Blackpool boss analyses roles of ex-Middlesbrough and Luton Town figures ahead of season start

A couple of Blackpool players have been tested in new roles throughout pre-season.

Hayden Coulson, who has predominantly been a left back or left wing-back since his 2024 move from Middlesbrough, has been used in the centre of midfield.

Meanwhile, in the Seasiders’ recent friendlies against Blackburn Rovers and Port Vale, Josh Bowler has been back on his familiar right side - only with a few more defensive duties chucked in as part of a five.

For Coulson in particular, it’s been an experiment that’s required new skills, but the 28-year-old’s head coach has been pleased with the results.

With the squad still light in some areas heading into Saturday’s EFL Cup first round clash away to Grimsby Town, the ex-England youth international could find himself used in his newly adopted position once again for the start of competitive action.

“We thought about it last season,” Blackpool boss Ian Evatt explained.

“I like the balance of having a lefty on the left. Hayden is an intelligent footballer, and he’s excelled in the two games he’s played in; he’s probably been one of our best players. His tactical understanding of what we want is great because he’s listened in the meetings, and has watched and understood some of the movements we look to produce.

“So far I like what I’ve seen in there from him.”

As for Bowler, talks have taken place to find the best role for the maverick figure while his natural right wing role isn’t on the table.

The 27-year-old’s best career form came during his first stint in Tangerine between 2021 and 2022, with struggles coming with the likes of Luton Town and Cardiff City in recent years.

“Me and Josh have had some lengthy discussions about what he wants and what I want,” Evatt added.

“We’ve tried to find some common ground, and that’s the best way I can describe it.

“Football is very much give and take, and I want to showcase Josh’s talents and strengths, but I also need him to hide his deficiencies - which is obviously the defensive part of the game.

“We’re finding some common ground, and it’s my job to put some pieces around him which will enable him to do what Josh Bowler does. We’ve seen some flashes in pre-season, but that has to be more consistent.

“I like what I see at the moment. Jordan Williams was fantastic last week, and putting him around Josh will help. There’s ways to get the best out of him, but he has to understand that there’s a responsibility to defend as an 11.

“Unfortunately, he’s not (Lionel) Messi and we’re not Argentina, so we can’t just allow him to do what he wants. If you go back to PSG they won nothing with Messi, Neymar and (Kylian) Mbappé - the reason was because they didn’t do anything out of possession; not because they didn’t do anything in possession.

“You just can’t afford to carry players nowadays. It’s a buy in from Josh, for him to be in the team he has to give me that defensive responsibility. I’m not asking him to be the best presser in the team, I’m just asking him to play his part, then we’ll allow him to do what he does.

“It’s my job as a coach to understand every individual, whether that’s psychologically or technically, and we’ve had lots of discussions. I think he’s extremely talented, and everyone knows what he can do when he feels supported, so we’re trying to give him that to get him back to where he was a few years ago.”