Blackpool suffered a 2-0 defeat to Barrow in their latest pre-season outing.

Ian Evatt states the execution of finer details let Blackpool down in their 2-0 defeat to Barrow at Holker Street.

Rekeem Harper and Innes Cameron were on target either side of half time, as the Seasiders remained low on numbers with Ablie Morgan becoming the latest summer absentee ahead of kick off, before Dion Charles was forced to exit early during the second half.

Despite recent friendly results going against them, Evatt states it’s not panic stations at Bloomfield Road, with preparations currently on course for the start of the EFL season in a fortnight’s time.

“The frustration is the small details - that’s as physical a team I’ve ever seen or played against,” he said.

“It’s great for our lads to have the experience of going against that type of team, and I thought we stood up to them really well; we just didn’t focus on the small details.

“The first goal - we coached that so many times about never playing a straight pass into a straight run because it’s a green light to get pressure. We had a lapse of concentration, and it cost us a goal when I thought we were in control of the game.

“The second goal, it’s a free kick just inside their half, the keeper takes it and we’re on the edge of their box against players who are all my height. Going backwards never makes you safe, it’s better to be aggressive and to be high. A team that size is going to get a knock down on second balls.

“On the flip side, we had so many chances again that we didn’t take, or didn’t connect that last pass. That too is just the finer details of the game.

“We know where we’re at. We’re light on numbers, and most of our experienced players weren’t here. We’ve got a lot of quality players sitting at home, but nothing too serious where they’re going to miss the start of the season. We’re still at the stage where we’re trying to mitigate that risk to get them in the best condition - we’ll start ramping it.

“It’s not about panic stations or what we’ve seen. Fitness-wise, we look great. The lads who aren’t here look great, and are getting healthy. Some are healthy, and we just decided not to use them.

“The most important thing for me is, come Grimsby and come Wycombe, everyone’s up to speed and fully ready to go - that’s still the plan; it’s not changed.

“We want to win at Grimsby, but let’s be realistic, we’re not going to win the Carabao Cup either. We won’t use it as a friendly game, because we want to win and progress, but it’s a game where we can top up minutes.”