Blackpool boss outlines process to eradicate physicality fear after Bromley battle
Blackpool drew 2-2 with Bromley at Bloomfield Road on Saturday afternoon.
Ian Evatt believes Blackpool were left fearful at times because of Bromley’s physicality in the 2-2 draw at Bloomfield Road.
Both Victor Adeboyejo and JJ McKiernan were on hand for the visitors to cancel out goals from Albie Morgan and Tom Bloxham to claim a point on their visit to the Fylde Coast, despite struggling in their games prior.
Evatt states the Seasiders are working hard to combat one of their current weaknesses, but admits part of it does come down to mentality.
“We’re doing so much more gym work now to make us as physically strong and robust as possible,” he said.
“That’s a journey, it takes time. From where we were, we’re not going to become Geoff Capes overnight.
“You have to improve your physicality in the gym, and we’re working hard to do that.
“The biggest change we need to make is our mind, and our attitude towards it, to not be fearful.
“Fear creates more chaos, and that’s what happened in the first half. We feared the size of them. We had spoken so much on the set plays, and it had an impact on our clearances, it had an impact on our composure and transitions.
“It ended up with them getting more corners, and us having to defend even more. That’s the frustration, and the learning for us. We will learn - we’re not the finished article yet, but I like to think in the first six games that the fans are seeing a difference from last season.
“This team is improving, this team is better; we’re just not there yet, but we’re going to keep striving to make sure we do get there.”
Evatt was also frustrated by Blackpool’s work with the ball against Bromley, and how they dealt with certain situations.
“There was no period of sustained possession or control, it was just set plays,” he added.
“That’s where I talked about composure with clearances. Too often I thought when we won the first header, we headed it into the middle of the pitch; whereas if you head it wide it gives you more time to regroup and put more pressure on the ball.
“Our decision making was affected too much.”