Blackpool boss isn't contemplating fixture congestion just yet

It comes after the Seasiders’ midweek encounter against Burton Albion was called off at the last minute, just 10 days after the original date was postponed following a Covid-19 outbreak among the Brewers’ squad.

Blackpool, who have had five games postponed this season, have played the fewest in League One alongside Accrington Stanley and Doncaster Rovers.

The Seasiders, who have played 24 games compared to Crewe Alexandra, who have played 28, have just 85 days to fulfil their remaining 22 fixtures.

Once the Burton game is rearranged, it’s understood Blackpool will have two free midweeks between now and the end of the season.

When asked if the EFL has made any contingency plans for further postponements, Critchley told The Gazette: “No, we’ve not had anything on that.

“I’ve not heard that we might have to play Saturday-Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday, we’ve not got to that stage yet.

“There’s been no sort of murmurings or feedback that the season is going to be extended either.

“At the moment, we’re working towards that May 8 date and juggling our games as best as we can.

“When the EFL put the fixtures together at the beginning of the season, we started later as it was and they tried to load the front half of the season because of this type of issue arising.

“Without knowing the division too well, I would have thought we’re one of the clubs that have played the fewest, while other clubs will be thinking they’re fine because they’ve played two or three games more than us and will have a lot of free midweeks ahead.

“At this moment in time I would have thought it’ll be taken on a club-by-club basis and the EFL will be reasonably happy with how the fixtures have panned out so far this season.”

It’s understood an extension of the 2020/21 campaign is unlikely given last year’s Euro 2020 competition is due to be held this summer, even if that’s unlikely to have too much effect on clubs in the third tier.

“With the Championship falling under the EFL umbrella, then I’d imagine it will be difficult as well because quite a few Championship players will be involved,” Critchley added.

“They don’t like to separate the Championship from League One and League Two as we all fall under the same umbrella.

“At the moment, we’re working until May 8. We’ve already shown our stance this season that we want the games to go ahead.”

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