Blackpool boss makes a case for the defence ahead of Lincoln City trip

Neil Critchley admits his side’s defensive form is so good it would come as a shock if Blackpool were to concede away from home.
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The Seasiders head to Sincil Bank today to take on promotion rivals Lincoln City on the back of five straight victories on their travels, all of those wins being accompanied by clean sheets.

In total, Pool haven’t conceded during their last eight hours of action away from home.

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“Those wins have come against some very good teams too,” Critchley said.

Blackpool have kept a number of clean sheetsBlackpool have kept a number of clean sheets
Blackpool have kept a number of clean sheets
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“We haven’t conceded in those games and it won’t last forever, at some point we’ll have to be prepared for ‘what ifs?’

“If we were to concede a goal away from home it would be quite a shock at the moment because we’ve not conceded in five, but it will happen eventually.

“We just have to be prepared for that, and with the experiences this group has had this season, we’ll be well set to come through those types of situations. We’ll be ready to adapt and cope.”

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Blackpool’s away form has coincided with the goalscoring exploits of Jerry Yates, who has found the back of the net on six occasions in his last four games.

“He’s full of confidence. He’s scoring goals but it’s not just his goals, it’s his all-round contribution which has been excellent,” Critchley said.

“He’s played with Gary (Madine), he’s played with Ellis (Simms), he’s played with Elliot (Embleton), he’s been on his own, he’s been in a one, he’s been in a two.

“He leads the line brilliantly well and whatever job you ask him to do, he does it to the best of his ability. He’s got a bit of everything about him, but the most important thing for him is scoring goals because he’s a goalscorer and he loves putting the ball in the back of the net and he’s doing a great job of that at the moment.

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“It comes naturally for Jerry to be a team player, you can see he plays for the team and sometimes you have to remind him he does a lot of selfless running when he needs to be in goalscoring positions.

“Yes, do your running for the team, do your closing down, do your pressing, but just remember to get in and around the six-yard box because you’re a goalscorer.

“A little reminder every now and then doesn’t do any harm, but you also don’t want to take away his natural enthusiasm for the game.”

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