‘Playing really badly’: EFL experts pull no punches over Blackpool as relegation fears mount

Blackpool are in ‘massive trouble’ this season.

That is the no-nonsense verdict of George Elek from the reputable Not The Top 20 podcast, who is concerned over the Seasiders’ worrying form following a 4-0 defeat to Lincoln City over the weekend.

Ian Evatt’s men went into Saturday’s contest at Sincil Bank having earned four points from their previous two matches with Mansfield Town and Bolton Wanderers.

But it was an afternoon to forget against the Imps as a disappointing display saw the Seasiders concede four without any response.

Indeed, relegation is remains on the mind of everyone at Bloomfield Road, with just one point separating themselves with 21st-placed Leyton Orient.

Evatt’s men do, though, have a favourable run of fixtures on the horizon, with Wigan Athletic, AFC Wimbledon, Doncaster Rovers and Port Vale their next four.

Blackpool in ‘massive trouble’ as relegation fears grow

And although Elek is massively concerned over Blackpool’s current league position, relegation fears could be eased if they were to pick up a decent points haul in their upcoming run of games.

Speaking on the latest episode of NTT20, he said: ‘We’ve got to talk about Blackpool. I'm afraid Blackpool fans, although I'm sure not many of you are listening off the back of what happened at Lincoln, because you might go down.

‘And it felt like when Ian Evatt was appointed there was the initial upturn in results, like they probably weren't going to go down.

‘But this incredibly expensively assembled squad with loads of League One experience and lots of quality is still playing really badly.

‘They are currently one point off Leyton Orient, who are into 21st, but Orient have a game in hand on them. I think that means on PPG that they would be in the bottom four.

‘But Blackpool's next run of games is going to define their season. It's going to define Ian Evatt’s time as manager, because they play Wigan at home, Wimbledon away, Doncaster away, Port Vale at home.

‘In part because you got six pointers within those, but in part also four games where their fans will be like there's absolutely no reason why we can't win all of those games.

‘And if they come away from those with a points tally of three or four, they are going to be in massive trouble and Evatt is going to be on pretty shaky ground.

‘If they can get a decent point to turn of seven, eight, nine or more than that for those four games then they're probably going to be okay. It's that simple in my mind.

‘So a huge couple of weeks coming up for Blackpool.’

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