Blackpool boss discusses captaincy decision and reflects on cup exit

Blackpool Gazette

Steve Bruce explains his decision to give George Honeyman the Blackpool captaincy in the absence of James Husband, as he reflects on the Seasiders' 1-0 defeat to Port Vale in the EFL Cup.

Transcript

00:00What was the conversation like with Lee Evans discussing the captain's armband going to

00:03Honeyman? I just said to Lee that Hubby will always be the club captain, but he's out until

00:12Christmas. So I'd give George the captain's armband. There was no problem. He's only been

00:18the vice captain anyway, Lee, for a while. So I just thought it was a positive change.

00:23Could you see both qualities in George even before you arrived and walked?

00:26Well, I knew where he was. And again, he's had a good start to his career here, even though

00:30it's been difficult. I thought he was our outstanding player again tonight and he'll lead by example.

00:38On the defensive problems, has it got preparation beforehand or lack of communication out there

00:42on the field?

00:43I don't think it was preparation. I know what we set up to do. We've got to manage the situation

00:51better and have the ability to head it. And unfortunately, at the moment, we're struggling

00:57with both.

00:58Is it frustrating for you, knowing that the plan's there?

01:00You know, they know what they're all done.

01:01So we're putting a plan. We've got to have the courage to go and head it. When they're,

01:05maybe they've got five of them at six foot five, you've got to put your head in where it

01:09hurts. And unfortunately, at the minute, we haven't got enough who can do that.

01:14Obviously, we mentioned there's a lot of new players who, you know, gel in and get used

01:17to the surroundings. I won't look like strangers on the pitch. So how long do you think it will?

01:21I thought we were much, much better tonight for long periods. You know, there were signs

01:26of where we were. Of course, it's going to take a little bit of time with the new people

01:31bedding in. We know that. But we're all disappointed. We've had an awful week. You've

01:37got to put it behind us, get ready for Huddersfield and see what we can do.

01:41I know your big thing is you want to entertain the fans and give them something to enjoy.

01:45She's hoping that could work.

01:46Well, you've got to get results with that. I think the supporters know which way we want

01:51to go. They've seen it for the last 10 months since I've walked through the door. That will

01:56not change. However, at the moment, we've got to wait for the people to settle into the

02:02club, settle into their environment. And when you make 10 changes, it doesn't just happen

02:07overnight, unfortunately.

02:08You mentioned you might change the way you set up. So is there already a backup plan already

02:12in place?

02:12I haven't said I'll change. No, I haven't said. If real emergencies and injuries is the

02:18only reason I'll change.

02:20So 4-4-2, you do believe that is going to be there?

02:22Well, we could say it's 4-2-3-1 we played tonight, but that would be complicated.

02:27And just on the goalkeeper, obviously, barely peak a foul. Probably had struggled in the

02:30first couple of games. He's chose to stick with him tonight. What was the thinking beyond

02:33that? Well, I think he was, I think, you know, he's made a mistake in the first game. And

02:39unfortunately, he's conceded three and four, and the goalkeeper gets the full guy. So we've

02:45got to get behind him and encourage him. We know he's a talented goalkeeper, and that'll

02:49be the case.

02:50Yeah, we've got to breed a bit of confidence in too. And again, needs games and matches.

02:57Hasn't played for a long time. So that comes into it.

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