Blackpool boss keeps the faith following Lincoln City draw

Blackpool’s frustrating setback against Lincoln City has only strengthened the team’s resolve and confidence ahead of the final run-in.
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That’s according to head coach Neil Critchley, whose side return to action against Accrington Stanley tonight after being pegged back to draw 2-2 against the Imps at Sincil Bank on Saturday.

Deservedly leading by two goals thanks to Ellis Simms and Sullay Kaikai, the Seasiders ought to have been out of sight after missing a host of chances.

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Michael Appleton’s men then produced an unlikely late comeback to deny Blackpool what would have been a sixth straight away win.

Neil Critchley saw his Blackpool players draw at the weekendNeil Critchley saw his Blackpool players draw at the weekend
Neil Critchley saw his Blackpool players draw at the weekend
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“Our initial reaction was one of disappointment and anger that we hadn’t won the game,” Critchley conceded.

“But 24 and 48 hours later, on reflection, if anything I think it strengthens our confidence and our belief in the way that we played.

“If you analyse the whole performance, for large periods of the game we were the better team and we were dominant.

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“To do that away against a team that’s pushing for a play-off position and has been at the top of the league – we were the better team and should have won the game – we can take a lot of confidence and belief from that.

“So, if anything, it actually strengthens our belief in how we’ve been playing.”

While it felt like Blackpool had been beaten on Saturday given the late blow, the draw did at least extend their unbeaten run to 14 games.

It’s a run that has included impressive wins against the likes of Peterborough United, Portsmouth, Charlton Athletic and Oxford United.

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When asked what has impressed him most during that unbeaten streak, Critchley said: “Our consistency to carry out what the players have been asked to do.

“The honesty and the work ethic from our players is outstanding and it’s remained so consistent for a long period of time.

“There have been very few moments, and I wouldn’t even say games, there have been spells in games of 20 minutes or 25 minutes where we’ve not been what I’d call a Blackpool team or what I want us to be like in the future. It’s been few and far between.

“We’ve had to play different ways with different systems because we’ve had to with certain personnel not being in the team but the players have adapted to it extremely well.

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“We’ve had to find different ways of playing and we’ve done that, so I’m extremely proud of the players in terms of how they’ve coped with those changes.

“If you look at most of the other teams in the division, especially the top teams, they have a consistent way of playing and it doesn’t change. We’ve had to change and we’ve done it very well, which is great credit to the players.”

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