Blackpool boss Ian Evatt says the club's difficult 2025-26 League One campaign has left players and staff more determined as they prepare for the new season. Evatt, who took charge in October 2025 when the team sat at the foot of the division, pointed to a late improvement in results and a change in collective mindset.
From relegation fight to stronger finish
When Evatt arrived Blackpool had secured just nine points from 13 matches. Under his stewardship the team avoided the drop, concluding the campaign in 13th place. The run-in included a notable sequence of victories, with the side winning their final four league fixtures.
"I feel like last season has humbled everyone a little bit and expectations have been tapered which I think is fine,"
He told BBC Radio Lancashire that the experience has restored a sense of urgency across the dressing room and within the club. Evatt stressed the need for a different mindset this season, saying the squad must be more robust mentally to avoid repeating spells of fragility that contributed to heavy defeats in 2025-26.
Focus on mentality and day-to-day work
Evatt argued that lapses of concentration — short periods within matches that proved costly last season — are largely psychological and must be addressed through training, routines and focus. He estimated that a significant portion of performance is driven by mental strength rather than purely technical or physical factors.
- Evatt took over with Blackpool bottom of League One.
- The club finished 13th after winning the final four league matches.
- Season begins with a Carabao Cup tie at home to Grimsby on 8 August.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Points on Evatt's arrival | 9 from 13 |
| Final league position | 13th |
| First competitive match | Carabao Cup v Grimsby, 8 August |
For supporters, the message is clear: while expectations have been tempered by the previous season's struggles, the club's leadership believes Blackpool are better when they operate with hunger and concentration. How successfully Evatt translates that renewed focus into consistent performances will be central to the club's prospects in League One this season.
