Bruce says he still has Blackpool owner's support

Steve Bruce's Blackpool are next to bottom in League One

Blackpool boss Steve Bruce has insisted that he still has the backing of owner Simon Sadler despite their dreadful start to the League One campaign.

The Seasiders were aiming for promotion after finishing ninth last season, but are next to bottom after taking just four points from their first seven games.

Bruce said that Sadler was one of the main reasons why he became Blackpool boss a year ago and that the businessman still supports him.

When asked by BBC Radio Lancashire if Sadler is behind him, Bruce said: "I think so, I certainly feel that way.

"Look, he's one of the reasons why I came to the club. The owner is a really, really stable guy who wants his club to do well and that's the reason why I'm here.

"I want to try to help him get to where he wants to get to.

"The owner has been nothing but supportive of what I've tried to put in place.

"He certainly put his hand in his pocket to give us the squad of players, so all I can say is a big thank you to the owner."

Blackpool brought in 16 players over the summer, including the return of winger Josh Bowler on deadline day.

However, fellow winger Malcolm Ebiowei left the League One club by mutual consent earlier in September, just one month after he signed a two-year deal.

And despite Bruce's side winning just twice in all competitions so far this season - a 3-2 league win over Huddersfield last month and a 5-0 victory over Barrow in Vertu Trophy on Tuesday - striker Ashley Fletcher has insisted that the side will come good and claimed their squad has improved.

"Everything was so positive going into this season with the new players coming in," he said.

"I do believe we have a stronger squad than last season, so we just need to find that consistency.

"As soon as we get the first few results on the board, and that bit of confidence, I think we'll be fine.

"It's about us putting it together and getting the best out of each other."