CHRIS Basham thinks it’s about time Pool turned draws into wins.
The Seasiders travel to high-flying Middlesbrough today looking to convert some superb recent performances into points.
They’ve managed only one point from their previous two games despite dominating for large spells.
And midfield man Basham says it’s something which has to change.
“If we don’t start turning these draws into wins we’ll end up looking back at the end of the season and thinking we aren’t where we should be,” he said.
“Hopefully we’ll get on a good run and end up in a league position we deserve to be in.”
“We need the first goal in games, once we do get the first goal, we’ll go on to win, I’m sure.
“If we can start today like we have in the previous two games, then we’ll be fine.
“Against Wolves we were on top, and Huddersfield we were on top all game.
“Hopefully today we can do that again, but this time get the win.”
The 24-year-old has made himself first pick in the heart of Pool’s midfield since the departure of Ian Holloway last month.
He’ll be alongside Angel Martinez for this afternoon’s game, with the Spaniard almost certain to replace the suspended Isaiah Osbourne.
And while it’s a vital game for all Pool’s players, today’s game hold extra significance for Basham.
“I’m a Sunderland fan, and I’m from the North East, so it’s a big local derby for me.
“I made my debut against Sunderland, but apart from that I’ve not played at all in the North East.
“I’ve been on the bench against Middlesbrough once.
“It’s always nice to beat my team’s local rivals, hopefully we can do it again today.
“I think I have about 20 family and friends coming today, I’m hoping Stephen Crainey sorts me enough tickets!”
The Seasiders have created 39 chances in their last two games, but only have two goals to show for their efforts.
And while Basham thinks the finishing has to improve, he also believes the defender needs tightening up.
He said: “We need to be clinical up front, but we also need to be clinical at the back too.
“I was thinking on Boxing Day that we’ll be throwing away our league position if we didn’t get something out of the game.
“In the end we got a point.
“We got a goal in the third minute of injury time, but that’s Blackpool for you.
“That’s the lads in the dressing room, we are full of faith for each other.
“In the first five minutes on Boxing Day we could have been 3-0 up.
“They got a goal and our heads dropped a bit, but we came back and eventually got the goal we deserved. We murdered them, they went off at half-time in shock.”
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