Ian Evatt issues immediate reaction to Blackpool's defeat to Bradford City
Blackpool were defeated 2-1 by Bradford City at Bloomfield Road.
Ian Evatt states Blackpool have to do better in several areas even with certain factors being against them following their 2-1 defeat to Bradford City.
Aden Baldwin edged the visitors in front during the first half, before Ashley Fletcher’s 15th goal of the season levelled the scores ahead of the hour mark.
Will Swan edged the Bantams in front again in the 67th minute, as the Yorkshire outfit bounced back from their New Year’s Day defeat to Mansfield Town.
In the last few weeks the Seasiders have been hit by new injuries and are currently missing James Husband through suspension, following the defender’s controversial red card against Port Vale on New Year’s Day.
“In football a lot can change really quickly, and since we felt it was an injustice on Thursday, things have sort of spiralled,” he said.
“There’s injuries, suspension, tiredness - a lot of things have seemingly gone against us, but we’ve got to focus on the things we can control, and the two goals we conceded are not acceptable.
“It’s another second set play, we can’t afford to keep giving the opposition goals from set plays. We’re working on them, but it’s a mindset and an attitude - we have to do better.
“There’s nothing in the game, and we get ourselves back in it, and then it’s a really awful goal to concede, which leaves us chasing the game again.
“There’s context to the last game-and-a-half, we all know that. I’m frustrated, I’m annoyed because we’ve got to do better.
“Today was just a second ball game, there was nothing pretty about it. It was about competing and playing from there. We want to play football but sometimes conditions and the opposition don’t allow that so you have to find a different way.
“I was disappointed with the energy and the press in the first half, it wasn’t as intense as I like. Whether that’s 45 minutes with 10 men or the busy Christmas period with the small squad we’ve got - I don’t know, I’ll take time and evaluate that.
“That’s the basics to win at this level. Bradford are at the top of the league and do the basics really well. There’s nothing fancy in the way they play, it’s just basic set plays. We have to get better at that. I’m really annoyed with the way we’ve conceded two goals.”
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