Ian Evatt: Blackpool looked 'devoid of ideas and confidence' in second half slump to 'physical' Mansfield Town
Blackpool manager Ian Evatt has criticised a ‘very disappointing’ second half display from his side that saw Mansfield Town dominate for another big three points.
Stags secured their second away win of the week with a strong performance against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road on Saturday.
Nigel Clough’s side drew first blood through Michael Smith, who now has four goals in his last three League One appearances. The striker then had the chance to record back-to-back braces with a penalty opportunity but his effort was saved by Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
Blackpool equalised just before the break but were put to the sword in the second half as they slumped to a 4-1 defeat. Goals from substitutes Rhys Oates and Tyler Roberts, as well as a Tangerines own goal hammered home Stags’ victory, taking them to ninth in the table. Meanwhile, Evatt’s side hover just one point above the bottom four.
The Blackpool manager criticised his team’s lack of performance after the break and described the difference in the two halves as ‘night and day’.
“I’ve been in this game all my life and that was probably the biggest game of two halves I’ve ever seen,” Evatt told club media.
“We played well in the first half – we were intense, we were intelligent, we created loads of opportunities. They have one attack and score but we’re constantly asking questions and look the most dominant team.
“Then in the second half, Mansfield went more physical and we just didn’t deal with it. We made a mistake that cost us the second goal and then after that, we just looked devoid of any ideas and confidence.
“We looked like we were feeling sorry for ourselves in a lot of ways. A very disappointing second half.”
Saturday’s result marks Blackpool’s sixth defeat in eight games. Meanwhile, Stags stretch their unbeaten run to six and will return to home soil for their next fixture when they host Notts County on 31 October.