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Vital Football Legend
Blackpool are well and truly making their mark back in the Championship after recording a third consecutiVe wIn That moves them into the plAy-off pLaces.
This time it was Keshi Anderson who stepped up to provide the moment of magic that was enough to snatch victory from the hands of Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in front of 2,000 boisterous Seasiders’ supporters.
However, what this match represented was the air of inevitability about Blackpool right now.
Regardless of the opponent or context of the state a match is in, Neil Critchley and his men can find a way to keep the momentum going even with their backs against the wall as they come out on top in the end.
Whether it be sheer technical domination of the football in a fluid 4-2-3-1 system as was the case in the comeback victory against Reading, the direct, physical 4-4-2 in a derby victory over Preston North End or the stubborn counter-attacking, defensive win against the Blades, Blackpool are adaptable, intelligent and confident that they will out-think their opponent.
It is a mantra that comes from the very essence of their manager, a man who already belongs a level above the Championship.
Players are willing to do whatever is asked of them simply because of the innate faith they have in their manager to pick the correct system for every opponent even if that means they drop out of the side in the process.
It is a running joke that there is little point predicting a Neil Critchley team before matches because he will always spring a surprise or two, but if supporters who watch week in week out are of that mindsight, imagine how opponents must feel.
Having that extra half yard in terms of unpredictability before any game and that inherent trust that you know Critchley will have set Blackpool up to play with their maximum potential against any opponent brings about confidence.
That confidence does not waver if an opponent puts the ball in the back of the net, nor if they score again much like Reading did and in spite of that 2-0 deficit, many still believed the Tangerines were insight to pick up points at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
A mentality of belief when on the backfoot has clearly trickled through to the very heart of the club after fans were clinging to that hope for years during their boycott battle under previous ownership.
Having a squad that embodies everything that enabled fans to emerge victorious in that battle has built a connection and an unbreakable bond that brings with it relentless support that in turn motivates Blackpool on the field bringing about that air of inevitability.
In terms of chance creation, the Seasiders offered very little against Sheffield United at the weekend and rode their luck at times. However, there are players in that squad now that can pull something out of nothing when it is most needed as Anderson showcased that in fine fashion.
The lack of chance creation does not cause alarm as much as it did in the early stages of Critchley’s time at the club because it feels like a passing phase given the system needed in order to stem the threat of recent opponents.
Of course, winning games on 0.22xG is not a sustainable platform to build from but Blackpool know this is not about to become the norm, they know however that in games where that is the case they have match-winners available to provide the difference.
Given the levels at which these players have been picked up, it speaks to the player development ability of Critchley to turn them into these prized assets.
Anderson was always seen as a good technical player but one that lacked quality in the final third at times and was relatively inconsistent before he arrived at Bloomfield Road. He is now thriving and is someone you could always rely on when the chips are down to step up.
It is not even just in a forward sense that Blackpool have these match-winners to rely on.
Richard Keogh’s signing was met with relative disdain given his poor form at Huddersfield Town where he was eventually released and given he is now 35 many questioned whether his time at Championship level was over.
A shaky start only added to those question marks but he now stands as the first name on the team sheet for most.
A commanding presence who is willing to take risks on the ball, he is the perfect partner to Marvin Ekpiteta who also serves as another match-winner when needed.
Critchley has built a machine but unlike many other perceived smaller clubs with limited resources compared to the big boys from the Premier League, the system is interchangeable, the style of play unpredictable and the harmony in spite of the rotational style is unbroken.
It is rare in this day and age that this is the case.
Barnsley’s 2020/21 campaign was a remarkable achievement to get into the play-offs, but there was no doubt about the way they were going to play week after week which in turn is similar to Sheffield United in the 2018/19 season. Critchley’s adaptability makes him a cut above the rest.
Those on the outside of the club are seeing that Blackpool are performing well thus far in the table but inside and within the fanbase there is a real sense of ‘why not?’.
Who do Blackpool have to fear now they have taken on the best in the division? Why shouldn’t they make the play-offs?
It is hard to argue when everything is so harmonious from top to bottom, from the boardroom to the stands. Blackpool are doing everything right just now and you would be a fool to bet against them achieving the impossible.
This time it was Keshi Anderson who stepped up to provide the moment of magic that was enough to snatch victory from the hands of Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in front of 2,000 boisterous Seasiders’ supporters.
However, what this match represented was the air of inevitability about Blackpool right now.
Regardless of the opponent or context of the state a match is in, Neil Critchley and his men can find a way to keep the momentum going even with their backs against the wall as they come out on top in the end.
Whether it be sheer technical domination of the football in a fluid 4-2-3-1 system as was the case in the comeback victory against Reading, the direct, physical 4-4-2 in a derby victory over Preston North End or the stubborn counter-attacking, defensive win against the Blades, Blackpool are adaptable, intelligent and confident that they will out-think their opponent.
It is a mantra that comes from the very essence of their manager, a man who already belongs a level above the Championship.
Players are willing to do whatever is asked of them simply because of the innate faith they have in their manager to pick the correct system for every opponent even if that means they drop out of the side in the process.
“I have tremendous faith in the gaffer, even if he had said I’m not picking you for this one like he did on Tuesday (Reading game) saying ‘I don’t think it’s the game for you’,” Gary Madine said after the derby day victory over Preston.
That mentality runs right through the club whether it be the playing squad, staff or fans as a whole.It is a running joke that there is little point predicting a Neil Critchley team before matches because he will always spring a surprise or two, but if supporters who watch week in week out are of that mindsight, imagine how opponents must feel.
Having that extra half yard in terms of unpredictability before any game and that inherent trust that you know Critchley will have set Blackpool up to play with their maximum potential against any opponent brings about confidence.
That confidence does not waver if an opponent puts the ball in the back of the net, nor if they score again much like Reading did and in spite of that 2-0 deficit, many still believed the Tangerines were insight to pick up points at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
A mentality of belief when on the backfoot has clearly trickled through to the very heart of the club after fans were clinging to that hope for years during their boycott battle under previous ownership.
Having a squad that embodies everything that enabled fans to emerge victorious in that battle has built a connection and an unbreakable bond that brings with it relentless support that in turn motivates Blackpool on the field bringing about that air of inevitability.
In terms of chance creation, the Seasiders offered very little against Sheffield United at the weekend and rode their luck at times. However, there are players in that squad now that can pull something out of nothing when it is most needed as Anderson showcased that in fine fashion.
The lack of chance creation does not cause alarm as much as it did in the early stages of Critchley’s time at the club because it feels like a passing phase given the system needed in order to stem the threat of recent opponents.
Of course, winning games on 0.22xG is not a sustainable platform to build from but Blackpool know this is not about to become the norm, they know however that in games where that is the case they have match-winners available to provide the difference.
Given the levels at which these players have been picked up, it speaks to the player development ability of Critchley to turn them into these prized assets.
Anderson was always seen as a good technical player but one that lacked quality in the final third at times and was relatively inconsistent before he arrived at Bloomfield Road. He is now thriving and is someone you could always rely on when the chips are down to step up.
It is not even just in a forward sense that Blackpool have these match-winners to rely on.
Richard Keogh’s signing was met with relative disdain given his poor form at Huddersfield Town where he was eventually released and given he is now 35 many questioned whether his time at Championship level was over.
A shaky start only added to those question marks but he now stands as the first name on the team sheet for most.
A commanding presence who is willing to take risks on the ball, he is the perfect partner to Marvin Ekpiteta who also serves as another match-winner when needed.
Critchley has built a machine but unlike many other perceived smaller clubs with limited resources compared to the big boys from the Premier League, the system is interchangeable, the style of play unpredictable and the harmony in spite of the rotational style is unbroken.
It is rare in this day and age that this is the case.
Barnsley’s 2020/21 campaign was a remarkable achievement to get into the play-offs, but there was no doubt about the way they were going to play week after week which in turn is similar to Sheffield United in the 2018/19 season. Critchley’s adaptability makes him a cut above the rest.
Those on the outside of the club are seeing that Blackpool are performing well thus far in the table but inside and within the fanbase there is a real sense of ‘why not?’.
Who do Blackpool have to fear now they have taken on the best in the division? Why shouldn’t they make the play-offs?
It is hard to argue when everything is so harmonious from top to bottom, from the boardroom to the stands. Blackpool are doing everything right just now and you would be a fool to bet against them achieving the impossible.
