Steve Bruce hailed a brilliant performance from his Blackpool side as they ran away for a fourth win in their last five.
The Tangerines showed their new-found form under former Aston Villa and Newcastle United boss Bruce, handily dispatching Huddersfield Town 2-0 on the road. Both goals came in the first half, with Kyle Joseph and CJ Hamilton breaking The Terriers’ defence before a resolute performance in the second half sealed all three points.
It marks a third straight win in League One, beating Exeter City and Charlton Athletic and propels them into the top half of the league ahead of welcoming Burton Albion to Bloomfield Road this weekend. They are level on points with Lincoln City who occupy the last play-off spot.
Speaking to the club’s media following the victory in Kirklees, Bruce reflected on the result. He said: “Especially in the first half we were excellent in our movement, the way we passed it, the way we played.
“The lads have been terrific so to get three on the trot is something we all hope happen, you never think it can. Absolutely delighted with them.
“The resilience we showed was much more like it to see the game through. I thought we were comfortable, of course they would have one or two opportunities. Overall, again, against a team I expect to be there or thereabouts, we’ve gone to Charlton and now Huddersfield and get two positive results, that can only do the confidence a world of good.”
Having last managed West Bromwich Albion in 2022, Bruce returned to the game with Blackpool after they dismissed Neil Critchley at the end of August. Despite a loss in his opening game to former side Sheffield Wednesday, Bruce has since kicked on with wins over two pre-season favourites.
This new job in Lancashire marks the first time Bruce has managed in the third tier of English football but has previously been an expert in securing promotions, achieving the feat four times across his career.
On how this performance can set the standards for the rest of the season, the 63-year-old added: “I hope they can get confidence from it. I think they enjoy what we’re trying to put into them, they certainly look like they’re enjoying it.
“We’ve got one or two injury worries to worry about which is not great but I suppose you get that with the number of games you play.
“They’ve got to rest and recover and get ready for the bigger game on Saturday. Now that’s the big game. It’s pointless coming here and then losing on Saturday. So we’ve got to be ready for that challenge and make sure the standards stay high.“
Writer’s View
Despite the criticisms levelled at him in his recent jobs, Steve Bruce is still a great manager in English football. He has already proven his worth in his early results at Blackpool with two huge wins to propel them away from the relegation conversation that had plagued much of the early matches of this season. New manager bounces are common occurrences in the game so Bruce now has to prove his worth over the coming months to keep The Tangerines in the playoff picture.
Huddersfield Town have struggled across recent weeks and despite still occupying a play-off place, need to find something to get them out of their rut. Games against Northampton Town and now Blackpool on paper should have been wins for the Terriers so to get nothing out of them will be a dent to their ambitions with the way the top two in Birmingham City and Wrexham are playing. A game against Blues lurks on the horizon so Michael Duff will hope his side can show some response to these setbacks against Reading to set them back on the right track.
Be the first to comment