One game at a time for Blackpool boss Bowyer

Following Tuesday night’s 2-0 defeat to Portsmouth, the Seasiders now have 16 games remaining to put a run together and secure enough points to finish in the top seven.

Bowyer’s men are currently six points adrift of Mansfield Town in seventh, but the Pool boss says his squad must only focus on today’s home clash against Crewe.

He said: “It is a cliche but we are going one game at a time.

“We understand the need to start putting a run together in terms of consecutive wins but that (Portsmouth) was our first defeat in six; but our main aim is Crewe now. We go game by game.

“Everyone is ambitious here: players, coaching staff and the manager. We’re also realistic as well.

“We have to keep working hard and the realism is: we’ve got 16 games left to get as many points as we can and see where that takes us.”

Pool still have their game in hand against high-flyers Plymouth Argyle to play in March, while a number of their upcoming fixtures are against sides in and around them in the League Two table.

Just nine points separate Exeter City in sixth and Cambridge United in 14th, and Bowyer expects the play-off rush to continue until the very last game.

“It’s an incredible league,” he added. “People always ask ‘when do you think the league will take shape?’ Well it’s still not really taking any great shape at this moment in time and it will go right down to the wire.

“We’ve just got to focus on what we do well and what we’re good at for the next 16 games and see where that takes us.”

Blackpool have no new injury doubts with Neil Danns and Danny Philliskirk remaining out of contention, while defender Andy Taylor could be set for a return.

Bowyer said: “The lads are very good and we’ve recovered well. A lot of detail and attention goes into the preparation and we’re delighted with how they’ve recovered.

“There’s no fresh injuries which is pleasing and we’re ready to go again on Saturday. We think we might have Andy Taylor available for the weekend so that’s good.”