“This is a naive group”: Blackpool staff are looking to provide players with extra know-how
Blackpool head coach gave his post-match thoughts after victory over Aston Villa’s youngsters on Tuesday.
Ian Evatt believed Blackpool’s 3-2 win over Aston Villa’s U21s in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy highlighted the naivety among some of his squad.
Tuesday’s game at Bloomfield Road saw the Seasiders trail to Fletcher Boyd’s 29th-minute goal for the visitors.
Zac Ashworth got Pool back on terms with half-time three minutes away, after which two goals in 10 minutes from Jerry Yates and Jordan Brown handed them the advantage.
Although Markie Meade pulled one back in stoppage time, the win went to Blackpool who have to wait until Crewe Alexandra play Wigan Athletic in a fortnight to know if they have reached the knockout stages.
Speaking afterwards, Blackpool’s head coach said: “For the large majority of it, it was comfortable.
“We started the game so well but missed three clinical chances in the first five minutes, where the game should be over and then it makes it completely different; a young team, heads are down etc.
“We had a lot of good stuff happen in the first half, the same as Saturday really (the defeat to Mansfield Town); just didn’t score off the back of all of our good work.
“One attack, we concede a goal again which, once again, was some defensive naivety; chances to tackle, chances to tactical foul which is a part of the game whether you like it or not.
“We were so naive and nice that we don’t do what we need to do.
“We reacted great, got back in it; half-time was level but should have been ahead.
“Second half, again for the large part, we had complete control and dominance and got ahead 3-1.
“Again, the naivety of the group. Jerry’s not secured the ball and we’re running past him in the 92nd minute when we’re 3-1 up.
“There’s just no need to do it; just keep the middle of the pitch strong, keep us secure, make sure we don’t concede any transitions - and we do the opposite.
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“This is a naive group, it is, and we’re working with them to try and give them some nous, some game intelligence.
“Some of the big characters have been out of the team. (It’s) Great to have Fraser (Horsfall) back but when he’s out of the team, CJ (Hamilton)’s out of the team, George (Honeyman) is out of the team, we do lack characters - and big characters.
“Getting those back available is going to be huge for us and we’ll keep working with the players to keep moving forwards.
“It’s a step forward tonight, it was a step forward last Tuesday (the win over MK Dons).
“First half Saturday was good, the second half was not so good, but for now, we’ll just concentrate on recovering and making sure we do everything we can to get ready for a difficult game on Sunday (Sheffield Wednesday).”