I’M CALLING THE SHOTS – CLARK

Blackpool boss hits back

BLACKPOOL manager Lee Clark has reacted furiously to claims that he is under the thumb of chairman Karl Oyston.

The former Newcastle player hit out after receiving abuse from Seasiders supporters following his side’s midweek mauling at the hands of Brentford.

Offensive

And with Blackpool’s plight at the foot of the Championship worsening following yesterday’s 3-1 home defeat by Wigan, Clark, pictured right, is adamant that fans should be getting behind their team rather than criticis- ing his relationship with Oyston.

“If people want to label me things then that’s fine. But if you’re going to shout at me offensively, don’t think I’m just going to ignore it,” the 42-year-old raged.

“If people do, they need to back up what they are saying with facts.

“Why a manager who is giving everything to try and change things and has got a team trying to play with a bit of fight is getting abuse I don’t know. “I’ve come here to try and help Blackpool and do something which would have been incredible. “It’s not because I met with Karl Oyston and agreed to do it his way.” Clark is keen to reject suggestions that he has allowed the chairman to influence his management of the team.

“It seems to stem from people thinking Karl Oyston picks the team or that I give him an easy ride, it couldn’t be further from the truth,” he added.

“I don’t wash my dirty linen in public. If I’ve had an issue with the chairman I’ve knocked on his door and told him.

“I don’t go running to the media or let people know in public that there’s a problem, I much prefer to deal with things man to man.

“That’s the way I was brought up by my father, in the east end of Newcastle where I had to fight for everything.”