Did fatigue play a part in Blackpool's frustrating defeat at Rochdale? Neil Critchley has his say
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Neil Critchley says it’s “too simplistic” to blame Blackpool’s defeat at Rochdale last night on fatigue.
The Seasiders’ 16-game unbeaten run came to an end at Spotland as Ollie Rathbone scored the only goal of the game for the relegation-threatened hosts.
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Hide AdPool were off their game and devoid of ideas in the final third, which led to accusations from some quarters that tiredness was beginning to set in as a result of the club’s hectic schedule.
But Critchley played down those suggestions, despite conceding his side’s slow start might have been a result of their physical exertions against Sunderland at the weekend.
“I think it’s too simplistic,” Critchley told The Gazette, when asked if tiredness had played a part.
“I did think we didn’t look ourselves early on with the lack of intensity, but after the 20-minute mark we were really aggressive and dominant. They haven’t got near the goal.
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Hide Ad“They’ve had one shot, a fantastic shot, but it’s poor from our point of view. Apart from that, we were the team on the front foot, we were pressing, counter-pressing, our approach play was good, we were just lacking that final little bit.
“I didn’t think it was a lack of energy or we were missing something from an intensity point of view.
“The start was a bit sluggish though, I agree.”
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