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Blackpool 1 Leicester City 2 - full match report
THERE is a lovely moment in Ricky Gervais' BBC comedy The Office when the boss of a paper company is carrying out an appraisal with a not particularly bright member of staff.
Asked for his weaknesses, the employee deadpans: "Eczema".
After this contest Ian Holloway would require only one word in describing his side's weakness – defence.
So impressive throughout the majority of the campaign, the back four were all at sea on Saturday … so wobbly even John Terry might be welcomed into the Blackpool dressing room, though on the strict understanding there would be no 'meet the wives' nights.
Sloppiness at the back cost Blackpool dearly and left the manager particularly gutted – and not just because it was Leicester who were the victors.
Yes, this match meant more to Holloway. After being linked with the Foxes job several times over the years before finally getting a crack at it (unsuccessfully as it turned out), how could it not?
If there was one club he'd have liked to do the double over this season it was Leicester ... so to be beaten both home and away hurt big time.
However, there was another, more rational reason for the manager's displeasure.
He knew how big this game was.
It was seventh against eighth, a chance for Pool to stamp down a real marker by claiming the points and moving back into the play-off places.
Their failure to do so means the coming week is huge, season-defining perhaps.
When I say that I mean in terms of staying up there. For it is important not to lose sight of the fact that the club has massively over-achieved this year.
If you'd pulled me to one side sometime last summer and told me Blackpool would be top eight in February, I'd have edged backwards and told you to see a doctor.
No-one expected the club to be in such a lofty position, and with good reason. However much Holloway dislikes the phrase 'little Blackpool', the fact of the matter is that they are one of the smaller clubs in the Championship in terms of transfer budgets, wages, facilities ... pretty much everything.
So although the disappointment at Saturday's result is great, put it into context. Pool are still having a terrific campaign.
Yet it is also true that if they wish to make it truly unforgettable, then now is the time for the players to stand up and be counted.
The away games at Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow and Preston on Saturday (without Charlie Adam, as if we needed reminding) are huge.
Four or more points and this last week will be forgotten. Pool will be back up there and the unlikeliest of promotion challenges will be on once again.
Two more bad results, though, and the aim will suddenly be more mid-table than top six.
At least Holloway, who has said he plans to be at Blackpool for the long term, is now wiser about what is needed, both for the remainder of this campaign and the next.
Leicester should be a bit of a role model, not least in the strength of their defence.
Big and strong, unflinching in the tackle and as organised as the desk of the office geek, it was the Foxes' back four – plus the agility of their keeper Chris Weale – which won the day at Bloomfield Road.
Pool's back four – and their first-choice quartet at that – was nowhere near as secure.
That much was summed up 15 minutes in, when Danny N'Guessan, playing on the left flank but drifting in whenever he could, latched on to Martyn Waghorn's simple crossfield pass and beat Matt Gilks, the ball going in off the post.
There was no defender within five yards of N'Guessan when he received the ball.
It was poor, as Holloway had no hesitation in informing his back four afterwards.
And it was also a shame because it undermined all the very good things the Seasiders did in the first period.
They played well throughout and created their usual hatful of chances.
Even before Leicester went ahead, Stephen Dobbie's powerful effort was tipped on to the woodwork by Weale, and centre-back Wayne Brown – brilliant all afternoon – made a crucial interception to prevent Barry Bannan's cross being turned in.
Dobbie, lively from the outset, almost danced through, then forced Weale into another good stop with a shot from distance. Bannan's long-ranger flew off target. It was his last real contribution (a shame as he played well on the left) before being forced off with a suspected broken toe. Ben Burgess came on.
Southern headed wide, then missed by a whisker with a decent effort after good play from Dobbie and Charlie Adam.
The latter, by the way, oozed quality in the first period and looked head and shoulders above anyone else on the pitch.
But Leicester had their moments and were especially effective from set-pieces, mainly because they won virtually every header.
From one corner, Michael Morrison was left with the simple task of converting from all of two yards out, but a combination of Stephen Crainey and Alex Baptiste somehow saved the day by getting a block in.
Second half, more of the same really. Pool were on top and pressing, but Leicester – another team who had clearly done their homework and hit long balls to take advantage of the many occasions when the Seasiders full-backs pushed forward – were a persistent threat.
Example number one was a major let off five minutes after the restart, when N'Guessan beat Neal Eardley on the left and crossed for Martyn Waghorn.
Six yards out and unmarked, it was something of a miracle that he managed to put his shot straight at Gilks.
It still required a good reaction stop but was wasteful finishing.
Speaking of which, the Seasiders will be disappointed they didn't equalise, squandering openings on a regular bass.
It has happened a lot this season – brilliant build-up followed by failure to stick the ball in the back of the net.
Stephen Crainey chipped over; Dobbie shot off target, then beat his marker with a beautiful piece of skill by the left touchline but couldn't force his shot past Weale from a tight angle.
Perhaps he should have passed – as a few commented – but it's good to see a frontman with belief, confidence and a willingness to have a go.
Weale tipped Southern's header wide and did the same when Dobbie smashed in yet another shot, this time a volley from 20 yards.
But there was no way through and it really did seem destined to be one of these days.
Holloway must have had the same feeling for he took a risk, replacing Ian Evatt with Ishmel Demontagnac and dropping Adam into the back four.
It didn't work as the manager had hoped. Four minutes later, Leicester caught Pool with a classic counter-attack which ended with substitute Lloyd Dyer turning in Matty Fryatt's cross.
Gilks saved Dyer's header minutes later from yet another N'Guessan cross – the striker played well and gave Eardley a torrid time – before Pool finally broke through.
Dobbie deservedly scored it, nutmegging Andy King on the edge of the area and drilling a low right-footer into the bottom corner. Even Weale couldn't stop that one.
Into stoppage time with their tails up, Pool sensed the comeback was on.
But Demontagnac wasted the best chance when he shot over after being teed up by Burgess and Southern.
And then, at the death, Adam burst into the box, tumbled and referee Andy Haines made a big call, waving away the penalty appeals and booking Adam.
Every fan in the ground knew what the yellow card meant – cue chants of 'You're not fit to referee' at the whistle. Holloway, though, was sensible and spot on with his after-match comments. The ref didn't cost Pool the points, the defending did.
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Weather for Blackpool
Wednesday 30 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: West
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Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 16 C
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