Blackpool boss is prepared for their opponents to give everything they've got

The Cobblers, who are four points adrift of safety with just two games remaining, will be relegated back to League Two should they suffer defeat.

The fact so much is on the line for Pool’s opponents suits the Seasiders just fine, according to their head coach Neil Critchley

“I prefer it to be like this because you know what you’re going to get, which makes it easier to know what’s coming your way,” he said.

“You know it’s a bit of a do-or-die situation where they have to come and win the game.

“Sometimes, when you play against those teams that have nothing to play for, freedom of mind helps players relax and the manager might play different players who might be playing with one eye on next season and try something different.

“With Northampton, it’s slightly easier to prepare for but we know they’re going to be fully motivated.

“The game against Sunderland has gone. It’s three points, three big points, but that’s gone now and we have to be ready for this game.

“If we’re not, you only have to look at Northampton’s home record recently to see what can happen because they’ve beaten some very good teams. That shows you what they’re capable of.”

If Pool win and results elsewhere go their way, there’s a slim chance a play-off spot could be confirmed on Saturday.

The likelihood is their fate will be decided in the final week of the campaign, when they host Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday night before facing already relegated Bristol Rovers on the final day.

With Blackpool’s outcome in their own hands, Critchley insists he won’t be looking at other results – not until full-time anyway.

“I only look at the results after the game. When we’ve finished our game, you do want to find out about the other results,” he admitted.

“We’re not at the stage yet where you’d want to know about what is going on during a game, because that does have an influence on your decisions during a game and what you might do in terms of your tactics.”

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