Blackpool’s deserved victory at Peterborough on Saturday tops off an excellent 5-match winning run, although wins 1 to 4 were not against really strong opposition.
The question is how good are they? Here is the modest headline in the Blackpool Gazette yesterday.
“Are Blackpool close to inflicting a heavy defeat? Neil Critchley discusses converting chances, momentum and tactical approach ahead of Doncaster trip."
That sort of headline makes me suspend rational thought and turn my mild dislike of the team which has had stolen a fair number of points from us, particularly at the Keepmoat, into a need for us to demonstrate powerfully that we are a much better team than their local newspaper believes they are. They have done once what we do regularly, beat Peterborough at Peterborough. (They probably don’t know that.)
Since writing that paragraph, I have dipped into the You Tube video of the game and the football looked rather ordinary; there were no flashy moves or skilful finishes; Peterborough just looked very bad at defending relatively ordinary attacking. I also listened to their manager who was aware of which teams we had beaten and was approaching the game tonight cautiously, so my hostility was calmed.
However, returning to rational analysis, it remains the case that they were better than Peterborough on the day, but on the basis of that one viewing Peterborough did not look as good as Ipswich or Lincoln. So I think it is safe to conclude that they were not at their best and that puts the win in a suitable context.
Although their previous 4 wins were against relatively weak opposition, there is every reason to believe that they will come to Doncaster full of confidence to a ground where they have been successful far more often than they have deserved in the recent past.
We certainly need to be stronger and more inventive than Saturday which means we could do with Gomes, John-Jules and Taylor returning to match fitness and availability, but with Smith and Sims seemingly indispensable, places for all three would be difficult to find.
I cannot be alone in thinking that we are not defending the left side very well and if Moore is not bold in his selection Blackpool will know exactly what to expect and be able to plan accordingly. He seems to have advised them to think more for themselves, “problem solve" which is perhaps another way of saying that playing out from the back is not immutable.
I cannot predict in favour of Blackpool and it is time for us to re-assert ourselves so I am hoping that we will put them firmly in their place by winning 3-0, Anderson with the first goal.
DPL vs Blackpool
posted on 24/11/20
2-1 Sims.
posted on 24/11/20
blackpool have been a real bogey team for us and although its high time we walloped them - im not confident that tonights the night - 2-2 okenbirnhie with the first
posted on 24/11/20
Forgot all about the early kick off, fancy a 3 nil win, for Blackpool. They're on a roll, 5 straight wins, were as we keep playing DMs mate at left back. The more I watch the more I cant understand what he's trying to do with formation n tactics. Playing defensive at home, only playing 1 up front, who in my eyes looks like a little rabbit caught in the headlights.
posted on 24/11/20
blackpool have been a real bogey team for us and although its high time we walloped them - im not confident that tonights the night - 2-2 okenbirnhie with the first
posted on 24/11/20
And the Oscar goes to...Madine! Although the Rovers were worse in the first half than against Sunderland, I hate teams whose players fall and roll around after the slightest contact. Even Husband joined in the game, staying down until the yellow card was given and then getting to his feet as though nothing had happened.
However, a great second half, although we still gave away the ball too much, and often let Blackpool in by being slower to react to situations.
I thought the second goal was very good, a great chip over the defence by Richards, a fantastically timed run by James, and then a wonderful chip over the goalkeeper.
Maybe Saturday was a one-off poor day for James and John.
Copps was poor in the first half and a good substitution by DM. With Richards back, and hopefully Taylor, John-Jules and Gomes very soon, DM will have difficult selection decisions again.
At half time I had no confidence about our trip to Carlisle, but now I am more hopeful.
posted on 24/11/20
I should have added that I almost stopped watching at halftime - mainly because all that passing back to Lumley was driving me mad. How many times did the ball go to Lumley who rolled it out to someone who sent it back to him, or to another player who sent it to Lumley? One time it was almost disaster when Lumley sent it to a place nearer to a Blackpool playr=er who failed to take advantage of what should have been a goal.
It was never this bad with Dieng or Bursik.
posted on 25/11/20
Yes an amazing trams formation after half time.
posted on 25/11/20
I can understand the theory of passing it out from the back i.e. To keep possession and draw the opposition forward. However its a risky strategy as losing possession in this area is very dangerous. Oke isnt that good at winning balls in the air. If we had someone who could challenge better for high balls a traditional high kick up the middle from the goalkeeper might be more effective and less risky.
posted on 25/11/20
There was some truly poor football from Rovers in the first half. They almost looked mesmerised by Blackpool whose skill and movement dominated the first half hour. In the first 15 minutes it was amazing that all Blackpool had to show was the penalty goal.
The breakaway second goal was the third in 4 games and it was even worse because our last defensive line was well inside their half; a fundamental failure in organisation.
Again we got the turnaround in the second half and it was a player who had at least tried to vary the turgidity, Copps who was removed; a mistake, mmI thought at the time.
I had noted that they moved the ball and were generally playing much faster in the second half; I was not as perceptive as Moore though in recognising that was the key to the improvement. It makes sense though. A young team needs to exploit its energy, but perhaps the game at Manchester where they ambled through the second half made them forget what it was that drives the momentum; speed. With a rigorous post match analysis the question of the poor second half performance in that match should have been examined. Moore might well have done that, but if Butler looked into it at all, the cause was not recognised.
So for the last 45 minutes we were back, and I go along with Micky’s report and comments 100%.
posted on 27/11/20
Still not convinced by Lumley, need to sort this left back position out, the back four don't seen half as confident as before. Still think we've dropped abollock with letting Watters go. Dont think Feji is the right man for theyvway we play. Couldn't believe the amount of poor and very silly passes in that first half. Onwards n upwards.