Blackpool striker Kyle Joseph has shared his frustrations over injuries and inconsistency throughout the 2023/24 League One campaign.
Joseph joined the Seasiders from Swansea in the summer transfer window and has made just 18 appearances in all competitions this season. The Scottish forward made his Blackpool debut in the 2-0 EFL Cup win at Derby in early August before sustaining a hamstring injury that ruled him out until November.
Since returning in early November, Joseph has struggled to hold down a regular starting spot under Neil Critchley, with just nine stars. However, the 22-year-old has contributed when selected with two goals and four assists.
The Scottish player struck his second goal of the campaign in Blackpool’s 3-2 FA Cup home defeat to Nottingham Forest in January. That contribution led to a run of seven consecutive starts, including a standout performance in the Seasiders’2-1 win at Bristol Rovers, where he contributed two assists.
Joseph was benched for Blackpool’s 4-1 home win over play-off chasing rivals Bolton on Saturday, although he came off the bench at half time to replace Shayne Lavery.
When speaking to the Blackpool Gazette after the Bolton victory, Joseph feels that he has more to offer in the Tangerines’ play-off push. The former Scotland under-21 international also believes that he is nearing full fitness and form and is hopeful of more goal contributions later in the 2023/24 campaign.
“It’s been frustrating, I want more goals and more assists than what I’ve got at the minute,”
“The injury affected me at the start, but I feel as if I’m coming into my own now. I’m feeling really good in myself, but it’s just about the end bit now. It’s just about putting everything together, once I get a couple of goals under my belt I think I’ll go on a run.”
Writer’s View
It has been a frustrating period for Joseph at Bloomfield Road and the striker’s omission for the Bolton match may be a sign of his continued backup role. Jake Beesley and Lavery – the duo who started against Bolton last time out – appear to be Critchley’s preferred front two at present.
Ultimately, Joseph needs to start scoring goals to hold down a starting spot in Blackpool’s front two, as he has not scored since his cup goal against Forest. With top scorer Jordan Rhodes also out for the foreseeable future, there is an opportunity awaiting Jospeh to fire himself into contention, but he must make an impression with goals when given the chance.
