Ben Burgess: Blyth brings best out of those around him

Is it some harsh words from Neil McDonald? Or maybe, just maybe the Seasiders have finally got the right combination in arguably the most important part of the pitch.

Yes, that’s right Blackpool managed to actually score two goals at home and create a host of other chances.

Since Jacob Blyth has come in on loan from the team of the moment Leicester City, not only has he looked effective, but as all good strikers do he’s brought out the best in those around him.

Prior to Blyth’s arrival Mark Cullen had plodded through 10 games without a goal and after just three games alongside Blyth he’s bagged two.

I was at the Bury game when these two first played in tandem and having seen the size of the Leicester loanee I was hopeful that they could forge a traditional big man, little man combination.

Thus far Blackpool have played with very similar strikers in Danny Philliskirk, Jack Redshaw and Cullen.

Whilst all three are good players, you need a different threat sometimes and Blyth can provide a lot of opportunities for his strike partners with his flick-ons and hold up play.

I always felt that I linked up better with strikers who had the opposite strengths than me – ie. someone who could run!

Generally, the quicker a striker was and the more he liked to run in behind defences then the more productive our partnerships were.

Andy Morrell, while not being lightning, made very intelligent runs (very much like super Brett).

I also remember the first time DJ Campbell signed on loan for us.

In his very first training session we had a full size game and I partnered him on one of the sides.

It just worked perfectly and I laid on about four goals for him.

We took that into our first competitive game together when I played him through to open the scoring at the Ricoh Arena against Coventry.

Typically, I injured my knee about ten minutes later and was out for six weeks!

Let’s hope Blyth has less injuries than me.

Blackpool have hit form at the perfect time and with another extremely winnable game at home to Colchester on Saturday they should gain another valuable three points.

The only worrying part for the Seasiders is that those teams around them have games in hand and on Tuesday two of those games were won by Oldham and Fleetwood, which has dragged Blackpool back to just one place above the drop zone.

Oldham have been steadily improving under John Sheridan but for Fleetwood that victory in midweek could be the catalyst for their own run of good form.

I can only imagine how tense the Fleetwood v Blackpool game will be in a few weeks.

We’ve been treated to some highly entertaining European football this week and watching Barcelona v Atletico Madrid was a great example of a contrast in styles and philosophies.

I always find watching these type of games a bit of a footballing education.

It’s intriguing how different managers react to situations in games. Atletico and their enigmatic manager Diego Simeone wring every last drop of effort from their players.

They play to frustrate and their game plan on Tuesday to soak up pressure and score on the counter-attack was working like a dream until Fernando Torres decided to start tackling and was sent off.

I loved how at no time did Barcelona panic. They and their boss Luis Enrique have a deep-rooted footballing philosophy that they never waver from.

They don’t start lumping long balls forward.

They pass and move and thread through balls over and over again.

Eventually their relentless attacking produced two goals and set up a thrilling second leg in Madrid.