Blackpool boss explains striker decision to avoid 'huge risk' in Reading defeat
Blackpool were defeated 3-1 by Reading at the Select Cars Leasing Stadium.
Ian Evatt states he was avoiding a ‘huge risk’ by now starting Tom Bloxham in Blackpool’s 3-1 defeat away to Reading.
After missing parts of pre-season due to injury, the forward has been one of standout players for the Seasiders at the start of the current campaign.
On the back of Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to Barnsley at Oakwell, Bloxham dropped down to the bench at the Select Cars Leasing Stadium.
With the team struggling, the 22-year-old was introduced in the second half, and was able to make a positive impact - assisting Leighton Clarkson’s consolation.
Evatt admits he had to manage the minutes of the ex-Shrewsbury Town man, as well as increasing Jerry Yates’ load following his loan move from Luton Town.
“Tom Bloxham has been injured, there’s been a lot of fatigue - he’s played two games in a few days,” he explained.
“Every time we’ve gone back to the well, we seem to pick up a few injuries, and we’re trying to guard against those.
“We knew he could impact it. Just when we were impacting it, we were 2-0 and not 1-0 or level, and that really hurt.
“He (Bloxham) had an injury in pre-season and missed a lot so he’s been thrown back in. He’s all energy and we could see he was fatigued on Wednesday, so it would’ve been a huge risk to go again.
“Jerry (Yates) needs time and minutes as well. Dion (Charles) is still getting fully up to speed, Jordan (Brown) is, Albie (Morgan) is. There’s a lot out there, so it’s understandable why the energy levels dropped.
“We have to know for the future that we can’t produce that type of performance very often.”