'No surprise' - Blyth Spartans boss Marc Nash lavishes praise on key duo Dan Lanning and Jack Foalle

Blyth Spartans boss Marc Nash has claimed that it is “no surprise” to see summer signing Dan Lanning thrive at Croft Park.

The forward has made a positive impact in green and white since arriving from Newcastle Blue Star at the beginning of the season, and has adapted well to life in the NPL East - a level at which, prior to joining Blyth, he was untested.

Lanning has scored a number of goals already, including a smattering of memorable screamers, and in Nash’s opinion, it was only ever going to be a matter of time before he found his footing in his new, more testing environment.

The Blyth boss said: “If you look at Dan's career so far, he started in the Northern Alliance and every year or two he's literally stepped up. He had a year in the Alliance, a year in Division Two, Northern League, two years in Division One, and then every year he's improved as well. Every year he's improved his stats.

“Probably this [moving to Blyth] was the biggest jump he's made in terms of level and standard. I think what's been most impressive about Dan is that - yeah, he's hitting the net a bit more regular lately - but he just never stops. His work rate, his attitude, his enthusiasm, his fitness, the way he goes about it, he's just brilliant.”

Nash continued: “He's added so much to the group. He’s still got a bit to learn, you know, like working with all the forwards and being able to trust that he has more quality around him than he's probably ever played with.

“But yeah, it's no surprise he's starting to get goals now, because I've actually looked back at a lot of his games, and he's had good chances nearly every game. He always makes the keeper work. I just think he's a goal-scorer, and that will continue.”

Elsewhere, Nash also reserved praise for Spartans attacker Jack Foalle, who has found himself amongst the goals recently too. The Blyth boss said: “He was one of the leading players that kept us in the division [last season]. He's almost like a talisman, the way he played and the way he led by example with his work rate and his running and his enthusiasm - and he's just carried that on this season.

“I think he's actually grown to love the club already. He's respected by the fans. And I think he's all in every game. That's what we love about Jack.”