Blackpool 2-2 Crewe: Five things we learned

Blackpool FC writer Matt Scrafton takes a look at the key talking points from the Seasiders' disappointing draw against Crewe.
Pool were dealt a killer blow at the deathPool were dealt a killer blow at the death
Pool were dealt a killer blow at the death

Seasiders must sort out home form

This seems to be a recurring talking point but it's one that just won't go away. The draw means Gary Bowyer’s men have now gone seven games without picking up a win at Bloomfield Road since the 4-1 thrashing of Newport County. That wouldn't be considered such a bad run if Blackpool were drawing against the likes of Plymouth, Doncaster or Luton but instead they've come against Colchester, Crawley, Yeovil and Crewe. No offence intended to those sides, but the Seasiders need to be seeing them off if they have any realistic hopes of finishing in the top seven.

It felt like a defeat

Despite the disappointing performance, a 2-2 draw against an in-form side isn't the end of the world. Results like that will have happened plenty of times in Pool's past and they will happen time and time again in the future. But the atmosphere among the players and team staff at the end of the match was as gloomy as I've seen all season. Skipper Andy Taylor admitted the result felt like a defeat and they were fortunate that wasn't the case, as the Seasiders were forced to hold on at the end and Crewe came close to securing a remarkable comeback.

Goals from The Fonz are a huge bonus

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Delfouneso has done well since joining in the transfer window and when he's on form, he appears to be a step above anything else at this level which shouldn't really come as a surprise given his previous pedigree. He's been most effective out on the flank where he can take advantage of his pace, but up front he has struggled and there's been one or two occasions where he's been largely anonymous. He's certainly an asset for Pool though and given top scorer Kyle Vassell's goal drought has now been extended to 13 games, his goals are proving to be priceless.

Somehow Blackpool are still in it

It says a lot about the standard of League Two that Blackpool, who are without a league win at home since November, are still only five points off the top seven. Their woeful home run was in danger of coming to an end as Pool somehow found themselves two goals ahead at the half-time interval, but in truth they were never at the races. The play-offs somehow still remain a realistic aim despite their mediocre home form. Had they won they would have only been three points off Mansfield in seventh, with a game in hand still to play on the majority of the sides in and around them in the league table. Not bad for a side who have only won once since Boxing Day, but I think it tells us more about the level Blackpool are now at rather than how good a side they are.

Crewe will be absolutely fine

Crewe are clearly a rejuvenated side under David Artell and they caught the eye on Saturday with a performance that belied their lowly league position. The visitors were clearly brimming with confidence as they looked to build on their consecutive wins at Gresty Road against Grimsby and Wycombe respectively and in truth it was the Railwaymen who had the better chances, despite being forced to wait until the 88th minute for their equaliser. In Chris Dagnall they have an experienced head who knows how to bag goals in this division, irrespective of age and in George Cooper they have an exciting young starlet. It's clearly been a tough couple of years for the club but they're now seven points ahead of the bottom two and if they continue to perform as they did at Bloomfield Road, they should have no relegation concerns.