After a standoffish first half in the 1-0 defeat to Swansea, Blackpool came out much more improved and played some decent football. The sustained pressure didn’t fall for them and Swansea were able to counter on the break and nick a sickening goal to claim all three points. But, I want to address more than a lucky three points from a team who kept possession but rarely threatened, in this blog.
There’s several things I feel I need to get of my chest, and I know some others will agree, for those that maybe quick to dismiss or disagree please hear me out on this one!
The past couple of years with Simon Sadler, Ben Mansford and Neil Critchley have been wonderful; we successfully won promotion, played an established brand of football and have made a number of improvements off the pitch.
Michael Appleton
It was always going to be difficult replacing Critchley. He seemed to understand the club straight away, was onboard with the project and was an exciting young manager. I know some were disappointed when we appointed Appleton, I myself joked about it in a video I gave, before he was even linked. So for me it was a shock – and not a good one. However, we know the previous regime in who he had to work with so I do not begrudge him one second for abandonding ship back in 2013. Yes, he should have done his homework on what he was getting himself in for, but I’ll put that down to being a young manager and slightly naive. Appleton is a great coach, he has a great CV and the board clearly thought it was the best decision to employ him. Let’s give him time, not get on his back and at least let’s give him a few games to assert his style of play from this squad.
Remember how long it took Critchley to get things working?
A slow start to the season isn’t something new for us under Simon Sadler. Remember back in League One – three games in Critchley’s first full season, we also had three points and had lost 1-0 to Plymouth and 2-0 to Gillingham. Both weaker opposition than Stoke and Swansea respectively who not long ago were both in the Premier League. Below is the Championship table after Critchley’s first seven games, too. So let’s not press the panic button too quickly this time when we have a new manager, new objectives and ambitions.
The Players
I was horrified last night to see Josh Bowler, our talisman for last year and our continued best creative outlet, feel the need to take to social media to apologise for his display.
Bowler is constantly receiving praise for well-respected pundits, fans and other players. He is wonderfully gifted and has certainly won us more games than he has lost us. As mentioned last night in our tweet we would have felt he deserved a bit of leeway considering just how good he has been for us.
I have heard rumours of fans offering their thoughts and abuse as he had walked down the tunnel. That has never been what Blackpool fans are about. Ever. Don’t be that person, we don’t want that in our football club. Blackpool fans are about continued positive support, even when the chips are down, that rival managers talk about, players eulogise over and opposition fans rate, time-after-time.
The Board – (Sadler included)
Do we not think that the board are doing their best? Do you not think the board have Blackpool’s best interest at heart? Sadler has not just said it but also shown through actions multiple times. His own money is being put into the club to improve it and develop it. Yes, we are supporting where we can, yes recruitment hasn’t been the best this season but stop thinking the grass is greener. It isn’t. We have a great owner, who cares and is doing his best. That’s more than we’ve ever had.
So yes, I have to address this:
To the fan or collective that thought it wise to get into an altercation with Sadler, what are you doing? I’d be issuing an apology ASAP. If I was Sadler, I would honestly be in two minds to walk away from this. Do you really think he needs that? Negativity breeds negativity. As with giving it to the players and manager. On the whole, the majority of fans get this right but it only takes a senseless few to ruin it.
I wanted to highlight some of the positive adjustments the board have made. Hopefully, to remind ourselves what we have. Don’t forget we lost Critchley out of nowhere and wanted the transition to be smoother. I know mistakes have been made in the transfer market but I still believe the board are doing their best. So here they are, a breakdown of pro’s and con’s in what Sadler and the board have managed to achieve thus far.
| Pro’s | Con’s |
| Took over a neglected facilities and improved them | Failed to secure targets after multiple bids |
| Kept the club operating during covid | Charged for young mascott’s (have since tried to retify) |
| Appointed new positions / personnal | Did not accept cheaper away tickets (Business decision) |
| Got Blackpool Promoted to the Championship | PR/Communication (It has not always been the best) |
| Signed young talent on longer deals | |
| Heneiken and Moretti Lounges to improve experience at Bloomfield Rd | |
| Secured new area of development for training facilities | |
| Community projects, christmas presents etc. | |
And, that’s just to name a few. We are professionally run, we are in the Championship, we are trying to secure the best up-and-coming targets who fit our model. I’d rather us be linked with a high calibre of players who will make us better, even if we missed out on them, than journey men of the past that we have become accustomed to over the years. To use the club’s term, we are in an “arm wrestle” with some big clubs who have us in a finacial stronghold (Sunderland and Cardiff to name a few). We’ll always struggle to compete with these clubs and have to attract them in other ways – hence the £30m+ investment in infrastructure.
Let’s be pragmatic and patient in our approach. Let’s remember where we have come from and let’s give them atleast an opportunity to get things done before we are calling for heads after three games in.
I want to enjoy this season no matter what happens, the constant negativity isn’t helping anyone. Back your team: win, lose or draw.
#utmp
utmp - Up The Mighty Pool 
I don’t agree with verbally abusing Sadler (or anyone else) but he has to have thick enough skin to accept constructive criticism. He isn’t beyond criticism BUT we only know very little about what goes on behind the scenes. As you say, PR and communication have at times not been good enough but there is a fine line between being evasive and not conducting one’s business in the public domain. Unfortunately, missing out on Bishop – not bothered about that one – Simms, Brannagan, and so on become rather public, and whether or not we were at fault regarding these they does not paint the club in a positive light.
On the field I would say that there may be trouble ahead if we cannot upgrade on Lubala, Virtue, Hamilton, Carey, and Corbeanu. Garbutt is surplus to requirements but I would rather go for the likes of Joe Lolley, Lewis Grabban, and Paddy Lane than Charlie Kirk. For all his endeavour Yates is not and never will be good enough for this level but if he is to be persisted with, Appleton (and Yates) would be better served playing two up front with Madine or similar and Yates (or Lavery) playing close to each other. It cannot be underestimated how much we miss Anderson.
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A well thought through, intelligent commentary, thank you.
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Well said. The booing was embarrassing last Saturday and like you said, negativity breeds negativity and will affect players’ confidence.
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Interesting comments yes. But hang on a minute lets go back to the end of last season poor run in and heavy defeats to DERBY andPETERBOROUGH and no sign of BOWLER fast foreward a couple of weeks and Critchley has thrown his toys out of the pram. Something does n ot seam quite right. But hay ho the board have pulled a rabbit dose not read wellout of the hat and appointed that old Pool favourite Applleton on a four year contract .A handful of new signings and a few loanes 2 of wich would be languishing in Premiere league under 21 teams and a promise of an attacking 4 3 3 system was the inducement for season ticket holders..Fast foreward to today and what are the results 4games played 1 win 3 losses only one goal scored in open play./Ihate to critiisiise having been a POOL supporter for 69 years but the appointment of Appeton does not read well for me lets hope things improve in the comeing weekst
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Totally agree with summary Dan, survival is key and I doubt that is not the key objective for Sadler, Mansford and Appleton. I appreciate that Bowler recognises his part in the defeat yesterday. I will judge 10 games into the campaign on the squad and manager performance. I saw an improvement in tactics yesterday and thought Appleton’s summary was spot on.
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Very well said.
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I’m as disappointed as anybody after yesterdays defeat. Starting the season with 2 defeats in 3 and – perhaps more worryingly – just one goal is a real concern.
But, with any transition and new project it needs to be given time to show results. Three games in isn’t enough time for Appleton to impose his style and ethics into the team.
Just watch the latest All or Nothing and Arteta was getting volumes of criticism after a dismal start to the season. Yet this is probably the best young manager in the Premier League if not beyond. And look where they’ve come in a very short space of time.
So here here to what you’ve said above.
Up The Pool.
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