Pool have learned their lessons

Blackpool boss Gary Bowyer says his players has learned their lessons from last month's disappointing draws and are now better prepared for the final run-in.
Blackpool players after the draw at Exeter CityBlackpool players after the draw at Exeter City
Blackpool players after the draw at Exeter City

The Seasiders squandered two-goal leads in successive games to draw against Crewe Alexandra and Exeter City in February – conceding at the death on both occasions.

The result at Exeter could well turn out to be a key turning point in Pool’s season, after a furious Bowyer gave his players a public dressing down and questioned their desire to win after conceding two goals in stoppage time of either half.

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Since then, the Seasiders have won four out of their six games, drawing the other two, as Pool have climbed back up to eighth in the League Two table and just a point off the top seven.

One of those wins came at Newport County last weekend, where Pool were forced to withstand a late barrage of pressure to clinch the three points.

“The most pleasing bit was the fact that at 2-1, we’ve stood up to the last few minutes of pressure from Newport,” Bowyer said.

“That just shows how much learning has taken place.

“We spoke about that after the games where we were unfortunately pegged back after being 2-0 up.

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“You go through stages in the season and we had a team meeting after the Exeter game and then the players held their own individual meeting.

“That’s powerful when you’ve got your own players making demands of each other as well the demands made on them from the staff.”

The highlight of last weekend’s win against Newport was Bright Osayi-Samuel’s second goal, which clinched victory in injury time.

The 19-year-old made up a number of yards to chase his own clearance before tapping past County’s backtracking goalkeeper Joe Day, who had been sent forward for a late corner.

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Bowyer added: “I thought the game management against Newport was excellent and to see the third goal – well, I can’t stop watching it.

“It’s an absolute treat to watch, it’s fantastic. It was like being at Haydock races again and you were cheering your horse home.”