Wigan Athletic boss Leam Richardson takes responsibility for his side's heavy defeat to Blackpool

The Seasiders, missing 10 players due to a combination of Covid-19 and injuries, were in clinical mood as they recorded their first victory of 2021 in emphatic style.

Marvin Ekpiteta, Jerry Yates and Matty Virtue all got amongst the goals before Everton loanee Ellis Simms netted a late double on his first league appearance.

Blackpool hit five in the league away from home for the first time since thrashing Leeds United at Elland Road in 2011.

For Wigan, meanwhile, they were left to reflect on a miserable night that keeps them inside the League One relegation zone.

And boss Richardson, who played for Blackpool on loan during the 2002/03 season, says he was happy to take the blame.

"Obviously it was a very tough night for us scoreline wise," Richardson told the Wigan Post.

"I thought we were in the ascendancy before their first goal, I thought we were creeping into the game.

"With all due respect, you're asking a few lads who have only just come into the building to play the second of three matches inside a week, and I think that maybe showed a bit.

"Certainly against Fleetwood on Saturday, we managed to get through on adrenaline.

"But tonight we came up against a very good, very experienced Blackpool team, and every single mistake we made we were punished for it."

Wigan did squander a couple of good chances, with Kyle Joseph skewing wide of goal at the far post and Callum Lang seeing a shot well saved by Chris Maxwell.

"We felt that, and we did have a couple of half chances before they scored that we couldn't quite take," Richardson added.

"But goals obviously change games - especially when you're a team at the younger end of the spectrum and it's my job to educate them that the mindset can't change with disappointment.

"It's something we're going to have to learn - and learn very quickly.

"You learn a lot from adversity and you have to show the mentality to get out of it.

"It's a tough thing to do when things are going against you - especially when you're a young side experiencing things for the first time.

"Blackpool have got a heavy squad with a few players probably above this level.

"I'll take all the responsibility for the result and we'll just try and let the lads recover, regroup, digest and reflect for the weekend."

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 for your first month. Try us today by clicking here