Blackpool boss hopes he'll be able to listen and learn from 'Big Sam'

‘Big Sam’, who managed the Seasiders between 1994 and 1996, brings his new club West Bromwich Albion to Bloomfield Road for their FA Cup third round tie.

Given Allardyce’s experience in a career that has spanned 30 years, Critchley admits tomorrow presents a valuable opportunity to ask plenty of questions.

“With Big Sam taking the team, I’m sure they will be well organised, highly motivated and will know their jobs. We’ll have to be ready to match that,” Pool’s head coach said.

“In fact, I think it will be two organised teams who know their jobs on the pitch.

“Sam is an unbelievably experienced Premier League manager, what he doesn’t know about football isn’t worth knowing anyway.

“I would love the opportunity to speak to Sam either before or after the game, ask him some questions and pick his brains, but with the situation we’re in at the moment that’s not always possible which will be a disappointment.

“If I can’t learn from him, or don’t want to learn from him, then that’s stupidity on my behalf.”

Allardyce was controversially sacked by Blackpool in 1996, despite coming just a point off clinching promotion from the old Third Division.

The Seasiders then crashed out of the play-offs in disappointing circumstances, losing 3-0 in their home leg against Bradford City having won the away tie 2-0.

“He’s got Blackpool connections, so that adds something to the game as well,” Critchley added.

“But Sam’s focus is purely on West Brom, he’s just taken over there and my focus is purely on Blackpool.

“That was back in the 1990s when Sam was the manager, which just goes to show the amount of years he’s been doing it and the experience he’s got. To have that longevity in the game is unbelievable.

“If I’m fortunate enough to be doing it after that amount of years then I’ll have done something right in my career like Sam has.

“Maybe I won’t be as daft and get out earlier if I’m lucky!”

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