Evatt left to rue decisions but accepts supporters’ booing
Seasiders manager Ian Evatt acknowledged the boos that greeted his side but vowed to change their form around after the 2-0 defeat at Leyton Orient.
Goals from central defender Will Forrester and Dane Scarlett, from the penalty spot, earned Orient victory and plunged the visitors into the bottom four in League One.
The scoreline was harsh on Blackpool, who have now picked up just one point in their last six league games but might have been awarded a penalty after 20 minutes when Josh Bowler appeared to be bundled over by Alfie Gilchrist.
Evatt said: “Anyone who watched that performance today can't tell me that's a team that is struggling.
“Or can't tell me that's a team that looks like they're giving up on the manager's ideas. It’s definitely not. It's the opposite of that.
“There's work that we need to do and continue to do, but I still believe that I'm the guy and the staff are the ones that can help the players and turn this around. I believe in the players, I believe in the team.”
Evatt understood the reaction of the Blackpool fans who jeered his side at the final whistle. He added: “I understand their anger. I understand their frustration. But we faced it last season and we managed to turn things around and go on a really good run. There's no reason why we can't do that again.”
After losing George Honeyman to a sixth-minute red card at Cambridge last week that was later rescinded, Evatt saw two more refereeing decisions go against his side at Brisbane Road.
Bowler was booked for simulation after appearing to be brought down with the score at 0-0, while he also contested the penalty that was awarded for handball by Olly Casey.
Evatt added: “With Josh, it certainly wasn't a dive. He looked like he was brought down to me. There's clearly contact and for me and it is a penalty. And when there is contact, it's not simulation.
“How that can be a yellow card? It’s absolutely crazy.
“And then the penalty that they get clearly hit Olly Casey in the armpit. I've watched it back and slowed it down. And I've asked Olly. His account is exactly what happened when I've seen it back and again, we're on the wrong end of another decision.
“If we continue to do what we’re doing and tighten up in both boxes, we'll be fine.
“We had complete control in the first half, looked dangerous going forward. We were the dominant team.
“It's hard really hard to come out again like we did in the second half because of the run that we're on at the moment.
“But we came out with the same impetus, which was pleasing. For an hour, it looked like there was only one team in it and to be honest, I don't feel like our goal was under threat at all in the game. Just a couple of moments with a cross and set plays.”
Orient boss Richie Wellens praised his side’s defensive display in limiting Blackpool to a few clear-cut opportunities.
Wellens said: “It’s a home win and a clean sheet. I thought we were really good in terms of the basics today. Can we do better on the ball? Yes, but we are starting to do that.
“Blackpool have got some really good football players but I thought that we looked assured when the ball came into our box today.”