Pool Panel - Leicester (h) drew 3-3 & Reading (a) Lost 3-1

This week has highlighted Blackpool’s biggest flaw.  While we are always liable to score at any time, we are also prone to mistakes that cost us goals.  We are streets ahead in the table that lists the teams who show resolve in coming back from a setback, but frustratingly, it’s frequently of our own making.

On both Wednesday night and at Reading, we conceded totally unnecessary goals as a consequence of poor individual decision making, allowing routine set pieces to be our undoing.  Against Leicester we were able to muster the firepower to get ourselves back into the game, but it was a step too far against a solid, well organised Reading side, hence the defeat.

In both games, Gilks didn’t have a lot to do, yet we contrived to concede six goals.  That ratio has to improve from now on or ultimately we will fail in our goal of a return to the Premier League.

Ever since Michael Jackson retired we have lacked a vocal organiser at the back, in effect having four individuals in defence rather than a cohesive unit.  As a consequence, when one does switch off we are unable to react and concede cheap goals.  Someone needs to step up in defence and take responsibility to organise.  Manage that, and we are still well placed to achieve our aim.

As a consequence of the angst about the defence, we mustn’t lose sight of a fantastic goal at Reading by Lua Lua.  Goal of the season.

STARMAN:  Kevin Phillips (Leicester)

STARMAN: Lomano Tresor Lua Lua (Reading)

Pool Panel - Brighton (h) Won 3-1

Sunday 18th March 2012 - Brighton at Home

What a difference a win makes. After a fortnight of negativity around the club it took a win in a crucial game to restore some normality and optimism to Pool supporters. Going into the game, there was a sense that the season might be slipping away after the furore over the dividend to Owen, the hotel bill issue last week and two defeats, plus bad publicity following a contract offer to Robbie Fowler deemed to be derisory. To then go a goal behind following slipshod defending of a set piece could have really set us back.

However, the team responded magnificently to really go after a good Brighton side undefeated in 2012. Two goals in the first half was scant reward for some irresistible attacking play that carved them open time and time again. I thought the return of Southern helped the midfield to look a lot more solid and with good movement from Ince in particular we got back to looking the part again.

The sending off of Jara for a two footed lunge on Southern played its part and took off the pressure and we looked comfortable, topped off by another goal from Kevin Phillips. He is so consistent at doing what he does and is providing an invaluable contribution with his goals.

Wednesday now becomes another huge match for us. If we can take another three points it basically removes them from the play off picture. The crowd were hugely supportive on Saturday and need to repeat that.

STAR MAN: Kevin Phillips

Next Meeting - Leeds - 22nd April

The next Yorkshire Seasiders meeting will take place at the Scarborough Taps in Leeds on Sunday 22nd April , the day after our home match with Burnley.

The meeting will start at 13:00 and we shall discuss plans for merchandise, new season badges, a summer activity (and hopefully transport for the playoffs).

The Scarborough Taps is located on Bishopgate in Leeds and is a 1 minute walk from the station.  If you need directions please see the following link:

Scarborough Taps

Look forward to seeing you there!

Reading Away Travel

Reading away Saturday 24th March

We are running a mini bus to Reading away on March 24th.  We currently have 12 takers but there is room for a few more.

Departure times are as follows: 8.30am departure from Leeds with a pick up at Sheffield Meadowhall for 9.00am and then as need be along the route. Price is expected to be £15 (there or thereabouts).

If you are interested in travelling on the YS express, please contact Phil or Charlie.

Pool Panel - Derby and Peterborough

Sunday 11th March - Derby (a) Lost 2-1 & Peterborough (a) Lost 3-1

It’s been a bad week, on and off the field. The fallout from the publishing of the accounts has meant a negative spotlight from the national media, which can’t have helped the team’s frame of mind going into two big away games.

Tuesday night, we started brightly enough, scoring early but then failing to capitalise and eventually succumbed to two set pieces that were avoidable and then defended badly. That trait continued on Saturday, when we were never in the game. In all honesty, without Gilks in fine form it could have been five or six. Again, we conceded from a soft free kick. Time and time again, we look like we have no idea with our own set pieces, and cannot deal with the opposition’s. That has to be a concern since the back four at Peterborough was arguably our best line up.

For whatever reason, we have lost our spark. Despite all that, we are still in the promotion mix. I’ll take the view that it’s better to have a bad patch now than at the end of the season. We need to rediscover the shape and style that saw us do so well and so recently, hold our nerve and push on to the end of the season.

Fans have a huge part to play. There is a real sense of discontent over the dividend paid to Owen. Whatever happens, we cannot allow that to affect the team and manager, but give them maximum backing between now and the end of the season.

STARMAN (Derby): Matt Gilks

STARMAN (Peterborough): Matt Gilks

Pool Panel - Hull City (h) Draw 1-1

Friday felt like a defeat and is definitely two points dropped as we dominated for much of the game before conceding so late on.  Of course, we have been doing that to teams all season long, so there had to be a time when we were on the other end.

For once, we came flying out of the traps and could easily have been a few goals to the good by half time.  That continued in the second half with the keeper making great saves, in particular one from Kevin Phillips.  When all you have to show for such a dominant display is a fantastic finish from Ince, then there is always a danger that you will concede.

For once, I didn’t think the substitutions helped us, as we no longer won the longer balls once Bednar came off.  In addition, Fleck seemed to struggle to get into the speed of the game.  We seemed to sit deeper and deeper for the last fifteen minutes and that simply invited Hull to press on and eventually nick an underserved point.

However, the performance for much of the game has to give cause for optimism; play like that every week and it will result in far more wins than anything else.

In other news, I’m sure most fans wouldn’t begrudge the Oystons getting some return on their investment over the last decades, but to remove £11 million when we still have antiquated training facilities is bad PR at the very least.

STAR MAN:  Keith Southern