Chris Powell says it’s crucial his Huddersfield Town players maintain their final-match focus amid expected further protests by Blackpool fans at Bloomfield Road on Saturday.
It has been a dismal season for the Seasiders, who have won only four of their 45 Championship games so far and whose relegation under ex-Town boss Lee Clark was confirmed on April 6.
In recent months, thousands have joined protests over chairman Karl Oyston’s running of the club, who were playing Premier League football in 2011.
Eggs and flares were thrown outside Bloomfield Road earlier this month while last week a group of supporters took to an open-top bus draped with banners criticising Oyston.
The chairman has denied a Football Association charge of misconduct over text messages he sent to a Tangerines fan in December.
Meanwhile, Oyston sued another supporter for £20,000 for comments he made on Facebook, but fans of Blackpool and other clubs rallied to raise the money.
Town have sold all of their 2,287 ticket allocation for a fixture, which kicks off at 12.15, as they chase a 14th win of the campaign and a fourth double.
Securing a final-day win is the only focus
“We know things may happen at the game regarding protests by the home fans, but that’s not our concern,” said Powell, who signed striker Ishmael Miller from Blackpool in February.
“My priority has to be my players and our supporters, and we are going there aiming to end the season with a win.
“Whatever is happening surrounding the match, it’s vital that we shut it out and focus on the game and trying to get the three points.”
While Miller returns to Blackpool, for whom he scored twice in 24 appearances earlier this season, Town are set to come up against former captain Peter Clarke.
The 33-year-old, who skippered Town to success in the League I play-offs in 2011-12, started his second spell at Blackpool after he was released by the John Smith’s Stadium club at the end of last season.
