'We know what perceptions can do': Blackpool boss Michael Appleton refutes claim his side are ill-disciplined
Michael Appleton says it would be a “shame” if people had the misconception that his Blackpool side are ill-disciplined.
The Seasiders were hit with their second FA charge of the season following the full-time brawl against Sheffield United earlier this month.
It’s alleged both clubs failed to control their players during the incident, which culminated in Wes Foderingham and Shayne Lavery both being sent off.
It came after Marvin Ekpiteta and Dom Thompson had also been dismissed during the 3-3 draw at Bramall Lane for two bookable offences.
Blackpool have previously been fined £10,000 for the melee that broke out during another 3-3 draw against Lancashire rivals Burnley back in August.
It came after Sonny Carey had been shoved to the ground by Burnley’s Ian Maatsen after the midfielder looked to stop a counter-attack.
The Seasiders also sit third bottom of the Championship’s fair play table having been shown four red cards this season, although the 27 yellows they’ve received is relatively low compared to Sunderland (41), who sit bottom.
Millwall and Stoke City, who are joint second in the fair play table, have also only been shown 27 yellows this season.
Lavery is currently serving the third and final game of his three-match ban and will miss this weekend’s trip to Coventry City as a result.
Ekpiteta, Thompson and Carey, meanwhile, have already missed game time through suspension this season.
Thompson is still on four bookings, so he’s only one yellow away from being hit with another one-game ban, as is Callum Connolly. The cut-off point for five bookings is traditionally the 19-game mark.
When asked if his side are ill-disciplined, Appleton told The Gazette: “It’s not the case and it’s a shame because we know what perceptions can do.
“Anyone that sees us on a regular basis knows there’s a genuine honesty to the group with a competitive side to it.
“If you want team spirit of some sort, you have to live on the edge every now and then and these things do happen throughout a season. It just so happens it’s happened during the early part of the season for us.
“It’s not something we’re wanting or expecting to happen on a regular basis but I do like the fact the players are in it together and look after each other.”