Blackpool continuing to prepare as normal for Crewe game amid fears it could be called off

Neil Critchley says his Blackpool side continue to prepare as normal for this weekend’s trip to Crewe Alexandra amid concerns the game could be called off.

The Railwaymen postponed their rearranged game against Oxford United in midweek having informed the EFL they were “unable to fulfil the fixture”.

The match was originally due to take place on October 3, but it was called off just 35 minutes before kick-off when Crewe defender Omar Beckles tested positive for Covid-19.

The game was then rescheduled for Tuesday of this week, but was postponed for a second time following latest government advice - throwing Blackpool’s trip to Gresty Road on Saturday in doubt.

That’s despite Crewe hosting Wigan Athletic last Saturday, easing to a 3-0 victory.

In a statement, the EFL said they would continue to work with Crewe to “ensure the fixture with Blackpool and subsequent games go ahead as planned”.

When asked about the situation, Critchley said: “We’re in dialogue with the EFL and Crewe and at this moment in time we’re planning as if the game will go ahead. They’re confident the game will go ahead.

“We have to prepare as we would do normally. But if we get told in the next 48 hours that something changes then we can’t control that, we can only control how we prepare.

“We have to trust in the protocolos that are in place that, if the game does go ahead, then everyone is safe to take to the field.”

There seems to be a lot of confusion among club officials about what the official guidelines dictate about when games ought to be postponed.

A number of games have gone ahead in recent weeks despite positive Covid tests, while others have been postponed.

“I think there’s been a few differences in the past few weeks from looking from the outside,” Critchley added.

“Some games have been called off when players have tested positive and some games have gone ahead even though a player has tested positive.

“That creates an uncertainty around the situation in terms of what is right and what is wrong. We can only go off what we get told.

“I think Salford v Tranmere went ahead last week but then the Crewe v Oxford game was called off and then you’ve had Grimsby and Leyton Orient missing games as well.

“There seems to be a bit of inconsistency around games going ahead or not going ahead depending on whether players have tested positive. Is it a number of players? How many players need to test positive before a game gets called off? I don’t know the answers.

“You do think about it, but you can’t let it affect how you prepare.”

Critchley added: “I think a bit of clarity would help massively.

“There seems to be a bit of inconsistency surrounding it at the minute which leads to a lot of questions, unanswered questions too.

“I think the EFL are guided by the government and, without getting political, when there seems to be inconsistencies from the top at this moment in time, maybe the EFL are in the dark as well.

“We’re all after clarity and strong leadership at this moment in time and we don’t seem to be getting it.”