Ian Evatt joined the Seasiders in 2006

The former Derby and QPR player, who joined the Seasiders in 2006, helped them to promotion in his first season.

And he told BBC Radio Lancashire that Blackpool are getting to grips with the competitive nature of the league.

"Every week there are massive games," said Evatt. "But we've more than enough to stay up".

Evatt, who formed an impressive defensive partnership with Michael Jackson during Blackpool's promotion season, feels the Seasiders are hitting form just at the right time.

"We are full of confidence at the moment," he said. "We beat Leicester and went to Hull City and matched them.

We will just keep grafting away and working hard. I think we can finish mid-table Ian Evatt

"A point anywhere away from home in the Championship is a good result really. We've got to keep our home record going and keep our spirits high".

Blackpool returned to the second tier of English football for the first time since 1978 via last season's League One play-offs. And Evatt believes they have adapted well to life in the Championship.

"Every week there are big games and hopefully we'll just keep grafting away and working hard in training like we do.

"I think we can finish mid-table".

The 26-year-old is certainly a lot happier with life than now than when he picked up a medial knee ligament injury in September, missing over two months of the season.

But he made his return to the side in the Lancashire derby against Preston North End in early December. And he admits that he is enjoying the challenge of playing in what is such a testing league - especially for defenders.

"There are very few non busy games for me," said Evatt. "There are plenty of big money centre forwards in the league but that's what we pride ourselves on.