Stop pointing the finger, says Blackpool boss

Discontent could be seen in the team during Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Millwall, with arm-waving and shouting.

The Seasiders sit two points from safety in the League One relegation zone ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Coventry, and manager McDonald revealed he has warned his players to concentrate on their own game instead of blaming others.

“I don’t like that,” he said of the on-field rows. “They were frustrated with the goals we conceded and that’s why they were having a go at each other.

“I had to talk about it at half-time and tell them to stop pointing the finger.

“The team spirit is still there and they are demanding things of each other.

“That’s why they are having a go at each other but all the players have to do better individually.”

At least the gap between 21st-placed Pool and safety did not increase on Tuesday because Doncaster lost their game in hand at Scunthorpe, though Shrewsbury pulled eight points clear of the Seasiders with victory over Coventry, climbing above Chesterfield and Fleetwood into 17th.

But it’s their own form that Pool desperately need to turn around, having taken only two points from their last six games, though McDonald is convinced they are showing signs of doing so.

He said: “We have a lack of confidence with the results we’ve had, but the big thing for me is I don’t think the players are giving up.

“That is key for me – they are still working hard and battling.

“It’s going to be difficult to pick them up but it’s my job to do so. We have worked hard this week to put things right.”

Blackpool welcome a Coventry side short of confidence themselves after four straight defeats.

After a promising start to the season, the Sky Blues have won just one of their last 10 games and have dropped out of the play-off places.

It’s a game McDonald feels his side can win but he warned: “We are going to have to start with all guns blazing against Coventry.

“We have to make the right decisions in key areas. The players have to prove they are still at it and ready to battle.”