Wigan win has boosted Blackpool squad

Gary Bowyer wants his players to capitalise on Tuesday nights win at Wigan Athletic

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Heading into the midweek trip to Wigan Athletic, Pool had won just two of their last 18 games.

But Bowyer’s men pulled off a huge shock, upsetting the title favourites with a 2-0 win thanks to goals from Armand Gnanduillet and Kelvin Mellor.

Bowyer says the mood in the Blackpool camp has been lifted ahead of their game against Peterborough United at Bloomfield Road on Sunday.

He told The Gazette: “We came in for training on Wednesday getting ready for Peterborough and the place was a happier place for sure because of the win at Wigan.

“But as I’ve said all along, even when we’ve not been winning, the atmosphere has always been decent.

“Going into the game on Tuesday, we knew Wigan were a quality team and top of the league for a reason.

“It was important we went there and put a performance on, but it was more important to get a win because it’s something we’ve been searching for for a while.

“The longer it had gone on, you could see one or two getting a bit twitchy but we kept saying the same message: keep playing, keep doing the right things and keep mastering the basics and we’ll eventually get that win.

“Now we have, so it’s important we back that up.

“Sunday is another game against a team who are doing well and pushing for the play-offs.

“You look at their squad, they were able to strengthen again in January and it just shows you the challenge that lies ahead for us.

“But we’ve to be going into this game full of confidence after what we achieved on Tuesday night.”

Blackpool search for their first double of the season, having beaten the Posh 1-0 in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

“We were very good at their place, first half especially,” Bowyer added.

“We played some good football and managed to get the early goal through Kyle Vassell.

“Second half was a bit like the other night where we came under the cosh a little bit but we were able to keep a clean sheet as well – so we’d love a repeat of that. But we know this is going to be a different game.

“The game itself provides us with another opportunity to win a game.”