Bowyer: Blackpool can't gift Pompey goals again

Kenny Jackett’s side delivered a 3-2 victory against the Tangerines at Bloomfield Road in November.

Brett Pitman was at the double and Ben Close was also on target for Kenny Jackett’s side..

However, Blackpool boss Bowyer rued the manner in which those goals were conceded.

He wants to see an improved defensive display from his team against the Blues at Fratton Park.

He told the Blackpool Gazette: ‘You only have to look at the game here earlier in the season when we gifted them three goals and we can’t be doing that tomorrow.

‘We also went down there last season and didn’t do very well first half, but we changed our shape and we did a lot better in the second half.

‘We were unfortunate we didn’t quite get anything at the death and they went and scored with a breakaway goal.

‘But a lot has changed since then in terms of personnel for both teams.’

Although they sit 17th in the table, Blackpool have been in good form of late.

They recorded a 2-0 win at title-chasing Wigan, before drawing with Peterborough last weekend.

And Bowyer feels those performances give the Tangerines the platform to have a ‘right good go’ at Pompey.

‘Our past two results should certainly give our players a lot of confidence,’ the manager said.

‘It was important we backed up the win at Wigan with a positive result against Peterborough on Sunday.

‘Okay, we didn’t get the three points against Peterborough but I was adamant we got something from the game.

‘I really stressed that to the players and I was delighted they did.

‘Now it sets us up nicely to go on a long journey to Portsmouth and have a right good go at them.’

Ahead of the trip to PO4, Bowyer underwent a scouting mission to watch Pompey’s victory over Fleetwood on Tuesday night.

The Blackpool manager was impressed by Fratton faithful at Highbury Stadium and the performance of Jackett’s Juniors.

‘It will be a hell of an atmosphere there because they get big crowds,’ added Bowyer.

‘I went to watch them at Fleetwood on Tuesday so it was handy having that game so close.

‘I have to say I was really impressed with the numbers they came in on a Tuesday night.

‘They deserve everything they get because that’s an unbelievable effort.

‘We see ourselves as a young side but on Tuesday there was also a lot of youngsters out there for them.

‘But they were good enough and performed well.

‘Whenever you come across a Kenny Jackett team you know you’re going to come across a good footballing team that are very well organised.’