Blackpool boss amplifies importance of FA Cup meeting with Ipswich Town
Blackpool face Ipswich Town in the third round of the FA Cup this weekend.
Blackpool will be hoping to use their FA Cup meeting with Ipswich Town as a catalyst to rediscover their December form.
The Seasiders picked up 13 points from five games last month, but have started 2026 with back-to-back defeat.
A 5-1 loss away to Port Vale on New Year’s Day came after a controversial red card for James Husband in the first half at Vale Park, while the impact of that on the squad was still being felt in a 2-1 win for Bradford City on Sunday.
Blackpool had been struggling with form ahead of their last FA Cup outing, with a 4-1 victory over Carlisle United putting a spring in their step.
“It’s been a tough week to deal with for us all, and that’s the club in general,” head coach Ian Evatt said.
“Everyone felt that sense of injustice, and still do a little bit. It had an impact on our momentum, but we can’t control that now, and let it go. We have to focus on what we can control, and there’s things we can be doing a lot better still.
“We have to take accountability, it’s on us to make sure we’re doing things the best we can do. We’ll reset and keep working hard to improve.
“We’ve had a good month, and picked up some really good results. We’ve got a game now where we can attack and have no fear, and make sure we’re focussed for the league campaign.
“The Carlisle game was a trigger for us going on a great run in the league, so hopefully we can reset the last game-and-a-half.
“The pressure is never off. We’ve got a lot of fans travelling to Ipswich and we’ve got a responsibility to them. We’ll fight hard to get the right result.”
Underdog mentality
Evatt admits he will enjoy the Seasiders being the underdog heading into the fixture at Portman Road, but is expecting his side to put up a strong fight.
“It’s as tough as it gets and as far as it gets,” he added.
“It’s a bit how we felt against the Carlisle’s and Scunthorpe’s of this world where we had all the pressure and they’ve had none. They’ve got all the pressure and we’ve kind of got none.
“We’re going there with no expectations apart from being the best versions of ourselves - if we can do that then we’ll hopefully cause an upset, but we’re looking forward to that challenge of showing what we can do.
“I don’t think it’s a distraction and the FA Cup for this club means the world. We respect the history of this football club. We’ll give it our best shot.”
Your next story from the Gazette: Former Blackpool favourite opens up on special connection, being brave, and 'painful' departure.