Seasiders defensive blow

Andy Taylor joins Tranmere over Blackpool

Last updated: 10th January 2008

andy taylor tranmere blackburn

Taylor: Tranmere bound

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The Blackpool defence could suffer a double blow as centre-back Kaspars Gorkss is wanted by other sides, while the Seasiders have missed out on left-back Andy Taylor.

Great performances - and five goals - have led to scouts from Watford watching full-back Gorkss, while Everton are also thought to be interested.

His possible departure would be a blow to the Seasiders, who have just lost out on bringing Taylor, a previous loan signing, back to Bloomfield Road.

Despite agreeing a fee with Blackburn for Taylor, the left-back is set to join Tranmere, where he has been on loan and has the chance to play more first-team football.

Unfortunately

Blackpool boss Simon Grayson told the club's official website: "We agreed a fee with Blackburn the other day and we got close to doing a deal but unfortunately Andy decided that he would be better off going elsewhere just through being able to play more football.

"He said to me the other day when we spoke, he's been waiting for the opportunity to come back to Blackpool for the last 18 months or so - it hasn't happened for whatever reason and he just felt that at this time in his career that he needed to go and play football, and that's what he's going to do.

"I'm disappointed to lose him but I can fully understand the lad's position that he's in and also, it would have been a hard position for him to get into with Stephen Crainey playing so well this year."

Meanwhile, Grayson believes Gorkss is a key element to his team, after the Latvian forced his way into the side.

He said: "Kaspars is a player who has clearly had a tremendous season. He's become a regular and showed to other players not in the 16 at the moment that if you do well and perform when you get an opportunity, then you will stay in.

Excellent

"He's been excellent at the back for us and the goals he has scored have been important too.

"People have got to put the right delivery into the area in the first place from set-pieces, but then you need players who will get their heads in among it and attack the ball.

"That's what Kaspars does in the opposition box and if you put it in the right areas he will be there to head it.

"Hopefully he might get into double figures and if he finishes the season as top scorer rather than an attacker then I won't complain because it means we are doing something right from set pieces."

Gorkss himself is simply concentrating on his football, saying: "I am pleased with how things are going. I don't know about scouts. I just concentrate on my game and what happens will happen."