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The Jury: Time to give Welsh a start
JACK GAUGHAN The Seasiders went into Saturday's game with only two fit strikers, Scott Vernon and Keigan Parker – that's absolutely criminal.
How can a team go into a Championship game with only two strikers? The club have had two weeks to sign somebody and yet we're left with Vernon, who couldn't cut it in League One, and an unwell Parker.
Both struggling to make an impact, with little service it has to be said.
The lack of service was largely due to the huge gap between attackers and midfielders. David Fox didn't impress me last season, and hasn't this term either. His role is to pull the strings from midfield, but that leaves us with nobody driving forward from midfield.
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As his range of passing isn't exactly Gerrard-like he remains largely ineffectual, with Claus Jorgensen surely being the better option. Keith Southern could do the job Fox does. We're wasting talent on the bench.
A draw was probably a fair result, and one I'm sure most Pool fans would've taken it after the opening 20 minutes when Palace totally dominated.
Why Andy Welsh continues to occupy a place on the bench is beyond me. Every time he comes on for Taylor-Fletcher we look a totally different side. His inventive running and awareness means that Hoolahan can dictate play a bit more with Welsh wider, creating extra space.
DAVE WHITE
While much is being made of our 'draw specialists' tag, Saturday's point was well-deserved and hard-earned. We knew it would have to be against a Neil Warnock side.
Although we looked second-best for the first 25 minutes, the lads competed well and took the game by the scruff of the neck. Once we equalised we were the more likely winners. In the four league games in which we have conceded first, we have drawn each of them – this team really doesn't know when it is beaten.
Foxy did very well for his goal, showing quick reactions and a cool finish. He had a good game and his substitution was a surprise, but I think we all know by now that Larry knows what he is doing!
The manager's frustrations at being unable to freshen up the squad are understandable, and no doubt he cast a few envious glances at a Palace bench containing Paul Dickov and Clinton Morrison. Eventually new blood will come in, but I've always been an advocate of Larry's principle of not signing loanees merely to make up the numbers.
Tonight's game at West Brom is a tough assignment. Following this, I can't wait for Saturday's trip to Hillsborough, one of my favourite grounds. If we play to our best I see no reason why we cannot win. The division is starting to take shape and it would be nice to consolidate around mid-table as we head into November.
ALAN BEAUCHAMP
For much of the first half this seemed like a League One side playing against a Championship side as Crystal Palace bossed the game and often had us pegged back. I think we missed Morrell to hassle and stretch them at the back.
We never really got to play our normal flowing passing game and this was doubtless down to the Palace tactics of closing us down quickly and making things difficult.
Once again we seemed to have an extra spring in our step and trick up our sleeve when the impressive Welsh came on and surely it must be time to give him a place in the starting line up.
With Welsh on one wing and Hoolahan on the other, they would torment defences. With Welsh in the starting line-up that would free Taylor-Fletcher as an option to be used up front.
Once again the problem with our wafer-thin squad was highlighted. Every night I read of other Championship clubs taking players from the Premiership on loan. The players are out there so why aren't they coming to Blackpool?
Are we unwilling to pay higher wages? If so Karl Oyston is a businessman so he must now that Championship wages are dictated by market forces. If you want quality you have to pay the going rate!
JANE STUART
How do we convert these draws into wins? This is obviously easier said than done and I am sure Larry is even more frustrated than us.
We need more bodies. We need an injection of life up front and the current injury problems in this area make this need more urgent.
But instead of moaning about players we don't have, we need to get behind the ones in the team. Vernon did look rusty on Saturday, having not featured properly for some time, but – not unlike Parker – he needs the crowd to get behind him and encourage him, give him a confidence boost.
Once these players get a few goals there may be no stopping them.
Vernon was sensational at the start of last season and we know what a danger Parker can pose.
We continue to be teased with fleeting glimpses of Andy Welsh. I want to see more of him! His footwork, passing and crosses are delightful.
While I appreciate that Larry is perhaps looking for a midfield comprising equal attacking and defensive qualities, I think the team would now benefit from a shift towards the attacking side.
FIONA MARTIN
So is that another point gained or another two points dropped? One point is clearly better than none, but we're desperately in need of getting some wins.
In saying that, a point against a bigger side like Crystal Palace, especially with them having a new manager, is not a bad result. It was also probably a fair reflection of the game, and while Pool didn't deserve to lose, neither did Palace.
It's important to remember where we were after 11 games last season and where we ended up. There's a long way to go left in the season and the talk of relegation is premature – especially when we've only lost twice so far.
In saying that we now go into a run of three away league games, with Spurs in the middle, and we really need to be at least five points better off by the time Scunthorpe arrive at Bloomfield Road.
Tonight is the toughest of the three, and Barnsley are doing well but we need to be looking to leave at least one of our trips to South Yorkshire with all three points.
Someone is due a thrashing from us at some point soon and how I would love that to be Sheffield Wednesday!
We're comfortably in mid-table, picking up points, albeit maybe not as quickly as everyone would like.
PHIL CORBETT
Another draw, albeit one in which yet again we showed we can match any side in the division. Palace came to impress their new boss but after weathering early pressure, we fully deserved to take all three points, with both Barker and Welsh missing gilt-edged chances from close in.
The officials had a disaster, frequently getting decisions wrong andstopping us getting any momentum going. One glaring example was when a shot from distance was deflected wide by an arm. Ignoring the penalty appeals, the referee opted for a goal kick. Quite bizarre.
The absence of Morrell and Burgess means the squad is down to the bare bones. We are lacking any depth and need to get fresh blood in urgently, particularly up front. Let's hope Simon can use his contacts book again and get someone in who can convert these draws into victories.
It was interesting to read in The Gazette that Simon is looking forward to the South Stand being built, if only for the increased finance it would bring for team building. It would seem that Mr Oyston is the only man on the Fylde who isn't quite as convinced.
CHRIS BLACKBURN
Saturday's game began in predictable fashion. A depleted Seasiders side never got out of the blocks, with Crystal Palace's left winger, David Martin, looking particularly dangerous against a subdued Shaun Barker.
The fact that the visitors began with both Dickov and Morrison on their bench, whereas we had only two fit forwards spoke volumes.
Even the usually reliable Jackson and Gorkss too often got in each other's way, and our skipper's penchant for gifting free-kicks in dangerous positions was a constant worry. Stephen Crainey, by contrast, was assured and we are starting to reap the benefits of his skill in dead ball situations.
The introduction of Andy Welsh finally galvanised the team into life, and within five minutes an equaliser arrived.
Then somewhat bizarrely Neil Warnock took off Dougie Freeman, who had been a constant threat, and replaced him with a midfielder.
This decision gave Blackpool further encouragement, and with Welsh and Hoolahan linking at will took the game to the Londoners. But yet again we lacked the killer touch to convert chances into a winning goal.
Much has been said about Larry's present inability to sign quality loanees. Two of the best performances against Blackpool have come from players purchased from non-league clubs – Palace's Martin and Wolves' Michael Kightly.
Maybe the answer to our problems lies in places like Grays and Dartford rather than Stoke and Birmingham!
JOHN WOODMAN
It's quite clear we are now running on empty in both squad size and quality. Saturday epitomized what this team is all about – hard work and a never-say-die attitude despite again playing with two or three players below par, no back-up forwards on the bench and only 16 fit players. Something has to give and I would imagine the hammering most people have been expecting will come at West Brom.
We battled excellently again but only after giving Palace 45 minutes too much respect. OK they came out of the starting blocks very quickly but we weathered the storm and, in the second half, we managed to get back in the game and gained a deserved point.
I don't think either team showed enough desire to claim all three points and I think that is only because we are so short of quality players.
With four away games on the bounce, including a Carling Cup game against Spurs, it is imperative that new players are brought in now, if we are to give ourselves a fighting chance of being in the middle pack at the end of the season.
The boat needs to be pushed out in terms of wages and maybe even the calibre of players to ensure our first season in the Championship isn't only just a one season wonder.
CHRISTINE HEMS
After a short break I was initially disappointed to find we had dropped to 16th in the table. On reflection though, I'm more than happy at where we are sitting. If the early season pattern were to continue our Championship status would be secured, which is all the majority of fans wished for at the start.
In order to do that the squad needs strengthening. Simon has reassured us he is doing everything possible to achieve this. But it's not happening and the powers that be have to address the reasons behind it.
Saturday saw us with 16 fit players which is unacceptable at this level.
It's never easy to face a team with a new manager and someone with the profile of Warnock. Our players rose to the challenge and deserved the point. Once again, displaying a never-say-die attitude, never in awe of the opposition.
Pity then the same can't be said for the officials. An abysmal performance from them.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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