Blackpool boss Neil Critchley ponders new challenge at Plymouth with no home fans to keep quiet

The Seasiders make the long trip to Devon to open their league campaign tomorrow against Ryan Lowe’s side, who were automatically promoted from the fourth tier last season.

Under normal circumstances, Home Park would have been packed to the rafters for the season-opener but that won’t be the case this weekend, with Covid-19 ensuring games continue to be played behind closed doors.

“It remains to be seen how that will affect things but I have thought about it myself,” Critchley admitted.

“With it being Plymouth’s first home game after being promoted, there would have been a very good crowd there.

“It’s unfortunate because as players and staff you want to sample that atmosphere. There’s nothing better than playing in front of your own supporters or even going away, quietening the home support and coming away with the points. It’s a great feeling.

“Who knows what that might look like over the next few weeks or months in terms of home advantage and how that will play out, but maybe we can be the benefactors of that on Saturday. But then again, we’re playing against Swindon next Saturday and the roles will be reversed.”

The Seasiders will be facing a team brimming with confidence following last season’s success, which will make for a tough opening encounter.

“I think any team that comes up from the league below via promotion have confidence. They have a momentum and they’re used to winning games,” Critchley added.

“They’re playing at home, they have a style of play they stick to and they’re 12 months down the line of where we’re hoping to be.

“They have a clear way of playing and they have some good attacking players capable of scoring goals. We know it will be a really tough game and we’ll have to be at our best to get a result down there.”