Ian Evatt has the confidence of one of his former Blackpool teammates as he prepares for his first full year in charge at Bloomfield Road.
Blackpool legend Keith Southern states Ian Evatt won’t suffer fools - as he backs his former teammate to bring success back to the Fylde Coast.
The retired midfielder, who is now a coach at Everton, spent a decade at Bloomfield Road as a player between 2002 and 2012.
During that time, the 45-year-old enjoyed two play-off successes, winning promotion from League One in 2007 and from the Championship in 2010.
Keith Southern (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)placeholder image
Keith Southern (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On both of those occasions, Evatt was among his teammates, with the legendary centre back now looking to write a new chapter with the Seasiders.
Back in October, the ex-QPR and Chesterfield figure returned to Blackpool as head coach following the sacking of Steve Bruce.
He arrived with a strong coaching record, having won promotions with both Barrow and Bolton Wanderers in the past, but his first job in the Bloomfield Road dugout was to fight off relegation.
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After experiencing both highs and lows, the Seasiders eventually finished 13th in League One, thanks to a run off 22 points from their final nine games.
“I keep in touch with Evo - he’s doing a really good job,” Southern said.
“It was tough and challenging for him when he went in. He made it quite clear that you very rarely get a job when the team is functioning properly and things are going really well.
“There’s obviously something not quite right, and that was the case when Steve Bruce had the team.
“Evo went in, and it was challenging at the beginning - he had a lot of injuries, which was his biggest issue, and there was a lack of confidence in the group.
“I think it was tough to get it going to be honest, but towards the end of the season, there was a true reflection of the side he’d like to put out next season - competitive, aggressive, high pressing, high energy. A team that likes to pass and play, but with a purpose.
“Hopefully the fans have seen a snap shot into next season, because Ian, the staff, and the players will look to take the momentum into next year.
“It’s an exciting time to be a Blackpool fan. The ceiling is quite high with what they can achieve next year, I really believe that.”
Keith Southernplaceholder image
Keith Southern | Local Library
Southern believes the threat faced by the Seasiders last season will act as a wake-up call - which will only benefit the club moving forward.
“For the owner, the board of directors, the recruitment staff, and the football management team, it will be a reality check,” he added.
“Football is so fragile. If you’re standing still, then you’re going backwards. It was a real frightening look at what can happen if you haven’t got a fit for purpose squad or haven’t recruited quite as well as you possibly could.
“The games come thick and fast, so it’s difficult to get off that treadmill of Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday when you’re losing games.
“Coming through that period builds resilience and builds character. Everyone will think they’re fortunate to come through that in a really positive fashion.
“The players would’ve learnt so much, and Ian would’ve learnt so much about his players in that period. You always find out more in difficult times compared to when you’re constantly winning.
“He’ll look to recruit well in the summer, and put his mark on the football Blackpool play. I don’t think he’ll suffer fools in getting that, so if you want to stay on the bus then there’s certain things you have to do day in, day out to wear that shirt for Evo.”
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