Blackpool boss Neil Critchley spells out goal for rest of season ... whenever that may be

That gives Critchley the luxury of assessing what he has at his disposal ahead of a hoped-for promotion bid next season.

The Pool head coach said: “The aim (between now and the end of the season) is to improve the team, assess all the players I’ve got in front of me and look for a bit more consistency than we’ve shown.

“I think you’ve seen that in my two games I’ve been here. I think there are some inconsistencies within the team but that can become less with the work you do on the training pitch.

“My focus at the moment is just on improving the way we work, how we work and how we’re expecting to play on the pitch.

“I’m a firm believer that if you get those things right the results will take care of themselves.”

Despite picking up just one point from his opening two games, Critchley remains pleased with many aspects of what he’s seen so far from his players.

He added: “Having reflected on the game against Tranmere and watched it back, there were lots of positives to take.

“Obviously in the second half in particular there were positives.

“I thought the energy, intensity and the willingness to never give up and go right until the end was really evident.

“We played some really good football. We were attacking, we were on the front foot and we got plenty of balls into the box.

I think the crowd really responded to that.

“However, we still lost the game, and I don’t want to be getting the plaudits and getting patted on the back if we’re losing games of football.

“We’ve got to make sure those second-half performances turn into 90 minutes and that turns into positive results because at the end of the day we all want to win games of football and I’m no different.”

Pool had a day off from training on Monday, having taken part in a session on Saturday after their game with Sunderland was postponed.

It comes after Friday’s announcement that all Premier League and EFL football had been suspended because of coronavirus.

No games will be played until April 3 at the earliest, the EFL confirmed, at which point the situation will be reassessed.

However, yesterday’s Government announcements make the prospect of a return to action so soon appear non-existent.

Blackpool’s games against Sunderland (H), Shrewsbury Town (A) and Peterborough United (A) have already been cancelled.

The reception, ticket office and club shop will all remain closed at Bloomfield Road until next Monday at the earliest.

The club confirmed last week that all tickets purchased for the postponed games will remain valid for the rearranged date.

The EFL says a further update will be issued later this week after its board meets.