The foreign market

There are increasing numbers of foreign players in the Championship. We have seen the success of Hungarian's like Zoltan Gera and Peter Halmosi as well as our very own Latvian Kaspars Gorkss. So is the foreign market the way forward in attracting players to play for Blackpool?

Foreign players signing for the Seasiders have been so uncommon that any that do arrive seem to instantly be given a cult status amongst the fans.
Who remembers the hype surounding Zarko Grabovac's arrival under Colin Hendry in January 2005? The Serbian made a couple of appearances before disappearing back to the Dutch lower divisions where Pool had picked him up from.

Since Uncle Val arrived at Blackpool we have forged links with Latvia. This summer the squad will embark on its third pre-season trip to the Baltic country.

The signing of Kaspars Gorkss in January 2007 from Ventspils was, at the time, seen by many as a signing made by the club's president.

But those doubters have since been proved wrong with Grayson confirming he signed Gorkss on his footballing ability alone, not his nationality. The giant defender had an immense season last year, so much so that he is now, arguably, the most sought after defender in the division.

Pool fans will expect more signings from abroad in the coming weeks. The Tangerines' have been linked with moves for Frenchman Nadjim Abdou and Cameroon international Joseph Desire Job.

Signings from Latvia may have to wait until January because their league is currently 12 games old.

If signings do arrive at Bloomfield from abroad let's hope they are in the mould of Gorkss and not Grabovac.

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