Ian Evatt delivers Blackpool verdict after Sheffield Wednesday draw - ‘A step forward’
Ian Evatt’s initial reaction to Blackpool’s draw with Sheffield Wednesday Hillsborough
Blackpool manager Ian Evatt felt his side deserved at least a point after fighting back to earn a 1-1 draw against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.
The Seasiders came from behind to secure a share of the points on Sunday afternoon, with substitute Jerry Yates scoring in the 81st minute after Davis Keillor-Dunn had given the hosts an early advantage.
Wednesday played with 10 men for around 50 minutes after Sil Swinkels was sent off shortly before half-time, but Blackpool had to wait until the closing stages to make their numerical advantage count.
“I’m pleased we got something out of the game because I thought 11 v 11, and 11 against 10 - it was the least we deserved,” he said.
“The plan for the first half and the plan all week was to try and not give up too many chances to be connected, to be compact, especially in the middle of the pitch, to play with an extra defender, and we knew that could provoke them to throw bodies forwards and then transition quickly and counter-attack.
“We had opportunities in the first half by doing that - I thought the game plan was excellent - and then you can’t count for mistakes like that. It just seems to be our way that we make one critical mistake and we get punished for it, but I was pleased with the way we reacted.
“We showed a good reset and showed some positivity after it, and that got the man sent off, but the only thing is, when you’re playing against an opposition down to 10 and all of a sudden they’re the ones in the block, and they have something to hang onto, it’s 1-0, it gives them an extra 10, 15 or 20 per cent being at home.”
Despite being pleased with the point, Evatt admitted Blackpool were not as composed as he would have liked after the break.
“We weren’t clean enough in the second half with our ball retention,” he added. “I didn’t think we asked enough questions.
“I thought we became a bit rushed and almost panicked at times that we needed to score immediately - we still had a long, large way to go in the game - we just needed to go through some process.
“But look, I’m delighted we got a point. I think it’s a step forward, and we need to move forward now and make sure we don’t take another step back.”