FRESH from a drubbing at Charlton, Blackpool boss Simon Grayson has warned his players not to be the first to slip up against Ipswich when they meet tomorrow.

Derek Davis

FRESH from a drubbing at Charlton, Blackpool boss Simon Grayson has warned his players not to be the first to slip up against Ipswich when they meet tomorrow.

Blackpool have lost just three games in 13 at Bloomfield Road in the Championship, winning five and Grayson is well aware of the Blues' terrible away record.

He said: “We certainly don't want to be the first team all season to be beaten by them on the road.

“I'm sure Jim is looking into all sorts of things to rectify it. Do you change routines, do you look at different tactical set ups, I don't know. That's for Jim to work out and hopefully it will continue after Saturday that they still haven't won away from home.”

Town are the last of the Championship teams that Blackpool have come up against since being promoted. The two sides have not met in the league since Town won 2-1 at Portman Road in January 1971, but Grayson insists they know all they need to about Magilton men.

He said: “We have seen enough DVDs to know what they are about.

“We have prepared properly and we know the threat they can be. They are a bit of an enigma away from home but we know that on any day they can turn anybody over.

“They do it at home and they will be trying to get the monkey off their back with their first away victory. We know we can give anybody a game on our day and if we are at it then there is no reason why we can't win the game.

“They have some good players. I know all about Alan Lee, who I was at Villa with. I know Jonathan Walters from Blackburn. Pablo Counago is a clever player, as well as midfield players. They are goal-scoring threats.”

The 1,000 plus travelling Town fans will get the opportunity to take a close look at Wes Hoolahan who has attracted interest from a number of Championship clubs including Town but Grayson insists not firm bids have been made for the £1.5m rated left-sided attacker.

He is also a little surprised that Town have not yet bought any new players and added: “They have a little bit of money to spend.

“It hasn't happened for them at the moment but I am sure they are trying to improve the team all the time and they have a good chance of being in the play-offs if they continue their home form until the end of the season.”

Grayson, who is held in the highest esteem by Blackpool fans, is statistically the most successful Seasiders ever in terms of results.

He took over from Colin Hendrie in November 2005 when they were second bottom of League One and was told if he could keep them up he could keep the job.

Grayson did and the following season went one better and got Blackpool promoted for the first time since 1978.

Blackpool are likely to make a couple of changes to the side that got hammered at Charlton on Saturday.

Ian Evatt could replace Michael Jackson at the back while £220,000 signing from Hull City Stephen McPhee is likely to get the nod ahead of Scott Vernon.

derek.davis@archant.co.uk