“We saw the impact last season our fans can have”: Ian Evatt looks for a winning return home
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Blackpool’s head coach spoke before training on Monday about their return to action on Tuesday.
Ian Evatt is looking forward to being back on the Fylde coast as Blackpool aim to complete his first year in charge with three points on Tuesday.
The Seasiders welcome MK Dons to Bloomfield Road for their first home league match in a month following the international break.
They do so after losing for a fifth time in six games with last weekend’s 2-0 defeat at Leyton Orient, a result which left them 20th in League One.
Next up are the Dons, who leapfrogged Blackpool in beating Luton Town 2-1 for their first league win of the season last time out.
Evatt, whose first anniversary as head coach comes on Wednesday, said: “Just touching on the last six games, four of those have been away from home.
“We only played at home against the (then) league leaders (Plymouth Argyle, 4-2 defeat) and Bromley (2-2 draw), which we should have won.
“It’s great to be back at home, we saw the impact last season our fans can have.
“MK Dons are a team with huge investment and a manager (Paul Warne) that knows his way around this league.
“We know what to expect, they have got some really good players for this level.”
Given Blackpool’s position in the table - out of the early drop zone on goal difference and one point clear of bottom club Wigan Athletic - a win of any description might lift some of the unease in and around Bloomfield Road at present.
Asked if he would take a scrappy, 1-0 win, Evatt responded: “Of course, that goes without saying!
“I’d take a refereeing decision going our way and possibly a scrappy 1-0 win.
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“Again, have we got the personnel to have a scrappy 1-0 win?
“I’m not sure that’s in our squad DNA, we have to do it our way.
“The players understand what’s required, what’s expected and we have to shoulder the responsibility of the last six games.
“I don’t see the same as last season. We got off to a great start, then six games of indifferent performances.
“Last season, when we were losing games, we were deservedly losing them; it was a team devoid of belief, confidence, without any real style.
“I don’t see that at all, we’re just losing out on moments and decisions. That has to change and we believe it can change.”