The EFL campaign gets under way for Blackpool this weekend as Ian Evatt’s side travel to Blundell Park to face Grimsby Town in the first round of the Carabao Cup, followed a week later by a League One opener at Bloomfield Road against Wycombe Wanderers.
New arrivals and loan additions
So far this summer the club have completed four signings. Two players have joined on loan and two more have been secured on permanent deals or free transfers. The new arrivals will be looking to make early impressions in the cup match and the opening league fixture.
- Dion Charles – on loan from Huddersfield Town
- Jordan Williams – on loan from Portsmouth
- Ilmari Niskanen – free transfer from Exeter City
- Karoy Anderson – permanent signing from Charlton Athletic (undisclosed fee)
Goalkeeper situation
The goalkeeping department is settled for the time being. Bailey Peacock-Farrell signed a one-year extension earlier in the summer to remain at Bloomfield Road. He is supported by Franco Ravizzoli, while youngster Charlie Brier is also registered with the club as a developing option.
Defensive concerns
Central defence remains an area of concern heading into the opening fixtures. The senior options currently listed are Olly Casey, Fraser Horsfall and Michael Ihiekwe, but all three missed significant parts of pre-season. That lack of recent match minutes has emphasised the thinness of the centre-back ranks.
A youngster, Oluchi Nwankwo, has featured during friendlies and been given opportunities to step up. The club will need to weigh his development needs against short-term squad depth; a loan move for regular senior minutes remains the likely route for his immediate progression.
Andy Lyons has been used in a back three during pre-season despite being a traditional wing-back, offering cover for the centre positions when required. On the left, Zac Ashworth has experience at centre-back and could be considered as another option if needed.
| Position | Notable names |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Franco Ravizzoli, Charlie Brier |
| Central defenders | Olly Casey, Fraser Horsfall, Michael Ihiekwe, Oluchi Nwankwo, Andy Lyons, Zac Ashworth |
What this means for the start of the season
With new signings arriving and a handful of defensive absences during pre-season, the opening fixtures will be revealing. The cup tie at Grimsby is a chance for fringe and loan recruits to make immediate competitive debuts. The first league match at Bloomfield Road against Wycombe comes a week later and will offer the first real test of how the summer business translates on the pitch.
Supporters will be watching closely to see whether further recruitment is carried out in the weeks ahead, particularly to bolster the central defensive options, or whether manager Ian Evatt opts to adapt personnel into alternative roles to cover shortfalls.
