A failure to capitalise on solid first-half foundations: Matt Scrafton's verdict on Blackpool's EFL Trophy draw against Accrington Stanley

The Seasiders, still managed by Simon Grayson at the time, were desperately fortunate to avoid defeat for the third time in four matches after delivering another insipid display devoid of any creativity or attacking flair or intent.

Fast-forward 12 months and, despite the scoreline reading the same, this is now a very different Blackpool side to the one we saw last term.

That applies quite literally, as only four players involved that day remain with the club, Virtue - currently out injured - being one of them.

The Seasiders, now coached by Neil Critchley, are a team with a plan. They’re well-drilled and they pass and move the ball well, each player knowing their individual job. Players look confident in possession and it’s clear to see the identity Critchley is trying to create, even if we’re yet to see the team fully hit their stride.

And yet, the results tell a different story. Blackpool have won just one of their seven competitive games so far this season. Under Critchley, their record is just one win in nine if we also factor in the two games he took charge of last season before Covid stopped play.

So what’s the problem?

There certainly didn’t seem to be much of an issue in the opening 15 to 20 minutes last night, the Seasiders causing all sorts of problems for Accrington with their high tempo and high pressing - a short glimpse of how Critchley wants his side to play.

Blackpool got their reward too, the impressive Keshi Anderson curling home superbly over a defender’s head and into the top corner after Blackpool had snatched the ball back in Stanley’s left-back position - although Dan Kemp and Oliver Sarkic did try their best to ruin the opportunity by getting in each other’s way before Anderson let fly.

One would have hoped Blackpool would kick on from here but such dominance and control never materialised. Accrington slowly but surely grew into the game, the half fizzling out without any major chances for either side.

If the first-half display was quietly promising, the second period was anything but. It was a turgid affair, not helped by the torrential rain that had previously eased off for the opening 45 minutes.

It made the encounter a physical, scrappy contest which suited the home side’s burly centre-backs, who didn’t give half-time substitute Jerry Yates a sniff.

Nevertheless, Blackpool’s latest centre-back pairing of James Husband and the returning Jordan Thorniley were performing well and Critchley’s men looked as though they would see out the rest of the game to pick up a solid, if somewhat unspectacular three points to see them top their EFL Trophy group two games in.

Thorniley, starting a game for only the second time this season, was in need of a strong display and he delivered one. He was solid and did everything with minimal fuss.

Unfortunately the Seasiders weren’t able to hold out, Accrington eventually pegging them back 11 minutes from time with a soft goal from Blackpool’s point of view.

Joe Pritchard was given too much time and space on the flank to deliver a dangerous cross into the middle where Colby Bishop stole a march on the otherwise impressive debutant Jordan Gabriel to pick out the far corner with a well-taken header.

Stanley would then go on to claim an extra bonus point - why the EFL deem such a thing necessary in the group stage, I’ve no idea - after winning the penalty shootout 4-3, Grant Ward and Dan Kemp the two Pool players to miss.

A draw was arguably a fair result, so Blackpool could have no real complaints with the end result after 90 minutes. But they will be disappointed they weren’t able to build on the promising foundations they laid down in the first-half.

For the second game running, the Seasiders looked tired and leggy in the second-half having run out of steam following their early pressing.

This will be something Critchley will need to address ahead of Saturday’s game against Ipswich Town, which all of a sudden becomes a hugely significant fixture just over a month into the new season...