Blackpool boss pays tribute to in-form striker

The 24-year-old’s goal in Tuesday night’s emphatic 5-0 win against Wigan Athletic means he now has nine in his last 17 games in all competitions.

That’s a remarkable turnaround for the summer signing, who had started the season by failing to find the back of the net in his first 11 games.

“If he puts himself in and around the six-yard box like he has been doing, when the ball drops to him I expect him to score,” Critchley told The Gazette.

“Another one dropped to him in the second half and he controlled it but a Wigan defender blocked it.

“That’s what Jerry is, he’s a goalscorer. We keep encouraging him to be in the penalty box, stay around the goal frame, because he can finish off both feet.

“I’m delighted for him. Both him and Gary (Madine) have a little bit of competition between each other in terms of who’s going to score more goals, so Jerry is obviously disappointed when he comes off because he wants to score more than Gary and vice versa, I’d imagine.”

While Yates bagged his ninth goal of the campaign at the DW Stadium in midweek, teammate and fellow summer arrival Marvin Ekpiteta netted his first for the club.

The defender, who is the only player to have started every league game for Pool this season, got the Seasiders up and running with an opportunistic close-range effort on Tuesday night.

“It’s a really good moment for him but it’s not before time,” Critchley said.

“I’ve been telling him he needs to be contributing and scoring from set pieces, you’re always looking for three, four or five goals from your centre-backs.

“I’m delighted Marvin has got off the mark for us.”

With Blackpool boasting a comfortable lead late on against the Latics, Critchley was able to hand a first league outing to Ellis Simms and a debut to recent signing Kevin Stewart.

There was also a first league appearance for 18-year-old Rob Apter, who still found time to bag an assist despite only being on the field for a few minutes.

The highly-rated forward, who made his debut against Leeds United’s Under-21s in the EFL Trophy earlier this season, signed a professional contract with the Seasiders in November.

“It’s a great evening for him to get his debut,” Critchley said.

“It was a terrific ball in for Ellis Simms’ second goal from the corner and that’s what Rob has got, he’s got real quality on his left foot.

“He had a run on the break and he tried to shift his feet to create some space for himself and then we got the goal from the corner.

“Great night for him, great night all round.”

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 per month for the first two months. Try us today by clicking here