Blackpool boss Neil Critchley hails 'moments of quality' from Gary Madine

The 30-year-old settled Blackpool’s nerves after having to wait almost an hour to break the deadlock at Priory Lane yesterday.

The Seasiders eventually eased into the second round after Madine added a second and Jerry Yates added gloss with a third in stoppage-time.

Pool’s head coach said: “They were really good goals and good moments of quality, which up until that point we had lacked.

“That was the message to the boys at half-time –that if we stay patient and if we keep moving the ball, then the chances will come. Then it will come down to your quality in front of goal and your decision-making.

“It was two real moments of quality from Gary and I’m delighted for Jerry to get the third goal to keep him moving in the right direction.”

Despite being desperate to complete his hat-trick, Madine was brought off towards the end, with Critchley preferring to keep him fresh.

“He obviously didn’t want to come off because he wanted to stay on to get his hat-trick,” the Pool boss admitted.

“But he led the line extremely well. He’s been a really important player for us in the last few games and he provided two moments of quality, which he’s got in his locker.

“He even had a really good effort in the first half with a volley on his left foot, so I’m delighted for him.

“His contribution to the team is really important. He helps the players around him with his experience.”

With plenty of EFL sides falling victim to FA Cup upsets over the weekend, Critchley was relieved Blackpool weren’t among them, especially as they were playing on an unfamiliar 4G service.

“We trained on astroturf for the last two days,” he added. “We trained on astroturf back in Blackpool and then Eastbourne were kind enough to let us train on their pitch on Saturday night.

“We came down here and had a feel for the pitch, which was really important.

“It does play different – it rolls different, it bounces different. But this season is just different, so it’s just another challenge that was put in front of us but we’ve come through it.”

Blackpool will find out their second-round opponents this evening, with the draw taking place on BT Sport from 7pm.

Having made the long trip to East Sussex, Critchley admits he’d like a home draw in round two at the end of the month.

“That would be nice. It’s always preferable to play at home,” he said.

“But I’ve enjoyed coming down to Eastbourne and they were fantastic with the way they looked after us and the way they’ve treated us.

“That’s the magic of the FA Cup. You have to go away from home and find a way of winning, so we’ll go anywhere and play as long as we win.”

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