Blackpool boss: It's down to us to change things around

The Seasiders have suffered a miserable start to the campaign, losing five of their opening seven league games.

It leaves Critchley’s men second from bottom in the League One table, one position below today’s opponents MK Dons.

“I’d be lying if I said I was in a great mood at this moment in time. Obviously we’re not and you do carry it around with you,” Critchley said.

“We love what we do, we’re passionate about what we do and we want to be successful. At the moment we’re not in the ideal situation and the moment is not one we want to be in.

“It’s only us who can do something about it, so it’s down to us to change it. We’ve got plenty of games coming up and the mood can change very quickly if we put a few wins on the board, which we’re more than capable of doing.

“In some ways it’s harder to take because a lot of aspects of the performances have been positive. Isolated moments seem to be going against us.

“Results in this division have shown us there’s not a lot between a lot of the teams, so we’re certainly not miles away. I’m not sitting there thinking we’ve been well beaten at any point and the opposition were a lot better than us. In none of the games have I felt like that.

“We’re also realistic and we know we’ve got to improve and we’ve got to get better, which is what we’re trying to do. The next game is the most important one and we concentrate on that one.”

Blackpool have lacked a real cutting edge and creativity in the final third in their last two games, drawing 1-1 with Crewe Alexandra last weekend despite controlling possession before losing late on against Charlton Athletic in midweek.

When asked what he believes to be Pool’s most pressing issue, Critchley said: “I don’t think there’s one thing, if I’m being honest.

“Some of the moments have gone against us, but sometimes it’s been individual errors which is very hard to eradicate because it’s not a collective issue.

“We’re trying to build something and that takes time. The more time we spend together, how we review games, how we work towards the next game, that will just become stronger and the mentality of the group will become better.

“If you want to give the players something at the moment, it’s that belief and confidence. That only comes through being successful, which we haven’t been so far. It’s only us that can do something about it. We have to work hard to change our mood.”

Given Blackpool’s losing streak, the Seasiders could soon find themselves in a bit of a rut – but Critchley doesn’t expect his players to get too down in the dumps.

He added: “I felt for the players on Tuesday night, because to play for that long against good opposition with 10 men – I know they played the second half with 10 men as well – but to play a whole half with 10 men against 11 does make a difference later on in the game and I felt the players deserved a reward for that effort.

“I can’t fault the endeavour of the players and they have been giving everything in all of the games.

“It would have been a satisfying feeling for the players to have something at the end of that game knowing their efforts were rewarded.”

James Husband will serve the first of his two-match suspension against MK Dons today following his red card on Tuesday, his second dismissal of the season.

Blackpool’s squad is otherwise likely to remain unchanged, although Daniel Gretarsson could come into contention.