Blackpool vs. Barnsley a perspective from the adversary
In League One this Saturday, Barnsley hosts Blackpool. Last time out, both teams prevailed, with the Reds defeating Northampton 2-1 behind goals from Callum Styles and the league’s leading scorer, Devante Cole. Blackpool defeated Reading handily at home 4-1 due to a hat-trick from Jordan Rhodes.
We enlisted the help of Blackpool podcast and blog Up The Mighty Pool to gain some insight into the Seasiders’ current campaign and identify potential threats for the Tykes.
Blackpool, like Barnsley, has had a few yo-yo seasons between the Championship and League One. This season, there were hopes for a speedy ascent to the second division or perhaps a season of stability.Fans believe that rather than the strength of the team and owner Simon Sadler’s investment, we lost our Championship status due to poor off-field administration.
We had a strong enough team to stay in the division—one that placed 16th the season before—but our lack of identity, passion, and drive to compete in the division resulted from the shocking appointments of Michael Appleton and then Mick McCarthy, failed transfer windows, and the sale of Josh Bowler. In light of Neil Critchley’s reappointment and subsequent success, the goal is for an immediate returnAfter previously departing to assist Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa, manager Neil Critchley came back. How have the public reacted to his return?
.At first, it resembled getting your ex back after she cheated on you with a half-decent-looking guy wearing a beautiful suit. We all wanted him to fail at Villa, and we had tremendous pleasure from seeing it happen on Match of the Day for two months while he stood hopelessly with his earpiece in. He was never going to have enough time at QPR, thus he was ultimately forced to look for employment elsewhere. In the summer, everything just fell into place.
He was unquestionably the greatest choice for the job of leading this team and achieving our shared objective of leaving this division. On the first day of the season, when we defeated Burton at home, I thought it was a little early to be pumping fists and tapping badges, but the early going has given me hope that, like last time, he’ll manage the group effectively and we’ll get better as the year progresses. We may forgive and forget as long as he is successful, much like a successful marriage to an ex-girlfriend who may have erred in the distant past.
How did Critchley’s second term begin?
We have the best home record in the division with 11 points from 5 games and have gone undefeated thus far. I touched on it there, but it’s fair to say it’s been very mixed. However, we appeared overly defensive, and Critchley correctly noted that moving forward, we still need to find the ideal ‘balance’ between defensive steadfastness (which we excelled at during his prior term) and creativity. We have a goal-scoring machine at this level in Jordan Rhodes, and we appear to be gradually releasing the brakes on team selections. The game on Saturday will be a crucial test since we haven’t quite done that away from home.
What are your expectations for this Blackpool team, despite the fact that it is still early in the season?
With a strong likelihood of placing in the top six, I would expect to be there. With a late run to the Play-Offs, we did so brilliantly in 2021 and on numerous occasions during our history that it is not about how you start but how you end. We anticipate Barnsley to be in a situation similar to our own, and I’m confident that your early success will inspire you to believe that you deserve to compete at the top of the division.
On Saturday, which Blackpool players should we keep an eye out for?
One of them is Jordan Rhodes, who would have five goals in three starts for the Tangerines had it not been for a goal at Wycombe that was incorrectly deemed to be “offside.” He’ll almost certainly score on Saturday, and he’s unquestionably important. In addition to him, we have CJ Hamilton, who is all-speed and can wreck havoc when up against a defense one on one. If he has one of his good games, you can be in danger if you don’t double up on him because he either produces a 3/10 or a 9/10. Ollie Norburn, a summertime recruit from Peterborough who serves as our captain and sets the tone, deserves one last mention.
on the midfield. He will oversee the game.
Give us your estimated score.
We don’t really enjoy playing at Oakwell, and we have yet to pick up an away victory. Having stated that, I must back up what I say by betting on a 2-1 victory. Best wishes for the coming season!
Source of the image: Blackpool Gazette
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