Blackpool boss looks ahead to Wigan Athletic test

Blackpool Gazette

Steve Bruce previews Blackpool's meeting with Wigan Athletic this weekend.

Transcript

00:00You mentioned Dave Whelan, junior time at Wigan.

00:02Obviously, you're the local lad who owns the club.

00:04Here, you've got a local lad who owns the club.

00:06So, obviously, the variety between those two.

00:07Yeah, they've got very, very similar traits.

00:09They've both supported the club.

00:13Both want the club to do well.

00:15Simon's a big fan, too, as much as what Dave is of Wigan.

00:20So, they're very, very common in the way they are.

00:22They want both of their clubs to do exceptionally well.

00:26So, in that respect, I've been very, very lucky to have two very, very decent owners.

00:31Have you spoken to Simon since Monday and do you expect him to pull you back here?

00:35I spoke to him yesterday.

00:37Yeah, over the phone yesterday.

00:39I don't speak to him every single day,

00:41but I think it's important that we have a relationship which is strong.

00:48I think he was as disappointed as what we all were on Saturday,

00:51that we were beaten by the far, far better team.

00:56And can we do something about it?

00:58Let's look forward to the summer and see what we can do.

01:01Yeah, you said, unless it was a miracle,

01:03it's going to be a third year in League 1 for the club.

01:04So, is Simon determined to get out?

01:06Yeah, he's determined.

01:06I think he's even more determined that he wants to take it into the Championship.

01:10That's for sure.

01:12Yeah, we don't enjoy being in Division 1.

01:14We have to be respectful that it is.

01:16And it's certainly been an eye-opener for me.

01:19The strength of some of the squads in the division has got bigger and better.

01:25If you look at Wrexham, for example, and Birmingham in particular,

01:29and then you can go down to Stockport and Huddersfield and Bolton and all these teams.

01:33Because, you know, they've all got healthy budgets and they all want to try and make a fist of it.

01:39Ollie Norburn's on at Wigan.

01:40Just to double-check, is he unable to play in this game?

01:43I think he's injured anyway.

01:45Ollie, I think he's out for the season.

01:46But, yeah, he's a lone player, so he wouldn't be eligible.

01:49Obviously, when he went, you said he's probably played his final game in Tangerine.

01:54Do you think that's still the case?

01:55Yeah, I think that's the case.

01:56I think the kid has to move on.

01:59And I think we made that decision in January, which was a big decision

02:02because we left ourselves a little bit light in the middle of the pitch.

02:05But I think it was a decision that Ollie wanted and what suits us as well.

02:11So, no, I think he's played his last game for us.

02:14And just finally, obviously, you mentioned there's going to be a big change this summer.

02:17But in terms of the outline of the team, the key players you have,

02:19that's sort of risen under you this season.

02:21Do you think you've got a good starting point?

02:22Yeah, yeah, we have a really, really good starting position.

02:25Yeah, of course.

02:26We have, as I said, when you've got lone players,

02:29there lies the biggest conundrum of all.

02:32You know, two of them in particular, the goalkeeper and Big Adele,

02:36have played probably every week since I've been here.

02:39So, it'll be interesting to see there.

02:42Big Elkin has come into the team of late.

02:44Unfortunately, he's had a lot, a lot of injuries.

02:47And then we've got, obviously, Sammy and Niall,

02:49who've helped us enormously since January.

02:52So, there's big conversations to have.

02:54Let's see what the situation is with them lads first.

02:58Then we've got the lads out of contract.

03:00So, a big summer to get your teeth into and see what we can do.

03:06All right.

03:06So, let's see.

03:07Let's see.

03:09Let's see.

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