We've tried everything, says Blackpool boss

The Seasiders are yet to win a league game in 2017, a run which has seen them drop down to 14th in the League Two table, seven points off the play-off zone.

Pool had the chance to get back into contention for the top seven when they played their game in hand against Crawley Town on Tuesday, but they failed to take advantage and the 0-0 draw extended their winless run to six games.

Bowyer says they are working as hard as possible to put the record right, starting with a trip to high-flying Carlisle United tomorrow.

The Pool boss said: “You can rest assured we have looked at everything in terms of staff and conversations with players, both collectively and individually, but sometimes you just go through a period like this.

“In early November we were scoring four and people were expecting to see us score four every week, but it just doesn’t happen like that. It’s the same at this moment in time.

“All we do know is that we’re working very hard to do the best we can and what you are seeing is a fighting spirit from the boys.

“If they can’t find that way to win they’re making sure they don’t lose, and that’s what you have to build from.”

Pool’s winless league run in 2017 has seen them fail to beat Mansfield, Cambridge Yeovil, Colchester and Crawley, although they did pull off a surprise win at Barnsley in the FA Cup.

It is a statistic Bowyer is well aware of as he looks to steer Blackpool’s season back in the right direction.

“Obviously the league fixtures have been broken up with cup games but, yes, it is a stat we want to try and quickly get rid of,” he said.

“But we go into this weekend’s game with a massive confidence and belief in our performances because in the last four away games we’ve kept clean sheets.

“That’s really positive for us going into this game against a very good Carlisle team.”

The Seasiders are sweating over the fitness of captain Andy Taylor, who suffered a damaged collarbone towards the end of Tuesday’s 0-0 draw against Crawley Town.

The left-back went for an X-ray which showed no break, but it’s still to be determined whether he will be fit for Brunton Park as there could be muscle or ligament damage.

Brad Potts, meanwhile, is another facing a race against time to get back to full fitness in order to return against his former club.

The midfielder was taken off at half-time in Blackpool’s game against Colchester and missed Tuesday’s game as a precaution following a recurrence of his hamstring injury.