The four Blackpool players that benefitted most from Steve Bruce last season - including ex-Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton Athletic and Leeds United figures

Steve Bruce’s arrival at Bloomfield Road last season proved to be beneficial for a number of Blackpool players.

While the Seasiders ultimately fell well short of a place in the League One play-offs, a number of individuals enjoyed personal growth throughout the campaign.

Sonny Carey was probably the player to improve most under Bruce’s management, with the 24-year-old enjoying the best form from his entire time on the Fylde Coast.

The midfielder’s strong performances in the second half of last season left him with multiple options this summer, and resulted in a move to Charlton Athletic in the Championship on a free transfer after a new contract with Blackpool was turned down.

Carey wasn’t the only one to impress under Bruce, and there’s still plenty of others that the experienced coach can build around.

Here’s the ones who benefited most from the appointment of the current Seasiders boss:

Olly Casey

It’s certainly been a coming of age 12 months for Olly Casey. Having joined the Seasiders from Leeds United in 2021, a bit of patience has been required from the 24-year-old.

On the back of a loan spell in League One with Forest Green Rovers, it seemed as if the 2023/24 season would’ve been his big chance, but it didn’t entirely work out that way.

The centre back was able to put himself in the shop window as part of Neil Critchley’s back three, but didn’t seem to be completely trusted by the former head coach, and was in and out of the starting XI.

Nonetheless, he was still handed a substantial amount of games, and without that he wouldn’t have had the platform to make himself a key figure under Steve Bruce.

Since the appointment of the legendary ex-Manchester United defender, Casey has come into his own, with only suspension keeping him out of the team.

He’s an old school defender in a number of ways. He loves an aerial battle, and will head the ball away on repeat. He’s also made countless important tackles, and just has a knack of getting his timing spot on when under pressure.

Even with the additions of experienced defenders Fraser Horsfall and Michael Ihiekwe this month, Casey will no doubt remain the key man in the defender, and it’ll be up to the new pair to fight for the spot next to him.

Ashley Fletcher

You couldn’t help but feel genuinely delighted for Ashley Fletcher when his name was read out for fans’ player of the year at the end of April.

The 29-year-old arrived at Bloomfield Road on the back of a tough number of seasons elsewhere, with loan moves with the likes of Wigan Athletic and Sheffield Wednesday not working out.

He didn’t get off to the greatest start in Tangerine either, but a conversation with Bruce helped to change his fortunes, with the forward going on to firmly establish his place in the starting XI.

His biggest strength is probably his link up play, and how he’s able to bring others into an attacking move. His finishing could be improved, but that still didn’t stop him from finding the back of the net 11 times.

Albie Morgan

Albie Morgan became Blackpool’s standout player in the centre of the park last season. During his first campaign in Tangerine following his move from Charlton Athletic, he showed snippets of what he could do, but it was under Bruce that he started to perform consistently.

The midfielder started to demonstrate that he had the ability to control the tempo of games, and had the passing range to unlock opposition defences.

Even in games where the Seasiders didn’t really turn up as a unit, he was more often than not still a reliable figure.

What makes the 25-year-old’s form even more impressive is the fact that it came at a time when he was making adaptations to his life after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

Rob Apter

It’s hard to know what Rob Apter’s season would’ve been like if it wasn’t for the early managerial change.

In an early EFL Cup tie away to Burton Albion, he did well in Critchley’s wing back system, with more freedom given to him on the right, but that luxury probably wouldn’t have been in place for every game, and his minutes could’ve been more limited because of that.

Instead under Bruce, the 22-year-old played more matches than expected in his first year at League One level.

While there’s plenty for the winger to work on, on the whole it was pleasing to see him make the step up, and be a genuine threat on the right.

The 4-4-2 formation allowed Apter to play to his strengths, and enjoy a number of memorable days in Tangerine, that he’ll be hoping to build on more consistently next season.

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