Ian Evatt makes honest admission on ex-Stockport County defender following Blackpool return
Blackpool claimed a 1-0 victory over Mansfield Town.
Fraser Horsfall made a triumphant return to action in Blackpool’s 1-0 victory over Mansfield Town.
The defender made the move to Bloomfield Road as a free agent from Stockport County back in the summer, but has faced his fair share of difficulties in Tangerine.
After initially struggling with both injury and form under Steve Bruce, the 29-year-old found his feet as a Seasiders player on the back of Ian Evatt’s appointment in October.
Just as Horsfall was hitting his best form, he was hit by a hamstring injury on New Year’s Day.
Following a period on the sidelines, he returned to the starting XI on Tuesday night, and produced a man of the match-winning display at the heart of Blackpool’s back three against the Stags.
“He’s just a proper guy, a proper centre back - he reminds me so much of me with his character and his personality,” head coach Evatt said.
“We’ve missed him and tonight he’s shown what a big player he is for us.
“He’s trained two or three days after being out for seven weeks, which shows he’s just desperate to get back and help out.
“He’s shown exactly what we’ve been missing - a really calm head, defends his box incredibly well, and leads.
“This team needs leaders, and we’ve got leaders in there, we just need them to step forward.
“I love players that play with personality, players should showcase their personalities out on the football pitch, and he’s one that definitely does.”
Blackpool benefit from returning quality at both ends of the pitch
At the other end of the pitch, Niall Ennis was also back in the Seasiders starting XI, and made an immediate impact with the winning goal in the first half.
“This was a big occasion and we wanted a big player to step up for us, Niall has done that today, and we’re delighted for him,” head coach Evatt stated.
“We’ve lacked composure at times, but that was a moment of composure. The first touch to set himself and then to finish it the way he has - he’s a goalscorer and has a proven record of scoring in this league.
“We’ve missed him for far too long. He’s had a significant injury and it’s taken him a long time to get back. He’s not a naturally fit lad, so he needs time and work - he’ll be the first to admit that.
“I’m so pleased for him to get back on the scoresheet and delighted for the team to get a result we desperately needed.”
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