Aldred: Carlisle win must be launchpad for Blackpool

The Seasiders bagged their first League Two win of 2017 in impressive style as they took apart the third-placed team on their own patch 4-1.

And Aldred, who put in a commanding performance at the back against his former side, believes Pool must take advantage of the confidence-boosting win and keep climbing the table.

He said: “It was a terrific performance and a terrific result. I think it was probably one of our best performances of the season and it’s been coming.

“But we have to kick on from this now because we now know what the squad is capable of.

“We’ve had results like this in the past but haven’t quite kicked on and managed to get back-to-back wins, so we need to kick on now and we know that.

“With 17 games left we need to put a real run together and get back up the league to where we want to be.”

Another former Carlisle player was among the scorers as Brad Potts gave Pool the lead at half-time.

Wigan loan pair Jordan Flores and Sanmi Odelusi scored their first Blackpool goals and Nathan Delfouneso’s second in four games since returning added shine to a fine performance.

Aldred added: “Carlisle are doing well and had good home form, but I just thought our pace and our power was too much for them.

“The game-plan was to get the ball wide and put balls into the box. We knew it was a nice big pitch, so it suited us.

“Defensively we were happy, but we were a bit disappointed with the goal we conceded and not to get a clean sheet.

“But other than that, I don’t think Sam (Slocombe) had many saves to make, so we’re happy how we performed.”

The Seasiders now face the long trip to Portsmouth tonight, another game that could go a long way to deciding their fate this season.

“Portsmouth are another side up there in the league, with another good pitch,” Aldred said.

“They are going to be up there and we always knew that would be the case. There will be a good crowd and I’m sure it will be a good atmosphere, but it’s all about our performance.”