Defender speaks ahead of his first return as an opposing player to Bloomfield Road
Alex Baptiste says he is relishing the return to face his former club Blackpool at Bloomfield Road this coming Tuesday evening.
The versatile defender made 190 appearances for the Seasiders over a five-year spell which included Premier League football before linking up with Bolton this summer.
And ahead of his first return as an opposing player Baptiste was hopeful of a positive reception.
“It’ll be good to go back,” he said. “I still keep in contact with a lot of the lads there and see some of them in my spare time. I had some great memories there and it’ll be good to see them again.”
“I hope it’ll be a good occasion. As I have said, I had some great memories at Blackpool. The play-off final win against Cardiff was one of the best moments of my career to date, but then the defeat against West Ham was one of the worst feelings I’ve felt on the pitch.
“But all that’s in the past now and now it’s obviously all about Bolton.”
Sutton-born Baptiste has so far featured in every game for Bolton this season, netting a total of three goals, leaving him just six shy of his eventual Blackpool total.
He added: “It’s always nice to pop up with a goal. It was probably debatable about whether the ball had gone out of play in the build-up against Yeovil, but you’ll take that luck when it comes your way.
“The main thing for me is that I’m doing the best thing for the team. I’m obviously playing at right-back at the moment when I’ve previously been used to playing at centre-back.
“I don’t think it’s a secret that playing in the middle is my preferred position, but if the gaffer asks me to do a job anywhere I’ll go out and give it my all. If I’m able to keep popping up with a few goals and help the team that way then I’m of course happy to do that.”