Blackpool manager Steve Bruce insists that this afternoon’s performance was ‘arguably the best we played’, despite losing 1-0 at Northampton Town.
The Tangerines began the campaign hoping to build on a positive end to last season, with a place in the League One play-offs the target. However, they travelled to Sixfields this afternoon in the relegation zone having just one of their opening six fixtures.
Their last outing did produce a little optimism when they drew 1-1 with Bolton Wanderers, but they were given a two week break to build on that after their clash with Luton Town was postponed last week due to international call-ups. A trip to Northampton offered the ideal platform to build on their previous result, but they fell to a late goal from Cameron McGeehan.
Bruce Upbeat Despite Defeat
The latest defeat leaves Blackpool 23rd in the table with just four points from seven games. Despite the latest setback, Bruce believes his team were excellent. Speaking after the game, the former Newcastle United boss said:
“I saw a very good team today, apart from the first five minutes, I thought we were excellent.
“I saw the makings of a very good side today. We’ve spent the last two weeks on the training ground, and you can see how we worked. We were a threat going forward, but gave a bad goal away, and that’s something you can’t coach – it’s a couple of individual errors.
“We’re really frustrated because we were the better team by far. If you were a neutral then you’d think we were going to win the game all day long – that’s the way I felt.”
Continuing, the 64-year-old added his belief that the performance was arguably their best of the campaign:
“That’s arguably the best we played, I have to say. I was encouraged a lot, I thought we were the better team, however we haven’t taken our chances and unfortunately have given a poor goal away.”
Bruce has seen speculation over his future mount this week, with former Bolton boss Ian Evatt linked with the role.
Writer’s View
Although there may be a degree of truth to Bruce’s comments, it’s perhaps a little generous to say Blackpool dominated against Northampton. A draw would probably have been a fair result. In a week that has seen the veteran manager come under scrutiny, it’s unlikely that his assessment of the game will do him any favours with supporters. The host Barnsley next weekend and it’ll be interesting to see if they have the same man in the dugout.
