Blackpool captain George Honeyman was sent off early as his side fell to a 1-0 defeat at Cambridge United on Saturday. Gassan Ahadme scored the winner ten minutes from time at the Cledara Abbey Stadium, extending Blackpool's winless league run to five matches.
Referee Lewis Sandoe showed Honeyman a straight red card for a lunge, leaving the visitors to play most of the match with ten men. Blackpool manager Ian Evatt said his team is building resilience during a tough period. "It doesn’t get any easier, but it’s building resilience in adversity," Evatt told reporters after the game.
Evatt's reaction
Ian Evatt acknowledged the challenge but praised his players' physical response. He was pleased with how they stood up to Cambridge's direct threat. "We’re having a really challenging spell, a difficult spell," the Blackpool boss said. Evatt added that he felt more confident about the squad's potential after the performance, stating that if they can stay fit they will be fine. He also thanked the travelling supporters for their backing during the difficult run.
Wider context
The result leaves Blackpool 18th in the League One table with just eight points from their opening eight games. Their recent form shows no wins in their last five league outings, a sequence that includes three defeats and two draws. The team's last victory was a penalty shootout win over Crewe Alexandra in the Jersey Mike's Trophy, not a league fixture.
Blackpool now face a trip to face Leyton Orient, who are 12th, next Saturday. The fixture is a key opportunity to halt their slide and start climbing the table. Check the upcoming schedule on our fixtures page.
More detail at lythamstannesexpress.co.uk
