Match Preview: Blackpool (A)
Bloomfield Road
EFL League Two
Tuesday, February 28, 2017 – KO 7.45pm
Team News: Jamie Stephens (hamstring) and Jack Taylor (groin) are short-term absentees while James Pearson (knee) continues to work his way back from a long-term lay-off.
Josh Vickers (quad) missed the 1-0 defeat to Cambridge United on Saturday with emergency loan signing Harry Burgoyne deputising.
Michael Gash (knee) and Shaun Batt (hamstring) are out for the season.
Last Time We Met: The Bees left it late but grabbed a dramatic 90th-minute equaliser at The Hive London in August to secure a 1-1 draw.
Mark Cullen put the Seasiders in front after 24 minutes, spinning on the edge of the penalty area and looping a half-volley beyond the reach of Josh Vickers.
But, with time running out, John Akinde collected Alex Nicholls’ header on his knee and drilled home to level.
Manager: Gary Bowyer, 45, was appointed Blackpool manager at the beginning of June following the club’s relegation to League Two.
The Mancunian’s only previous managerial experience came with Blackburn Rovers where he was twice caretaker before getting the role on a permanent basis in May 2013.
The former Hereford United and Rotherham United full-back oversaw 118 games at the helm during a tumultuous period for the club and left with a respectable 34.75% win rate.
Dangerman: Midfielder Brad Potts, 22, leads Blackpool’s scoring charts with ten goals from midfield.
Born in Hexham, Potts began his career with Carlisle United and made more than 100 appearances for the Cumbrians in three years at Brunton Park.
When his contract with the north east outfit expired in 2015, Potts moved south to join the Seasiders but was unable to prevent Blackpool from suffering relegation to the fourth tier.
Capable of playing out wide or through the middle, Potts has represented England at Under-19 level.
Last Time Out: The Seasiders blew a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at play-off chasing Exeter City who equalised in the first minute of stoppage time.
Colin Daniel put the visitors ahead after 19 minutes, tucking home when Grecians keeper Christy Pym spilled Brad Potts’ shot.
And Blackpool doubled up six minutes before the break, top-scorer Brad Potts firing a first-time volley past Pym from just inside the penalty area.
Exeter’s Ollie Watkins reduced the arrears deep in first-half stoppage time, finishing off Jack Stacey’s inviting cross.
It looked as through Blackpool would clinch all three points until Reuben Reid nodded Watkins’ cross beyond Sam Slocombe at the death.
Blackpool (4-3-3): Slocombe; Mellor, Aimson, Robertson, Taylor; Flores, Potts, Daniel; Osayi-Samuel, Matt, Odelusi.
Ticket info: Full ticket information for tomorrow’s game at Bloomfield Road can be found here.
