Departing Blackpool defender gives his verdict on the club's style of play and his own experiences of the system

The club adopted a system that consisted of utilising three at the back and playing out from the defence, with results proving to be inconsistent as they missed out on a spot in the League One play-offs on the final day of the season.

Ekpiteta first arrived at Bloomfield Road in 2020, but will depart the club this summer following the conclusion of his contract after making 143 appearances in Tangerine. The 28-year-old admits the recent style of play didn’t really suit him but was still determined to play to the best of his ability.

“I knew it wasn’t playing to my strengths and that it’d take a while to adapt because it was a whole new philosophy,” he said.

“When you first come down you don’t really have much time to gel because everyone wants results. These things take time, it’s other teams that play a similar style a few years to kick on, but we were at the early stage.

“You try too hard because you know what’s being asked of you. You can try a bit too much instead of just playing your normal game.

“It was the first time I had played in a back three, and the demand was different. I hadn’t played since January either, so I was trying to get back up to speed.

“It didn’t want to leave where I was out of the team, I wanted to go out on a high and be playing with the boys- that had been playing on my mind a bit.”

Ekpiteta is confident Blackpool will be looking up the League One table next season, as he looks to make a Championship move this summer.

“100 percent it’ll be a success, things take time,” he stated.

“Bolton play a similar style and it’s taken them a few seasons to gel, but now they’re flying.

“I think in good time it will work out.”