Article by @Sadler's Brylcreem
It's been an interesting couple of weeks since Steve Bruce's departure. Whether or not Simon Sadler saw a raft of potential managers or if Ian Evatt was always Heir apparent we'll never know but I'm glad we had two weeks of frenzied speculation and a plethora of names thrown in to the mix. Richie Wellens, was always a long shot, because of the cost involved, Matt Bloomfield always felt a bit out of the frying pan and in to the fire for both parties, Leam Richardson would have been an underwhelming choice and as tempted as he might have been the sight of Neil Critchley back at Bloomfield Road would have been as unpalatable as Prince Andrew at an Under 18's disco. In the end, Evo was the obvious choice and whilst I enjoyed throwing names around for a couple of weeks, the appointment of the former Seasider could surely have happened a lot sooner.
Strangely my abiding memory of Ian Evatt will be that crest fallen figure who put the ball in to the back of his own net at Old Trafford. No one enjoyed our promotion the previous season more than Evo and no one seemed as devastated by the relegation as he did. In an interview in 2022 he said "The way it ended was kind of sour for me. The Premier League and getting relegated was disappointing, then losing in the last minute of the play-off final the following season was also disappointing. Then to end with the injury I had and what happened behind the scenes with the manager and the chairman, it was very disappointing. I think that group of players was broken up far too quickly and too early. I think we had more to give, but that’s football. We remember the good times and we move on.” Here is a man with unfinished business.
After the Legends game in the summer, I heard Evo at the end of the game speaking to some Blackpool fans. He seemed genuinely choked by the welcome he received, the fact he was back at Bloomfield Road and amongst so many of the players who had created those magical years. It doesn't surprise me that fact he said he was emotional to be back at the club. Even looking at the pictures of him meeting the players there just seemed a lovely familiarity, a warmth and a sense that this is the right appointment. They say never go back but sometimes it just feels the right time and, for me, this has been the perfect appointment.
We all revel in a new manager's first interview, get excited about what they have to say and believe they are the one to take us forward (Appleton and Critchley Mk2 aside) but there was something exciting listening to Evatt because he knows what fans want and expect. His line about 'fearless attacking football' is so refreshing after the last few turgid years. I liked the fact he has been clearly watching us, has an insight in to the team and knows what he needs to do. The fact this reunites him with Stephen Crainey and Stephen Dobbie (the Stephen legacy continues) is also a sign that these men will want this as much as the rest of us.
However the reality of football is a lot different than inspirational words or positive appointments. It's rare a manager ever comes in to a club with a clean slate and gets to change everything about the club in a short space of time. This is a club which really is at rock bottom. The last minute goal against Wycombe was like kicking a man when he's down. Evatt has 4 days to create a new mood, a new sense of belief, a new style of play before that vital game away at Peterborough. If that isn't hard enough it's also against the backdrop of a horrendous injury list . If ever a club needed a new manager bounce then it's us. If Evatt can just put a smile back in this club (and he seems to know a dentist who can do that!) then it will be a start. It's unlikely he'll be as good as the last Ian but it's not a bad benchmark. Good luck Ian Evatt -it won't be easy.
It's been an interesting couple of weeks since Steve Bruce's departure. Whether or not Simon Sadler saw a raft of potential managers or if Ian Evatt was always Heir apparent we'll never know but I'm glad we had two weeks of frenzied speculation and a plethora of names thrown in to the mix. Richie Wellens, was always a long shot, because of the cost involved, Matt Bloomfield always felt a bit out of the frying pan and in to the fire for both parties, Leam Richardson would have been an underwhelming choice and as tempted as he might have been the sight of Neil Critchley back at Bloomfield Road would have been as unpalatable as Prince Andrew at an Under 18's disco. In the end, Evo was the obvious choice and whilst I enjoyed throwing names around for a couple of weeks, the appointment of the former Seasider could surely have happened a lot sooner.
Strangely my abiding memory of Ian Evatt will be that crest fallen figure who put the ball in to the back of his own net at Old Trafford. No one enjoyed our promotion the previous season more than Evo and no one seemed as devastated by the relegation as he did. In an interview in 2022 he said "The way it ended was kind of sour for me. The Premier League and getting relegated was disappointing, then losing in the last minute of the play-off final the following season was also disappointing. Then to end with the injury I had and what happened behind the scenes with the manager and the chairman, it was very disappointing. I think that group of players was broken up far too quickly and too early. I think we had more to give, but that’s football. We remember the good times and we move on.” Here is a man with unfinished business.
After the Legends game in the summer, I heard Evo at the end of the game speaking to some Blackpool fans. He seemed genuinely choked by the welcome he received, the fact he was back at Bloomfield Road and amongst so many of the players who had created those magical years. It doesn't surprise me that fact he said he was emotional to be back at the club. Even looking at the pictures of him meeting the players there just seemed a lovely familiarity, a warmth and a sense that this is the right appointment. They say never go back but sometimes it just feels the right time and, for me, this has been the perfect appointment.
We all revel in a new manager's first interview, get excited about what they have to say and believe they are the one to take us forward (Appleton and Critchley Mk2 aside) but there was something exciting listening to Evatt because he knows what fans want and expect. His line about 'fearless attacking football' is so refreshing after the last few turgid years. I liked the fact he has been clearly watching us, has an insight in to the team and knows what he needs to do. The fact this reunites him with Stephen Crainey and Stephen Dobbie (the Stephen legacy continues) is also a sign that these men will want this as much as the rest of us.
However the reality of football is a lot different than inspirational words or positive appointments. It's rare a manager ever comes in to a club with a clean slate and gets to change everything about the club in a short space of time. This is a club which really is at rock bottom. The last minute goal against Wycombe was like kicking a man when he's down. Evatt has 4 days to create a new mood, a new sense of belief, a new style of play before that vital game away at Peterborough. If that isn't hard enough it's also against the backdrop of a horrendous injury list . If ever a club needed a new manager bounce then it's us. If Evatt can just put a smile back in this club (and he seems to know a dentist who can do that!) then it will be a start. It's unlikely he'll be as good as the last Ian but it's not a bad benchmark. Good luck Ian Evatt -it won't be easy.
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