Ben Burgess: Even Gazza feels sorry for Blackpool

Unfortunately, even with Gazza’s well wishes ringing in their ears, Blackpool produced one of their worst displays of an extremely poor season.

Neil McDonald, who so often appears to have his head buried in the sand when it comes to his own team’s shortcomings, admitted the second half display was ‘horrible’.

Having listened to Keith Southern on the radio at Spotland, you could tell how frustrated and disappointed he was with Saturday’s capitulation.

With Keith and others of his ilk you always knew that even if the team was playing badly, or you were being overrun, there was no way your opponents were going to have it easy.

Crunching tackles and dragging your team-mates up with you are some of the characteristics that all good teams have.

Worryingly for the Seasiders, they appear to be going down without a fight.

During Pool’s run of victories last month we heard how good the team spirit was and how strong the characters in the changing room are, but only in adversity do you find the real men in the team.

The ones who are going to stand up and refuse to get knocked down.

I know they have those types in there but do they have enough?

For the majority of this season I’ve expressed my feelings on how negative Blackpool are in their tactics, and still there doesn’t appear to be a plan B.

Opposition managers know exactly how Pool will play.

After the Rochdale game, their manager said: “When teams come and play such negative tactics you have to be patient and that’s what we were today.”

So Blackpool were negative and played for a draw, yet they still lost 3-0!

They must try a different approach in these crunch last three games.

The worst thing would be going down without a fight. Draws are not going to be enough, they must play with some creativity and try and open up their opponents.

Sadly, I can see the Tangerines going to Fleetwood tomorrow and just trying to soak up all the pressure, and end up on the end of another crushing defeat.

They need to realise how important this game is for both teams and I can only imagine how great the atmosphere will be inside Highbury Stadium.

Fleetwood were unfortunate to lose against Millwall on Tuesday and their manager Steven Pressley has stated that ‘they must beat Blackpool’.

A victory would move them one step closer to safety and push Pool to the precipice. For all those many Blackpool fans who’ve 
become disillusioned with the goings on at Bloomfield Road this season, head to AFC Blackpool this Sunday at 2pm to see some of your old favourites don the famous tangerine shirts again.

A BFC Legends team which includes Danny Coid, Richie Wellens, Scott Taylor, Peter Clarke, Phil Clarkson and the best left back I’ve seen, Brian Butler, will be taking on an AFC Blackpool past and present XI.

Entry to the game is by donation and all the proceeds will go to the Gary Parkinson Fund to help him in his ongoing battle with Locked in Syndrome. Fortunately, for everyone attending, you won’t have to watch me limp around the pitch again as I’m strictly on supporting duty after needing an operation from thelast Legends game!

The Legends games are always great to watch and participate in simply because footballers hate losing whether they’re 18 years old or 
45.

The games become very competitive and the banter flying around is brilliant and for all those going to Highbury on Saturday you might just need a bit of light 
relief.