KENNY Jackett doesn’t believe the poor state of Blackpool’s Bloomfield Road pitch will hinder his Millwall side too much when the two teams meet this weekend.

The Lions will be desperate to end a run of three straight league losses which have dented their play-off aspirations, while managerless Blackpool will be searching for a first home victory since December 15.

Their latest setback came last weekend with a 2-1 home defeat to Barnsley and they were done no favours by a pitch which has clearly not coped well with the winter weather.

Jackett said: “There is a lot of talk about their pitch but they are still a very good footballing side with some good players.

“The pitch is what it is, whether it is good, bad or indifferent.

“You know what it is like before you go up there and isn’t something you can use as an excuse because it is the same for both teams.

“Around your own goalmouth, you have to be very careful on a heavy pitch which is cut up.

“With back passes you have to follow in both ends and make sure you are diligent on that, but other than those things it is the same for both sides.

“I think that they’ve been playing well. I watched their last game against Barnsley and they were very unlucky to lose having played very well.

“Tom Ince is a leading light and they are probably in a slightly false position in the league. Blackpool are certainly capable of pushing up the table.”

Blackpool are still without a boss following Michael Appleton’s switch to Blackburn, with Billy Davies reportedly the latest name to reject the opportunity of taking on the role.

But despite the uncertainty surrounding the club, Jackett isn’t sure whether this is a good time to play the Tangerines or not.

“I don’t know, I’ve a lot of respect for Steve Thompson,” the Den chief said.

“He has done very well as a number two there and been very consistent, and also as a caretaker a number of times.

“I don’t know what the situation is whether he is going to get it or someone else but looking at their recent games the side have had a very good attitude.”

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