Blackpool boss Neil Critchley says: Life issues more important than football
Blackpool head coach Neil Critchley admits talking about football during the current coronavirus pandemic makes him feel slightly uncomfortable.
That is expected to remain the case until April 3 at the earliest, while the Seasiders won’t play again before April 30.
Critchley said: “There are some things that are bigger than football. This is a life issue and a society issue.
“We all have to be responsible, listen to the advice that is being given to us and follow the guidelines.
“It’s important to look after yourselves and look after each other. If we do that, then we can look forward in the weeks and months ahead to being healthy and enjoying our football again.
“We have to look after each other and be responsible at this moment in time.
“We have to put our staff and players at the forefront of every decision we make.
“You can only control what you can control. It’s out of our hands and it’s a challenging time for all of us.
“Even talking about football makes me feel slightly uncomfortable because there’s obviously a bigger picture to this.
“The message to all our supporters is to take care of yourselves and take care of each other. We hope that we can all come back together in a few months’ time and enjoy watching our team together again.”
Critchley has been Blackpool boss for three weeks but due to the current issues has only overseen two matches.
He has, however, taken charge of training at the blustery Squires Gate several times.
Critchley added: “Where I came from, the Liverpool academy at Kirkby was called ‘Windy Harbour’, so I’m an expert at training and playing in the wind.
“Many years ago I played a few games at Squires Gate, where we train, so it’s nothing new to me.
“I came here with my eyes wide open because, believe me, in the last few years at Liverpool we had some very windy days. It’s nothing I’m not used to.”