Verdict: Terry McPhillips unveils strong hand for manager's job as Blackpool progress in the League Cup

MATCH REPORT: Doncaster Rovers 1-2 Blackpool

The fact the Seasiders have come from behind to win both of their two League Cup games so far this season suggests the players are certainly giving their all for Terry McPhillips, who has now stated publicly for the first time that he wants the manager’s job on a full-time basis.

And why not give it to him? He deserves a shot given he has overseen three wins, two draws and just one defeat in the six games he has taken charge of since Gary Bowyer’s shock resignation just one game into the new season.

Even if results hadn’t gone their way, it was already clear to see Pool’s players were playing for Terry.

If anything, the players just want clarity so they can move forwards and concentrate on their football. That’s the only thing they ever want to do.

If there had been an outstanding candidate for the post then you could make an argument that McPhillips should step aside - but there clearly isn’t.

If McPhillips does get the job, is this a case of Owen Oyston taking the easy route, appointing from within and saving on a wage?

Not one to often jump to Oyston’s defence, but I don’t think that’s the case. Surely it’s better to stick with McPhillips, who is proving he can do the job and already knows the players well from his time as a number two to Gary Bowyer, rather than giving it to someone like Richie Wellens or Owen Coyle whose stock, rightly or wrongly, is pretty low at the minute?

You have to give McPhillips tons of credit for the manner in which he has carried on and got down to work, just as Bowyer did before him.

PLAYER RATINGS: Our marks out of 10 after Blackpool's League Cup win at Doncaster

He’s slowly but surely earning himself the reputation of being a bit of a tinker-man, having made another five changes to his side for last night’s game at the Keepmoat.

But it had no noticeable effect as the Seasiders picked up a deserved win, which in the end turned out to be pretty comfortable with the home side - in seventh place in League One after a good start to the season - running out of ideas towards the end.

It wasn’t always that easy. Doncaster looked a threat in the first half and, through the diminutive, pacey Alfie May, caused all sorts of problems for Pool’s backline.

Ben Heneghan, a player who looks low on confidence at the minute, got away with a couple of poor mistakes but he wasn’t so lucky on the third occasion when he was beaten to the ball inside the penalty area by May, who nipped in before lashing home high into the net.

But Pool responded well and got the goal their play deserved with a close-range finish from Michael Nottingham, scoring for the second round running, after Heneghan had headed Harry Pritchard’s corner back towards goal.

Led by the superb Jay Spearing, Blackpool delivered a confident and professional second half display to take the win, which was ensured when Pritchard side-footed home from close range from Nottingham’s long throw - which again appeared to be flicked on by Heneghan.

Try as they may, Doncaster had very little to respond with and the Seasiders saw out the remainder of the game with relative ease.

Unlike Saturday’s game against Accrington Stanley, when the visitors equalised in injury time, Pool wound the clock down well and did what was required to hold on.

It’s interesting to note that Pool’s two goalscorers - Pritchard and Nottingham - also netted in their first round 3-1 win against Barnsley.

These are two lads who have been brought in from non-league, like Curtis Tilt, but don’t look out of place whatsoever despite a few question marks over their signings during the summer.

Gary Bowyer will leave a lasting legacy at the club if McPhillips takes the job on full-time, no more so than seeing the likes of Nottingham and Pritchard develop and grow as the season goes on.