Blackpool boss Ian Evatt makes pitch observation as he reviews Doncaster Rovers loss
Doncaster Rovers secured a much-needed 2-1 win over ten-man Blackpool to extend the gap between themselves and the relegation places.
The contest was far from a classic, with a poor pitch playing its part. Rovers went in front through an excellent first half Owen Bailey header before sub Hakeeb Adelakun doubled the lead late on. Blackpool halved the deficit through Ashley Fletcher but any chance of a comeback was stubbed out when Fraser Horsfall saw red late on.
The Tangerines are now on a five-game winless run and are three points from safety and five adrift of Rovers.
"We knew what we were coming into and we picked a team we thought could play on this pitch,” Evatt said, referencing the Eco-Power Stadium surface which is being over-used with not just Rovers games but also rugby league fixtures this month.
“We knew there wasn’t going to be loads of football on the pitch today, but it’s the same for both teams. We knew it was going to be a set-play or a mistake that would decide the game. To concede two set-plays is really tough - we’re not giving ourselves a chance. It’s the same theme.
"We changed the system, we went 4-2-3-1. We had to put players on that could run beyond because we knew it was going to be played more pragmatically and more direct. You have to be in it to win it, and we conceded the first goal at a really poor time. It was a really poor goal to concede. In the second half, we showed some moments - we hit the post and another shot flashed wide.
“Even though we tried, and we got a goal, we then have a man sent off just as we’re going to get a head of steam for the last five or six minutes."
On the red card, he added: "I thought the first one (booking), it looked like he got the ball. I don't think the referee was great for us today. When you set a tolerance level as a referee it has to apply to both teams and I don't think it did today."