A closer look at the Seasiders ahead of Wanderers' Tuesday night tip to Bloomfield Road
Ahead of Wanderers' EFL Cup first round tie away at Blackpool, bwfc.co.uk take a closer look at Gary Bowyer's side...
SEASON SO FAR…
It has been a busy summer at Bloomfield Road following Blackpool's relegation to Sky Bet League Two. A Premier League side only five years ago, the Seasiders will be hopeful of making an immediate return to the third tier this season under the stewardship of new manager, Gary Bowyer.
Wasting no time in strengthening their squad, Blackpool have already brought in nine new players during the summer months, including new club captain Danny Pugh.
And after remaining unbeaten throughout pre-season, Bowyer's reign started with a 2-0 home victory over Exeter City on the opening day of the 2016/17 season on Saturday.
Now facing Wanderers at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday night in the EFL Cup, Blackpool will be hopeful that their new-look side can pull of an upset against higher-division opposition.
RECENT FORM
• W 3-4 - Peterhead N - (Pre-Season Friendly, 15/7/16)
• W 0-3 - Manchester United Reserves A - (Pre-Season Friendly, 19/7/16)
• D 1-1 - Blackburn Rovers H - (Pre-Season Friendly, 23/7/16)
• D 0-0 - Tranmere Rovers A - (Pre-Season Friendly, 26/7/16)
• D 1-1 - Bury H - (Pre-Season Friendly, 30/7/16)
• W 2-0 - Exeter City H - (Sky Bet League Two, 6/8/16)
THE MANAGER: GARY BOWYER
Appointed Blackpool manager in June 2016, Gary Bowyer made a swift return to the dugout having previously been dismissed by former club Blackburn Rovers the previous November.
Overseeing a debut win against Exeter City on Saturday, the 45-year-old has been tasked with the responsibility of stopping the Seasiders' freefall down the divisions as they look to bounce back from successive relegations which see them now line up in Sky Bet League Two.
Son of former Nottingham Forest European Cup winner Ian, Bowyer spent time as a player with Herford United, Forest and Rotherham United during the nineties before retiring because of injury.
Starting his managerial career in non-league football, he worked as a youth team coach for both Derby County and Blackburn before being named Rovers' reserves manager in 2008.
Twice serving as the club's caretaker manager, Bowyer was handed the job permanently in May 2013 and oversaw eighth and ninth-place finishes in his two full campaigns in charge at Ewood Park.
CAPTAIN: DANNY PUGH
A summer addition at Bloomfield Road, Danny Pugh was named Blackpool captain last week by Gary Bowyer in the build-up to their season-opener against Exeter City.
Coming through the ranks at Manchester United, the 33-year-old had stints with Leeds United and Preston North End before joining Stoke City in January 2008 following an initial loan spell.
Helping the Potters win promotion to the Premier League in his first few months at the club, he had loan spells back at both Preston and Leeds before returning permanently to Elland Road in January 2012.
On the books at Coventry City during the 2014/15 season, he spent last year with Bury, making 48 appearances in all competitions before joining Blackpool on a free transfer.
KEY PLAYER: JAMILLE MATT
Having seen both Danny Philliskirk and Kyle Vassell come off injured in Blackpool's season opener against Exeter City, Jamille Matt could be in line to make his full Seasiders debut against Wanderers on Tuesday night.
The forward joined the club on a free transfer during the summer having last been on the permanent books of Fleetwood Town.
Starting his career in non-league with stints at Sutton Coldfield Town and Kidderminster Harriers, the 25-year-old made the move to Fleetwood in a club-record deal in January 2013.
Scoring ten goals in his first full season at the club, injury saw him miss the entire 2014/15 campaign, before spending time on loan with Stevenage the following year shortly after his return.
Matt finished last season on loan with Plymouth Argyle, scoring seven goals from just 14 appearances as they lost in the Sky Bet League Two Play-Off Final to AFC Wimbledon.
LAST BLACKPOOL XI (v Exeter City, W 2-0)
Slocombe, Mellor, Aldred, Aimson, Taylor, Potts, McAlister, Pugh, Samuel (Yeates 61), Philliskirk (Daniel 12), Vassell (Matt 67).
LAST TIME WE MET
Eidur Gudjohnsen headed home a stoppage-time equaliser to earn Wanderers a share of the spoils when Blackpool visited Macron Stadium in April 2015, cancelling out Michael Jacobs' ninth-minute opener in the process.