Blackpool keeper calls for a speedy managerial appointment

Blackpool keeper Mark Howard has admitted the Seasiders currently lack an identity and says that will remain the case until a new manager is installed.
Blackpool keeper Mark Howard has called on the club to appoint a new boss as quickly as possibleBlackpool keeper Mark Howard has called on the club to appoint a new boss as quickly as possible
Blackpool keeper Mark Howard has called on the club to appoint a new boss as quickly as possible

It is now two weeks since Gary Bowyer handed in his resignation and still the Seasiders remain without a manager.

Bowyer’s former number two Terry McPhillips has taken temporary charge for the last three games and is expecting to remain in place for this week’s home double header against Coventry City and Accrington Stanley.

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Howard, speaking after Pool’s frustrating 0-0 draw at Shrewsbury Town on Saturday, admits it’s been a difficult time for the players.

He said: “With Gary leaving, it hasn’t helped the squad because it’s unsettled the way we do things on a daily basis.

“I know Terry is doing a great job but at the end of the day we haven’t got an identity yet because no one knows how long he is going to be here for and when the manager is going to be coming in.

“So it’s difficult as a player in the squad to really make a mark on the game.

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“It’s just business as usual, you’ve just got to do your job. We’re here to play football.

“We want to win games and keep clean sheets. We’ve done one of them at Shrewsbury, it’s just disappointing we’ve not come away with three points.”

The 31-year-old was one of 13 new faces to arrive at the club during the summer, and the former Bolton Wanderers stopper has admitted things haven’t gone exactly to plan.

He added: “It’s not exactly what I expected but you just have to get on with it.

“You have no other option but to make the best out of it.

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“We have a great team spirit and the lads get you through it every day.”

The Seasiders produced a disappointing display in their stalemate at Shrewsbury, although they hung in there well to pick up their second clean sheet in three league games.

But Pool were severely lacking in quality in attack.

They struggled to create any clear-cut chances of note against a Shrewsbury side that had lost all of their opening three games in the lead-up.

Howard added: “It was frustrating, both teams lacked serious quality – especially in the final third, I don’t think either team created a lot.

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“We just lacked quality on the ball at times, just taking too many touches or that final pass was going astray.

“We stuck together as a team which was brilliant, that’s what you want to do at the start of the game to build your base on a clean sheet. We’ve done that but we just needed a bit more.

“I’m delighted to keep a clean sheet, the second in three league games which is a brilliant start – especially as they came away from home.”