Blackpool boss Mick McCarthy is looking for his side to build on last week’s goalless draw with league leaders Burnley as they travel to Bristol City tomorrow.
Football hasn’t been at the front of the club’s mind during the week, after fan Tony Johnson died following an incident after the Burnley fixture.
The Seasiders picked up a what could be a valuable point against the Vincent Kompany’s side, but Blackpool still remain in the relegation zone and six points from safety.
McCarthy was pleased with how his team competed in the match, and emphasised just how important keeping clean sheets are to them at the minute.
Speaking to The Blackpool Gazette, McCarthy said: “I think 0-0s or not conceding goals is the only base you can work from unless you are a Man City where you can concede two and score three. We’re not like that.
“We’ve found goals hard to come by so if that’s the case we’ve got to make sure we don’t concede.”
Having only scored 33 goals in the 35 games so far this season, McCarthy is concerned of the lack of fire power from his strikers.
With only two of his forwards fit, McCarthy has spoken on the importance to look after them both.
He said: “I thought about playing the two of them up front but I explained to Gary Madine we’ve only got two centre forwards and they’re both coming back from hamstring issues.
“The last thing I needed was them two playing together and maybe one of them or both of them breaking down.
“We haven’t got any other strikers, so even taking Jerry off near the end, that’s to protect him because he put a shift in. He had run his race and Gaz was raring to go.”
They had no issues finding the net in the reverse fixture back in August when both sides played out an entertaining 3-3 draw.
Blackpool scored a late equaliser through Theo Corbeanu, but they have only scored five goals so far in McCarthy’s reign as boss, and won once.
They haven’t won at Ashton Gate since 2012 when Tom Ince scored a double in the 3-1 victory.
Opposition Bristol City had gone 10 games unbeaten in the league, before their good run was ended in a 2-0 defeat to Cardiff.
Followed by a draw to 23rd placed Huddersfield, they still hold a comfortable spot in mid-table, and are 13 points clear of the relegation zone.
