Ian Evatt pinpoints Blackpool midfielder’s attributes after his second-half showing in midweek

Ian Evatt has given Blackpool midfielder Leighton Clarkson a vote of confidence as he pushes for a place in their starting line-up this afternoon.

The Seasiders welcome Mansfield Town to Bloomfield Road, looking for consecutive League One wins after beating MK Dons on Tuesday.

That victory came at a price, however, with George Honeyman picking up a calf injury which leaves him unavailable in the short-term.

Clarkson replaced Honeyman at half-time in midweek and immediately provided the midfield with added calmness and control.

“Leighton has been pushing and pushing to play anyway,” the Blackpool head coach said.

“It would maybe have been a change I would have made at half-time, regardless.

“He sees pictures that others probably can’t - and don’t - see.

“His understanding of space and where space is on the pitch is really good.”

Tuesday’s victory was the Seasiders’ first in seven league games and pushed them up to 17th in the table with 10 games gone.

They sit six places and four points behind today’s visitors, who made it five league matches without defeat in winning at AFC Wimbledon in midweek.

Evatt added: “What I’ll say is I don’t feel like we’ve been far away.

“It’s who’s the best in both boxes, we’ve spoken about tightening up at both ends of the pitch.

“We have so many final-third entries we have to make more of.

“I wouldn’t say we’re at a point where the transformation needs to happen, there’s a long way to go.

“We got off to a good start, had a below-average run, then we got a good win on Tuesday.

“Regardless of the run, we don’t have any right to win or lose the next one.

“We have to focus on how we win, what are the processes to give ourselves the best chance to win the game?

“They are on a good run and that can happen in this league.”