.

Gabriel was a member of the team that was promoted to the Championship through the play-offs when he first joined the Seasiders in 2020 while on loan from Nottingham Forest. It didn’t take the 25-year-old long to return permanently to the North West after making his way back to the City Ground.

He went on, “Blackpool is a lot different from what people say.”

“It’s a wonderful place with lots of wonderful people.” It’s a lovely part of the country and a great loving club. Everyone cares and is there to assist one another. We all want to win games; that’s what the staff and players desire too.

“For me, participating in games was the most important thing following my loan spell. After Wembley, I had a great time off and returned to Forest unsure of what was ahead. I believed there was no way I was going to leave because I had started the season there playing games, but at six in the morning I received a phone informing me that I had been sold to Blackpool.

“I experienced a great deal of shock and a range of emotions.” Ultimately, I had a pleasant day and was glad to return.