Ian Evatt believes that Blackpool’s FA Cup tie at Hornchurch on Saturday will prove to be a test of the Seasiders’ professionalism.

The first round proper of this season’s competition sees Evatt’s players heading to the Hornchurch Stadium to face National League opponents.

Evatt and his coaching team had the ideal chance to assess their hosts last Friday, when they were beaten 3-1 at AFC Fylde.

That defeat at Mill Farm was their third straight league loss, leaving them 15th in the National League table and yet to draw any of their 16 matches so far this season.

However, they did pick up a midweek victory when defeating West Ham United’s U21s in the National League Cup.

Asked what Blackpool can expect, based on last week’s scouting mission, Evatt is under no illusion as to the task facing his players.

“I think they are a team that are extremely strong from set plays,” he said.

“If you look at the set play record, the data, it’s very, very good which is kind of par for the course at the moment with everything that we deal with.

“I think they have some players that have played in the Football League, especially at the top end of the pitch; there’s experience there.

“I believe, as always, if we can perform to a level which I know we can get to, then we will make it very difficult for them.

“It’s about us being professional in all aspects; professional the minute we walk into the stadium, professional the minute we walk out and everything else that’s in between.

“If we can do that, then I’m hopeful we can be through to the next round.”

Saturday’s game is one of 22 round one ties where an EFL team faces non-league opposition.

That is something Evatt thinks should be celebrated as a long-term fan of the FA Cup: be it as a supporter, player or head coach.

He said: “I love this game. The FA Cup is a big part of my football life; growing up watching the FA Cup as a kid in Coventry, Coventry winning the FA Cup against Tottenham, what that did for Coventry as a city, the memories that gave me as a child.

“I started my (head coaching) career in the National League, so I’m humbled by National League clubs having this opportunity of playing League clubs.

“It’s how the game should be and I know how hard it will be. It will be a really tough game.

“They are in the National League for a reason and the National League’s a much better level than people give it credit for.

“There’s a lot of ex-League players in their team. The stadium is something that we’re going to have to deal with, something that we’ve not been used to; not that we’re above that, we’re looking forward to having that challenge.

“We’ve seen a lot of them and, as always, we’ll be as diligent as ever to prepare the team as best we can.”