Ex-Wigan Athletic and Watford striker reflects on life under new Blackpool boss as he makes Steve Bruce admission
Ashley Fletcher was on hand with a brace in Blackpool’s 3-1 victory over Cardiff City at the weekend.
Ashley Fletcher admits he’s been impressed by how much he’s learnt under Ian Evatt in the new head coach’s first few weeks in charge.
The Seasiders continued their winning run under the club legend on Saturday afternoon, claiming a 3-1 victory over Cardiff City at Bloomfield Road.
Fletcher was on hand with a brace in the second half, while his strike partner Tom Bloxham was also on the scoresheet.
While the 30-year-old is enjoying life under Evatt, he remains clear on just how much he appreciates the positive impact former manager Steve Bruce had on his career.
Prior to his move to the Fylde Coast in 2024, the Manchester United academy product had struggled for a number of years, with a stint at Watford not providing many opportunity, and loan spells with the likes of Wigan Athletic and Sheffield Wednesday not going to plan, but rediscovered his spark in Tangerine.
“I loved my time under Steve, he got me back loving football again,” Fletcher said.
“With this manager, even at 30-years-old, I’m learning every day, and that’s the biggest compliment I can give to him so far. As a footballer all you want to do is evolve. On my first day he took me into his office and was very clear with what he expects from me, which gave me a sense of confidence going forward.
“It’s very innovative, and as a football player, you’re never too old to learn. Today (against Cardiff) was one of my best performances I can remember, so that’s a big credit to the manager.
“I always enjoyed coming into work under Steve, I loved my time under him and I can’t speak highly enough of him, but the manager has brought a freshness, with a lot of detail and a lot of stuff we needed going forward.
“By no means was it the finished article out there, we’re carrying on and learning, and if we can keep putting performances in like that, with intensity, then it’s going to be really exciting.
“If you can win games and learn on the job then it’ll massively help. It’ll give us a lot of confidence going forward because Cardiff are a really good side with a really good coach.
“To be honest it could’ve been anything, it could’ve been 5-2, 7-2 or something like that. It’s exciting, but there’s no point in us getting a result like that if we don’t back it up.”
Back it up
Fletcher’s brace against Cardiff made it four goals in his last four games, taking his season tally up to six.
For his second finish against the Bluebirds, the forward dinked the ball calmly over goalkeeper Nathan Trott.
“I’ve had to play a few different roles for the team since the start of the season, but now I’m very clear in how the manager wants me to play with Blox (Tom Bloxham) or whoever it may be,” he added.
“My second goal was a little bit similar to Lincoln last year, so I’m really enjoying my football - we need to continue this.
“It’s exciting times, I’m really looking forward to us kicking on now, because there’s no point in us producing a performance like that if we don’t back it up at Burton.
“We’re still in the bottom four, so there’s no getting away from that, and we need to quickly climb the table and see where it gets us.”
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