Barnsley v Blackpool A view from the opposition

Barnsley v Blackpool A view from the opposition

Barnsley entertain Blackpool this Saturday in League One. Both sides won last time out with the Reds winning 2-1 at Northampton thanks to goals from Callum Styles and the league’s top scorer Devante Cole. Blackpool won convincingly at home to Reading 4-1 thanks to a Jordan Rhodes hattrick. 

We asked Blackpool blog & podcast Up The Mighty Pool for an insight into the Seasiders season so far and which dangermen the Tykes need to look out for. 

Blackpool have, like Barnsley had a few yo-yo seasons between the Championship and League One, were expectations for a quick return to the 2nd tier this season or maybe a season of stability?

The general feeling amongst fans is that we threw away our Championship status through off-the-field mismanagement rather than the strength of the squad and investment from the owner Simon Sadler. We had a strong enough squad – one that finished 16th the previous season – to stay up but through the shocking appointments of Michael Appleton and then Mick McCarthy, as well as failed transfer windows and the sale of Josh Bowler, left us short of identity, passion and hunger to stay in the division. The aim therefore is for an instant return, following the reappointment of Neil Critchley who did so well in his previous spell. 

Manager Neil Critchley returned after previously leaving to assist Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa. How have fans taken to his return?

Initially it felt a bit like taking your ex girlfriend back after she cheated on you with a half-decent looking bloke in a nice suit. We all wanted him to fail at Villa and took great satisfaction in seeing it on Match of the Day as he stood helplessly with his earpiece on for two months. At QPR, he was never going to be given enough time, and ultimately he was left scrapping for another job. Everything just aligned in the summer – he was by far the best candidate available to manage this squad and achieve the collective goal of getting us back out of this division. I thought it was a bit early to be giving it the fist pumping and badge tapping to the North Stand on the opening day when we beat Burton at home, but the start to the season has given encouragement that – like last time – he’ll manage the squad well, and we’ll get better as the season goes along. As long as he’s successful, we can forgive and forget – much like a successful marriage to an ex-girlfriend who may have done wrong in the distant past. 

How has Critchley`s 2nd term started?

I touched on it there but it’s fair to say it’s been fairly mixed – we have the best home record in the division with 11 points from 5 games and so far unbeaten. But we’ve looked too defensive and Critchley rightly pointed out that we’re still looking for the right ‘blend’ between defensive solidity (something we were great at in his last spell) and creativity going forwards. In Jordan Rhodes, we have a goal machine at this level, and we steadily seem to be taking the handbrake off in terms of team selections. We haven’t quite done that away from home yet, so Saturday will be a key test. 

Although it’s still early in the season, what are your expectations for this Blackpool side?

I’d firmly expect to be in the top six with an outside chance of finishing in the top two. It’s not about how you start but how you finish – something we did successfully in 2021 and have done so many times in our history with a late run to the Play-Offs. We’d expect Barnsley to be in a similar position to ourselves and I’m sure you’ll be encouraged by your start to know that you should be in the mix at the top end of the division. 

Which Blackpool players should we look out for on Saturday?

Jordan Rhodes is one I’ve touched on and were it not for a wrongly decided ‘offside’ goal at Wycombe, he’d have five goals already in three starts in tangerine. He’s almost certain to score on Saturday and is surely a key man. Aside from him, we have CJ Hamilton who is pure pace and can cause havoc when up 1 v 1 with a defender. If you don’t double up on him you could be in trouble, providing he has one of his good games as he either produces a 3/10 or a 9/10. And final call out goes to Ollie Norburn, a summer acquisition from Peterborough who is our captain and sets the tempo in midfield. The game will be run by him. 

Give us your score prediction.

Oakwell isn’t really a happy hunting ground for us and we’re still looking for a first away win. That said, I have to put my money where my mouth is and go for a 2-1 victory. All the best for the season!

Image credit: Blackpool Gazette