Manager Gary Bowyer has spoken of his pleasure at seeing the Blackpool players battle to all three points in the game against Hartlepool United on Saturday.
Hosting them at Bloomfield Road for the tie, Blackpool had to come from to take all three points and goals on the day came from Bright Osayi-Samuel and Kyle Vassell.
Knowing it was far from a performance at our best, Bowyer told the Official Site that battling the result out on the day as we stretched our unbeaten run to nine and won our third match in succession proved the spirit and belief within the camp.
‘We weren’t at our best, we knew that but we showed some real pleasing characteristics to get over the line against a good Hartlepool team. They came here today and played well. We’ve had that in the last two games and it’s never easy, we know that. We’re just delighted with the response because it’s a poor goal from us to concede.’
With Vassell clearly having an impact from the substitutes bench as he replaced Matt Cullen in the 72nd minute to grab our winner, Bowyer went on to say.
‘We’ve said all along about it being a squad game and the role that everybody will play, including the ones on the bench who didn’t get on today and the ones who are in the stand. Between now and the end of the season they’re going to play a part. We’ve just got to make sure that everybody is ready and when they get in, they’ve got to take their opportunity. We’re delighted with the response of the lads that came on today as well.’
Adding about the goal.
‘I think it’s a cross, we’re not going to kid ourselves. He’s gone to put it back in there and it’s looped in. You take that at any stage of the season.’
Jordan Flores came in for particular praise on the day with him coming on for Nathan Delfouneso in the 59th minute as a substitute and the gaffer admitted that leaving him out had been a tough decision.
‘It’s one of the toughest decisions I think I’ve ever had to make, leaving him out. You saw when he came on that he looked fresh and he had the ability and the composure to get us playing. We missed that a little bit today, I thought.’
Goalkeeper Dean Lyness also came in for praise.
‘You saw two terrific saves today – one from Deano when the lad’s burst through and from their goalie up against Brad Potts in the second-half. Both goalkeeper’s today made crucial saves at crucial times.’
