Ian Evatt issues honest thoughts on Blackpool's second pre-season outing away to Tranmere Rovers

Ian Evatt states he won’t take any risks with players during pre-season on the back of Blackpool’s 2-0 defeat to Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park.

Charlie Whitaker and Jordan Davies were both on hand with goals for the home side either side of the break.

The Seasiders looked disjointed throughout due to the current number of players unavailable, with several figures forced to take on new roles out of position, as Olly Casey, Fraser Horsfall, Michael Ihiekwe, George Honeyman, Leighton Clarkson and Tom Bloxham all sat on the sidelines.

Reflecting on the game, Evatt said: “We’re obviously really light on numbers. I’m never one to accept losing, and I’m certainly not accepting that today, but fortunately for us it’s a loss when it doesn’t matter.

“Our job is to make sure we’re ready for Grimsby in the cup and then Wycombe at home - this is a part of that process.

“We’re disappointed to lose the game of course, but as with everything, there’s always context.

“The players who are available, and are fit and healthy, have got some more minutes - which is valuable. Obviously we’ve got players out, but none of them are serious. Our job is to make sure everyone in the squad is healthy and available for that first game against Grimsby. It’s what we’re on course to do.

“Disjointed is the word. We’ve got players playing slightly out of position and players who need valuable minutes but are having to brunt a lot of the workload at the minute because of who we have missing.

“We don’t need to take risks right now, and we won’t take risks right now. We’re just trying to make sure everyone’s fit and healthy for the first game, and fit enough to do themselves justice. That’s the journey and the mission.”