'Soft' - Blackpool FC boss makes feelings clear on sending off of ex-Middlesbrough man in victory over Wycombe Wanderers

Ian Evatt believes it was a soft decision to send off Hayden Coulson in Blackpool’s 1-0 victory away to Wycombe Wanderers.

The wing-back was dismissed in the 70th minute, after picking up a second yellow card, following his first before the break.

Despite being a man down, the Seasiders clung on for a victory, with an own goal from Luke Leahy being the difference between the two sides.

The result leaves Blackpool six points clear of the League One relegation with just two games remaining.

Despite enjoying a positive outcome, Evatt was still left frustrated by the decisions that went against his side at Adams Park.

“I was really disappointed with the officials today,” he said.

“Their keeper went down for a long spell in the first half, and there were other stoppages, but just two minutes were added on.

“The same thing happened in the second half, it was almost identical, but there were 11 or 12 minutes added.

“I thought Hayden’s (Coulson) two yellows were soft, especially the second one - it was almost like he couldn’t wait to do it.

“That’s disappointing because I want my players playing on the edge, I want them to be intense, I want them getting close to the ball and getting in people’s faces. We’ve spoken about Blackpool DNA, and that’s part of that.

“After that we dug in. Huge kudos to Niall (Ennis) - bringing him on and then having to take him off. His first thought was the team and getting over the line. Togetherness and brotherhood - it’s what he showed in that moment.

“I’m incredibly proud of my team, but there’s still a little bit of work to do.”

Saturday’s game marked the second consecutive game where Blackpool have demonstrated the grit required to see out a win with 10 men, after doing the same in their 3-1 victory over Peterborough United seven days prior.

“We coach a lot on low block defence,” Evatt added.

“It’s about how in times of adversity you deal with overloads and teams trying to penetrate centrally. I was confident we could close the middle spaces and defend our box with intensity.

“Everyone who came on did that with a huge responsibility and took it to provide what was a really good gritty performance.

“Those wins are the best - we know that. Gritty, hard fought away wins - it’s what we love about this game.”

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