Ex-Blackpool ace gives his verdict on Blackpool's tough run of results
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Ex-Seasiders striker Kevin Phillips has expressed confidence in manager Ian Evatt, saying he can turn the club's fortunes around with his young squad.
Former Blackpool ace Kevin Phillips has backed Ian Evatt to get things right at Bloomfield Road.
The Seasiders are in the midst of a difficult spell which has seen them pick up just one win and one draw from their previous eight league games.
A 2-0 victory at Bloomfield Road a week last Tuesday over Leyton Orient looked to be a turning point.
However, bad habits returned to Pool’s play on Saturday as they conceded three times in the second half to suffer a comprehensive 4-1 home reverse to Mansfield Town.
A 3-2 midweek win over Aston Villa Under-21s in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy has offered some respite to Evatt, but with his team hovering just above the League One trapdoor, wins are required sooner rather than later.
Phillips played alongside Evatt at Bloomfield Road from 2011 to 2013 and is confident his former team-mate can turn their old club’s fortunes around.
“It's been really tough for Evo,” said Phillips, who will be interested to see how the Seasiders fare against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on Sunday (2pm kick-off).
“He's almost like a club legend there.
“I played with him. I thought he got off to a really good start to the season; there was a lot of optimism there, a couple of good results, and then it's just started to slip backwards, and he finds himself in 20th.
“He'll be very frustrated. He's got a young squad, and they've been very naive. So it's been a tough run for Ian.
“But he's got the experience; he did a great job at Bolton. The club will stick with him, and they will get behind him, and he has shown his managerial pedigree at Bolton.
“He can get the best out of those young players, so hopefully they can turn a corner very, very soon.
“But it'll be a frustrating time for him, and I know how much the club means to big Evo. So hopefully he can pick things up quite quickly.”
Kevin Phillips was talking to the Blackpool Gazette in association with BestBettingSites.co.uk