“It’s always a healthy competition”: Ian Evatt’s thoughts as Blackpool look for Leyton Orient victory
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Blackpool players past and present get set to go head to head this afternoon.
Ian Evatt is relishing the battle with a familiar face as Blackpool look for a first league win since the end of August this afternoon.
The Seasiders head to a Leyton Orient side managed by former Bloomfield Road midfielder Richie Wellens.
While their paths never crossed as team-mates on the Fylde coast, the pair have pitted their wits against each other on countless occasions.
Blackpool’s head coach said: “Richie’s teams are always tough, we’ve played against each other a lot.
“We know his teams, he will know what my teams are about.
“Everyone knows what Richie’s about, he will know what I’m about and it’s always a healthy competition.”
The similarities between the clubs don’t end with having former Blackpool players in charge.
Both teams have only won one of their last seven league and cup matches, though Wellens’ players drew at high-flying Bradford City last time out as the Seasiders lost at Cambridge United.
Four defeats from the last five League One games have left the Seasiders in 18th position, out of the bottom four on goal difference.
A win today would see Evatt’s players pull level on points with their hosts, who sit 12th, while a two-goal victory would move them above the O’s.
Blackpool’s drop down the table has led to frustration from some fans, though the head coach did reiterate that they have only played eight league games so far.
Asked how he assessed the start of the season, Evatt said: “There’s context to everything.
“We started the season great, we had some injuries and things don’t go our way.
“It’s a process, a journey. If you interview Leicester City (17th in League One), MK Dons (second-bottom), all these clubs spending vast amounts of money; you can have sticky starts.
“I’ve had sticky starts in the past. My Bolton team, in my first season, were 19th in January and ended up getting promoted (from League Two).
“We have to stay calm and focus on what we believe in, but be focused on what our process is to get the points we need.”
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Today’s game kicks off a run of five league and cup matches in a fortnight, with MK Dons and Mansfield Town at Bloomfield Road next Tuesday and Saturday respectively.
Aston Villa’s U21s visit the Fylde coast in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy on Tuesday, October 27 before the trip to Sheffield Wednesday the following Sunday, November 1.
Nevertheless, Evatt maintained he was taking it one game at a time.
“Every week is important but, to be honest, I’m not looking any further ahead than Saturday,” he said.
“Our focus has to be on what we need to do to get the points we need.”