Analysis: The Curse of the Back Three

Blackpool’s form has tailed off recently, dropping to 17th in the Championship. We’ve analysed our performances over the last few games compared to those in our previous good run and found that the number of defenders is a key issue. A bad run We look like a cursed side at the moment, having played seven

Analysis: Cats and Dogs living Harmony? Examining Blackpool’s centre-backs

This is the third article in a series looking at Blackpool’s set-up across the pitch. The previous pieces looked at how Blackpool replicate the world’s elite by attacking with five players and use an effective “double pivot” in midfield. In this article, we’ll look at Blackpool’s centre-back partnership through the analogy of household pets. Are

Analysis: Blackpool’s pivotal midfield

This is the second in a series looking at Blackpool’s tactics in all aspects of the game. The previous piece, published in September, looked at how Blackpool replicate the world’s elite by attacking with five players. In this article, we’ll look at Blackpool’s midfield – and how we use a double pivot to get the

Analysis: The Tactical Tools that beat Fulham

Fulham came into Bloomfield Road as runaway favourites to win the Championship. They were freshly relegated from the Premier League, had spent more than every other team combined and have a young, exciting manager in Marco Silva. Blackpool, newly-promoted, were yet to win a game and sitting within the relegation zone. But Fulham left with

Analysis: “High Five” – how Blackpool attack like the world’s best teams

Blackpool are sitting in the Championship relegation zone, are winless in the league and have crashed out of the Carabao Cup. Neil Critchley’s squad has not started 2020/21 as an elite side – although they are playing like it. In their performances this season, the Seasiders have consistently attacked goal with a structure shared by

Opinion: The Case for Optimism

Blackpool sit just above the relegation zone, having only one point from nine and having lost two consecutive home games. Isaac Selley discusses why the start of the season been so underwhelming and why we should feel positive moving forward. As I stood in the North stand after the final whistle blew on our defeat

Player Profile: Tyreece John-Jules

Neil Critchley’s experience and connections at the Premier League U-23 level continue to pay-off; securing the services of Arsenal’s Tyreece John-Jules for a season long-loan. The 20-year-old, who spent last season with Doncaster Rovers in League One, has also had a loan spell with Lincoln City. It was with Lincoln where he scored his first

Review – Eastbourne 0-3 Blackpool

Blackpool put in a comfortable, convincing display to breeze past Eastbourne Borough to book their place in the 2nd round of the FA Cup. The Seasiders weren’t able to take advantage of their chances in the first half, despite a dominant display. However, they pulled ahead of their National League South opponents through a fine double from Gary Madine, before Jerry Yates sealed it to make it three wins a row for the Bloomfield Road side.

Preview – Eastbourne Borough vs Blackpool

Blackpool will be looking to continue their run of consecutive victories as they face non-league side Eastbourne Borough in the FA Cup 1st round. The Seasiders will be away from home at a controversially empty ground after all FA Cup 1st round fixtures were banned from having spectators. Neil Critchley will potentially look to rotate his side ahead of fixtures against Peterborough and Doncaster to come. However, with an EFL trophy fixture in midweek too, he may chose to keep the momentum going and go full strength.

Review – Blackpool 1-0 Wigan

Blackpool achieved successive victories for the first time this season after beating Wigan Athletic 1-0 at Bloomfield Road. Sullay Kaikai was the second half match winner with an instinctive finish in what was a relatively comfortable night for the Seasiders. The Latics came into the game more in the second half as Neil Critchley’s side sat off into a defensive shape, but the Tangerines managed the game well and made it nine points out of a possible twelve in the League.