Blackpool manager Neil Critchley was far from happy following his side’s 2-0 defeat to struggling Cheltenham Town the Completely-Suzuki Stadium last night.
Elliot Bonds struck in either half for the Robins, their second win in the past few days. The play-off-chasing Tangerines have taken just five points from a possible 15.
The Seasiders sit in ninth position in League One, however, they are eight points behind sixth-placed Oxford United and travel to fifth-placed Peterborough United this Saturday.
The Lancashire side have also lost star striker Jordan Rhodes to injury. Their top scorer, on loan from Huddersfield Town, has bagged 15 goals, but he hasn’t been involved since the Charlton Athletic game at the end of January.
Critchley took over from Mick McCarthy back in May 2023 and this is his second stint with Blackpool, following a two-year stint between 2020 and 2022.
The gaffer had this to say via The Blackpool Gazette:
“I’ve praised the players enough recently for their fight, but tonight we were well off it, and that’s as poor as we’ve been all season. We showed more intent at the start of the second half, but that wasn’t difficult after the first-half performance. The better team won, and that’s hard to take – that wasn’t a performance I would associate with Blackpool team while I’ve been in charge.
“Not a lot happened in the first 20 minutes of the game, but then they built a spell of momentum. Our inability to keep the ball out of the net when we’re under pressure cost us, and that’s been the case all season away from home.
“It’s probably the most work Grimmy (Dan Grimshaw) has done all season, he made some terrific saves. We had a vulnerability about us all night which is unlike us; if we don’t go to Peterborough and play better than that then the inevitable will happen.”
The upcoming double-header against Peterborough United could define their season. One of those games is in the League and the other is the EFL Trophy semi-final next Tuesday.
Writer’s View
Alarm bells have to be ringing at Blackpool, consistency appears to be a real issue this season. They’ve won 13, drawn eight and lost 11.
Neil Critchley will be hoping to get back to winning ways against fifth-placed Posh to galvanise their season. It will be tough with Jordan Rhodes out injured, but there is a slight chance he will be back for this game. Their opponents aren’t in good form either, having picked up just one point from their last four outings.
