Pool Panel - Watford (h) 2-2

Another point rescued from the jaws of defeat, but in all truth, we should never have been in that situation.  Once again, costly defensive errors gave us a mountain to climb.  Appleton has to continue working with the defence to act as a unit; individually they are decent players but time and time again silly mistakes cost us.

Watford had four shots at goal on Saturday and scored with two of them.  It’s the same old story for Blackpool and until we resolve the defensive conundrum we will continue to have to do more than we need to.

After a first half in which we gave away a two goal lead, at least we had the resolve and the ability to rescue a point.  The introduction of Osbourne into midfield gave us a real platform to build from and we were always threatening in the second half.  If only we could do that for 90 minutes; we are due to give someone a real hammering.  The resilience in the side meant we plugged away and got our reward deep into stoppage time for the second week running.

While still finding his feet, Appleton has identified where our strengths and weaknesses lie.  Hopefully he can get the best out of the squad which remains one which can challenge in the higher echelons of the Division.  I hope he can find the right blend starting on Tuesday against Birmingham.

STARMAN: Nathan Delfuenso

Pool Panel - Bristol City (away) Draw 1-1

A long trip to Ashton Gate was eventually rewarded with us gaining another point.  When it gets to injury time and you’re losing, a point is a fair result, but in all truth, this game should have been sewn up before then.  I thought we missed the promptings of Taylor-Fletcher and Phillips, and as a result, we never quite clicked despite having the better of the game.

Most of the action was in the Bristol half of the pitch, but we never quite made clear enough chances, with Grandin in particular, anonymous, after a few decent performances from him.  Their keeper was man of the match with a string of great saves, one in particular from Tom Ince, when the ball came back off the post from a shot by Delfuenso.

The positive to be taken was that we moved up the table and closer to the play off positions and there are signs that we’re not far off being back to our best.  In my opinion, it comes down to confidence, and only a decent win will give the side that self-belief.  If we can score first in a game then I’m sure we’ll go on to win comfortably.

This was effectively Appleton’s first game in charge with his ideas in development.  Early indications are that we will be harder to beat away from home, with a tighter defensive shape, but we still have the players to counterattack to good effect.  Ince in particular scared them all afternoon.

Two home games now give us a real chance to get wins and move up.

STARMAN: Thomas Ince

Next Meeting - Barnsley - 25th November

The next Yorkshire Seasiders meeting will be held in in Barnsley at the Old Number 7 pub. 

The Old No.7 is an excellent place with a superb range of beers available – and more importantly it is run by a Blackpool fan!

The Old No.7 is conveniently located for the Train Station and should hopefully make it easier for those located in the South of Yorkshire to attend.

http://www.oldno7barnsley.co.uk/

This will be our annual general meeting, where we vote on appointments to the board for the year going forward.  Phil and I will circulate a report on our activities for the year ahead of the meeting and a proposed agenda in advance. 

It would be great if as many people as possible could attend.

Pool Panel - Sheff Wed (away) won 2-0 & Bolton (home) draw 2-2

The start of a new era with four points from two games.  On Tuesday night, we were over the shock of the departure and played like we all know we are capable of, comfortably beating Wednesday on their own pitch under the tutelage of Steve Thompson.  We put on a real midfield passing show, with Grandin and Sylvestre pulling the strings and Ince and Phillips terrorising their fullbacks.

The following day saw the unveiling of Michael Appleton as the new manager.  I wish him all the best for the future.  He comes into a set up with a good squad of players who, with a little direction, can be a force in this Division.  I don’t envisage wholesale changes, just some input into defensive organisation which will make all the difference.

In his first game in charge, Appleton would have seen that we are dangerous going forward, scoring two goals, including a beauty from Ince, and possibly deserving more.  Yet again, two calamitous errors cost us at the other end as first Baptiste and then Crainey made mistakes allowing the opposition to score, where they didn’t really create a lot all afternoon.

At least we showed that we are resilient, coming back twice to draw level.  The squad has the ability and I see no reason why we can’t be involved at the end of the season.  With a week to get to know his players, next Saturday will be the first when he can put his own stamp on things.  Interesting times.

STARMAN:  Ludo Sylvestre (Sheffield)

STARMAN: Tom Ince (Bolton) 

Pool Panel - Forest (home) Draw 2-2 and Brighton (home) Draw 1-1

Two home games in a week and two points to show for them, but the performances are showing a distinct improvement.  On Tuesday against Forest we again shot ourselves in the foot with poor defending but showed great resilience to turn it round only to drop two points through a lack of communication.  That repeated itself on Saturday as a shambolic goal allowed Brighton an undeserved foothold in the game.

However, all in all, I’m confident that a corner has been turned as we also played some excellent football going forward, only to squander numerous chances.   Without a doubt, we thoroughly deserved all three points on Saturday.  For me, it’s down to a lack of confidence, as the same players were scoring freely earlier in the season when confidence was high.  It’ll only take an early goal for us to go on and hammer someone soon.

A major distraction has been the unwanted speculation about Ollie’s future.  The sooner the likes of Blackburn, Burnley, Crystal Palace and even Ipswich appoint someone the better, so long as it’s not our man.  I see it as a case of unfinished business for Mr Holloway with us.  The team are on the cusp of returning to our earlier form and I genuinely believe that we can go straight up, and that he is the man to deliver that.

The sooner that is resolved, the better for the club and we can get back to winning matches in our customary exhilarating style.

STARMAN: Gary Taylor-Fletcher (Forest)

STARMAN: Elliot Grandin (Brighton)

Pool Panel - Burnley (a) Lost 1-0 ...

Although the final result shows another defeat, I thought that we acquitted ourselves better at Burnley, especially in the second half.  It’s frustrating that yet again we conceded to a back post header but at least we had our own chances, and if GTF had scored instead of the keeper making a wonder save, I don’t think anyone would have argued that we were value for a point.

It’s all too easy to get carried away as a fan, so every defeat seems the end of the world, while every victory is a sign that we are going to be champions.  If we take the positives from the game into the Forest match, then I’m sure we can turn round this slump in form and get right back into the promotion mix.

I’d like to see an unchanged side, as it seemed to take the first half for the team to settle into any kind of rhythm.  For whatever reason, we seemed to be taking time to size up situations, by which time, the moment had passed.  All too often we were seeing the right ball to play, but the execution was off. It all comes down to fine margins.  Earlier in the season we were slick and fast moving; now there is hesitancy.   Football the way we try and play is all about confidence, and at the moment we are just slightly off it.

Keep the faith and fully support the team on Tuesday night.

STARMAN: Matthew Gilks

Away Travel - Bristol City Away - 17th November

Bristol City Away – November 17^th

With the international break upon us, and the away trips immediately after being quite local, the next mini-bus planned is for the game against Bristol City on November 17th.  Please let Phil or Charlie know if you would like to attend and we will get in touch with arrangements closer to the time.  

The Burnley game is a 5.20pm kick off - a few of us were thinking about meeting in Leeds before hand and having a few drinks before catching the train to the game - please let us know if you would like to join.