'Real quality' - Blackpool boss makes feelings clear on winter signing from Aberdeen
Blackpool were defeated 4-1 by Lincoln City in the second round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday night.
Ian Evatt believes Leighton Clarkson demonstrated exactly what he is capable of in Blackpool’s EFL Cup meeting with Lincoln City.
The midfielder joined the Seasiders on a permanent deal from Aberdeen back in February, and has eased his way into life on the Fylde Coast over his first 17 games in Tangerine.
After providing three assists in the second half of last season, the former Liverpool youngster bagged his first goal for Blackpool on Tuesday night.
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A quality free kick across the face of goal and into the bottom corner pulled Blackpool level, cancelling out Tanto Olaofe’s opener.
Following a red card for Zac Ashworth at the beginning of the second half, Lincoln ultimately came away with a 4-1 win, with Tom Bayliss, Rob Street and Callum Elder all finding the back of the net.
Despite the defeat, Evatt was focussed on some of the positives before the sending off, including Clarkson’s free kick,
“He showed tonight what he can do,” he said.
“He’s a really good, intelligent footballer. He’s got some real quality from set plays and dead balls as well.
“Some of the play with the ball was great. The combinations between himself, George (Honeyman) and Hayden (Coulson) were good to see.
“I think with 11 on the pitch, I believe we win. It felt like we were in complete control of the game, but the sending off changed everything.”