Blackpool defender Mellor can hold his head high

Blackpool manager Gary Bowyer has praised Kelvin Mellor for the way he has conducted himself in the face of rumours linking him with a move to Bradford City.
Kelvin Mellor has been linked with a move to Bradford CityKelvin Mellor has been linked with a move to Bradford City
Kelvin Mellor has been linked with a move to Bradford City

Despite a bid being lodged for the 26-year-old, he was named in Blackpool’s starting line-up for their 2-0 defeat at AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.

It had previously been reported that an offer had been accepted, but it has since emerged Blackpool have yet to respond to the Bantams’ bid.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It is currently unclear how much their offer for the defender is worth.

Losing Mellor will be a huge blow for Blackpool boss Gary Bowyer, who had previously gone on record as saying the main focus this month will be keeping hold of his best players.

When asked if this will be the last time that the Seasiders’ supporters will see Mellor in a Blackpool shirt, Bowyer replied: “You’re asking me questions that are above my remit.

“All I know is that he has conducted himself well this week and I thought, barring probably the first goal, he did alright for us.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We’ll just keep working with him until I’m told different.”

The Seasiders’ defeat proved to be a costly one as they slipped ever closer to the bottom four in League One.

They could have no complaints with the result as Bowyer’s men struggled for creativity, managing just one shot on goal.

It means they have failed to find the back of the net for the fourth game running in league and cup.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Pool now find themselves just three points above the drop zone ahead of next week’s home game against promotion chasers Charlton Athletic.

Bowyer added: “This is nowhere as good as we’ve been recently. We’ve not done ourselves credit.

“We’ve certainly not given our wonderful support anything to shout about and that’s disappointing.

“In the level of their performance and the manner of the goals they’ve let themselves down and let the supporters down.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“For one of the very few times this year we didn’t carry a threat when we went forward.

“That’s hugely disappointing when we have Kyle Vassell back and Dan Agyei in the team for his debut.

“We’ve not created anywhere near as much as we usually do so that’s the major frustration.

“Of course they need time to gel but that’s the situation we found ourselves in.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We didn’t get enough balls in the box and we weren’t clever enough in that final third.

“For some reason we weren’t at it with the ball as we have been.

“The two goals were poor goals defensively and we’ve been punished for it.

“I feel sorry for Joe Lumley because he’s produced a wonderful save when called upon for the first one and we’ve not backed him up.”