Blissett keen to emulate Johnson

ROMULUS’ new top marksman Nathan Blissett admitted it “would be a dream” to follow in the footsteps of former team-mate Marvin Johnson and earn a contract with a full-time club – but he insists his sights are set on helping the Roms to progress for now.

The 21-year-old hit man was snapped up by boss Richard Evans after completing a HND in Business in the summer, and after a difficult start Blissett has struck 13 goals in all competitions this season, proving a lot of his doubters wrong.

Blissett said: “It’s all about progression for me – I want to play as high as possible and hopefully that can be with Romulus.

“A full time move would be perfect for me, it would be a dream, but for now I’ve just got to score goals and play well, that’s my job and I will take one game at a time – the next game is always the most important.”

Romulus have had a season of transition so far and find themselves 17th in the Evostik Northern Premier League Division One South, but Blissett feels that things are steadily coming together again at Coles Lane.

“We all get on really well in the dressing room – sometimes things are a little down when we lose, but that is natural – we roll with the punches and hopefully we can steadily put another run together and push up the league.

“If we can win the majority of our remaining games then mid-table is realistic, but maybe the play-offs are beyond us this time.”

Blissett appeared for Kidsgrove Athletic last season while studying at Staffordshire University, but despite scoring regularly for the reserves he never got the chance to shine on the first team stage.

He was then spotted playing on Sutton Park with his friends and trained with the Roms in pre-season, with Blissett admitting he had a lot to prove.

“I was a bit of a raw talent at Kidsgrove, but they had their forwards and even though I scored a few goals I never got a look in there – it was never the place for me to progress.

“It’s been a learning curve as I’ve not played at this level before, but I’m getting the goals that proves the manager was right to give me the chance – as long as I keep doing that then it keeps him happy.

“My tally so far has been decent but I feel I can score a lot more goals and it’s something I want to improve – I’m not one for setting targets, but around 20 will be a decent amount this season and hopefully that will help the team to climb the table.”

The Roms host Ilkeston FC this weekend with new signing Theo Robinson set for his debut.

Robinson, 19, signed from Chasetown late last week and the fleet footed winger is expected to figure.

Joe Price and Ben Richards-Everton are still out with back injuries, while Richard Evans Jnr is ruled out with a knee problem – goalkeeper Chris Jay is available and young midfielder Cameron Lee should be in the squad.