Blackpool 1-1 Peterborough: Five things we learned

Blackpool FC writer Matt Scrafton takes a look at the key talking points from the Seasiders' draw against the Posh at Bloomfield Road.
Viv Solomon-Otabor had one of his best games in a Blackpool shirtViv Solomon-Otabor had one of his best games in a Blackpool shirt
Viv Solomon-Otabor had one of his best games in a Blackpool shirt

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A point gained?

Every point matters at this stage of the season and Blackpool will surely reflect on Sunday’s draw against Peterborough United as a point gained. The visitors were by far the better side in the opening 45 minutes and ought to have built on their 1-0 lead - Blackpool could certainly consider themselves fortunate to head into the interval on level terms. The Seasiders did well to reduce Peterborough to just the one goal, which came after 20 minutes when Jack Marriott met Marcus Maddison’s cross to head home from close range. The visitors, an attacking side in contention for the League One play-offs, had chances to extend their lead but Pool forced themselves level in first-half injury time through Nathan Delfouneso. There was a suspicion of handball as Delfouneso forced the ball home, and despite his sheepish and muted celebration, Peterborough’s desperate appeals were ignored by referee Eddie Ilderton. The Seasiders were much improved in the second period but were unable to find that all-important winner, which means they are still without a win at Bloomfield Road since October - a run that stretches back ten games. But this is one result they can't be too disappointed with.

Jimmy Ryan impressed for the second game runningJimmy Ryan impressed for the second game running
Jimmy Ryan impressed for the second game running

Pool players deserve credit for their response

In his post-match interview, Gary Bowyer was keen to stress how impressed he was at the manner of Blackpool's response having struggled to get to grips with Peterborough in the first half. The Seasiders stuck in there and drew back level with a moment of quality from Jimmy Ryan and Viv Solomon-Otabor, with the duo combining to set up Nathan Delfouneso at the back post. Bowyer said: “I thought first half we looked a bit leggy from Tuesday’s exploits (at Wigan) and conceded a bit of a soft goal. But the response was terrific from them and we score the best goal in the game with a wonderful build up - as we so often do." But it was the manner in which Blackpool emerged for the start of the second half that impressed me the most. Peterborough flooded the midfield in the first half and that bore fruit with their dominance, with Anthony Grant doing a sterling job screening Peterborough's back four to pick up any loose balls. But the Seasiders came flying out of the blocks at the start of the second period, they upped their intensity and caused the visitors all sorts of problems. Unfortunately they couldn't get that all-important second goal to extend that gap to the bottom four to five points, but Pool will still reflect on a positive week having picked up four points from Wigan and Peterborough.

Seasiders struggled to deal with the dangerous Maddison

Jimmy Ryan impressed for the second game runningJimmy Ryan impressed for the second game running
Jimmy Ryan impressed for the second game running
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It's not a major surprise that Blackpool struggled to get to grips with the talented Peterborough winger Marcus Maddison. While he has a tendency to fall to the ground a little too easy, he's a magnificent player who really shouldn't be plying his trade at League One level. Now with 19 assists to his name, the most of any player in the division, it's no wonder he's been touted with moves to clubs such as Leeds United. Given Maddison's creative ability, it was disappointing to see the 24-year-old given so much space to deliver a pinpoint cross for Jack Marriott to head home to put the Posh in front. Marriott, the league’s top scorer, was left completely unmarked inside the six-yard box to nod past Lumley from Maddison’s inviting ball in. It was simply inexcusable from Blackpool to leave Peterborough’s sole striker unmarked so close to goal, and the former Luton Town man made no mistake to claim his 19th of the season. It wasn't the first time Blackpool had backed off from Maddison either; Colin Daniel had struggled against him all afternoon. But how do you deal with a player like Maddison? Close him down and get too close and he'll simply nip the ball right past you. Back off, allow him space and he'll punish you. Either way, Blackpool will be delighted they won't have to face him again this season.

Pool a better side when Ryan is playing

Club captain Jimmy Ryan has been in and out of the team in recent months due to a couple of niggling injuries, meaning Jay Spearing has been preferred to the former Fleetwood Town man. But Ryan returned to the fold against Wigan Athletic in midweek and was fantastic, dictating play from deep and spraying the ball around at will. He took that form into Sunday's game against Peterborough where he was, once again, among the best performers - if not the best. Get Ryan on the ball, give him space and he will hurt opposition - it's as simple as that. That's exactly what happened when Ryan delivered a stunning 40-yard cross field ball to Viv Solomon-Otabor in the lead up to Blackpool's equaliser. Solomon-Otabor went on to beat his man before delivering to Nathan Delfouneso to bundle home at the back post. But it was his all-round display that caught the eye. He showed a willingness to dictate the play from the middle of the park, picking the ball up from the centre backs which allowed him to control the tempo of the match and push the Seasiders forward. It has been well documented how Blackpool have struggled to get both Ryan and Spearing in the same side recently, so as it stands that starting berth is Ryan's to lose.

Solomon-Otabor at his best is a true menace

You have to feel for Peterborough's right back Liam Shephard, who was given a torrid afternoon by Solomon-Otabor. To his credit, he stuck at it and improved as the game went on but he'll be having nightmares for the rest of the week at the ease in which the winger skipped past him time and time again. I lost count of the number of times the Birmingham City loanee simply kicked the ball ten yards or so in front of him down the channel and effortlessly beat Shephard for pace. There is no doubting Solomon-Otabor's raw ability and rapid pace, but one criticism that has been labelled at him - by his own manager Gary Bowyer - is his lack of an end product. For a player of his ability, he should be entering double figures for assists but he currently sits on four. But the 22-year-old is still learning and he did superbly to set up Delfouneso's equaliser. The manner in which he has committed opposition full backs in recent weeks has been a delight to watch and long may it continue. Add creativity and assists to his game and he won't be playing in League One much longer.