MICHAEL Appleton wants his Blackpool players to get fitter after a home clash with Bolton he found “heartbreaking at times”.
The Seasiders twice come back from behind, with goals by Tom Ince and Nathan Delfounseo, to draw Appleton’s first match as Pool boss 2-2.
Pool slipped two places to 14th in the Championship and the new manager revealed the match gave him plenty of food for thought.
Appleton said: “I told the boys after the game that if I had one criticism it is that we didn’t look fit enough. It’s certainly something I’ll be looking to improve.
“It looked like an under-10s game at times, with one team attacking, then the other.
“It may be fantastic for the fans but for us on the sidelines it’s heartbreaking at times.”
Blackpool have made a habit of conceding first in games this season, having done so in more than 70 per cent of Championship clashes. But despite being unhappy at the manner of the goals, the Seasiders boss was happy with the result.
He added: “I suppose that after going behind twice I’ve got to be reasonably happy to come away with a point, but I thought we did enough to win the game.
“It was a local derby, a feisty affair, and I’m sure the fans will be reasonably happy.
“I was very disappointed in the manner we gave away the second goal. We gave away a very sloppy pass in the middle of the park.
“It’s one thing coming from a goal behind once, but to do it twice shows the lads have real character.” It was a good week for Blackpool, picking up four points from two games in difficult circumstances. But Saturday’s result was marred by an injury to Gary Taylor-Fletcher.
The striker limped off at half time with a torn hamstring, which could keep him out for a month.
Appleton said: “We aren’t sure how bad it is yet. We’ll have to get him scanned and see what he’s done. It’s a blow.
“We know how important Fletch is to us but Nathan came on and took his opportunity.
“He gave us something a bit different and got his reward with the goal.”
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