Blackpool boss shares what makes ex-Wigan Athletic and Watford striker tick as he makes fresh admission on St. Pauli loanee
Blackpool claimed a 4-1 victory over Carlisle United to progress in the FA Cup on Sunday evening.
Ashley Fletcher entered double figures for the season on Sunday evening as Blackpool claimed a 4-1 victory over Carlisle United in the second round of the FA Cup.
Tom Bloxham opened the scoring for the Seasiders at Bloomfield Road, before the club’s top scorer bagged a brace either side of a superb strike from Scott Banks and a Luke Armstrong consolation for the Cumbrians.
Prior to making the move to the Fylde Coast in the summer of 2023, Fletcher had endured a number of difficult years.
Having joined Watford in 2021, game time proved limited for the former Manchester United youngster at Vicarage Road, with loan spells with the likes of Sheffield Wednesday and Wigan Athletic also proving unsuccessful.
The 30-year-old was able to get his career back on track in Tangerine under Steve Bruce last season, with 11 goals and eight assists coming his way in League One.
Fletcher has been able to build on his output in front of goal further this term, and has impressed in particular since Ian Evatt’s appointment at the end of October.
The forward’s double against Carlisle took him up to 10 for the campaign, with eight of those coming under the current head coach.
“Fletch is a top player,” Evatt said.
“All he needs is some clarity in what his role is, so we try to give him that, and some love. Everyone needs love and support. Footballers are human beings, and they respond to support and love more than critique and booing.
“He’s a good player and he’s shown that for me since I’ve been here. Having goal scorers is really important.”
Evatt reiterates Banks consideration
Fellow goalscorer Banks also enjoyed a productive afternoon for Blackpool in the right wing-back role against Carlisle.
As well as finding the back of the net, the St. Pauli loanee was also on hand with several other creative moments, and tested Harry Lewis a few times.
Despite scoring three times since Evatt’s appointment, the 24-year-old hasn’t been guaranteed game time.
“We know there’s positives with Banksy,” the Seasiders head coach stated.
“What he brings to us in the final third is different to what others can do, but, also, he’s not a natural defender, so you have to balance it with the structure of the team and the opponent we’re playing against.
“We have to pick and choose our moments with him. He is a difference-maker and a talented boy. We’ve also got Josh (Bowler) - who has extreme talent and is a dribbler.
“I like receivers and dribblers in my team; we just have to find the right balance with it.”
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