Blackpool fail to tame the Shrews once again: Matt Scrafton's verdict on the Seasiders' frustrating defeat against Shrewsbury Town

It’s a bit of an understatement to say the year 2020 has been an unpredictable one, but this is one particular habit that, unfortunately for the Seasiders, remained the same on Tuesday night.

Only five goals have been scored in total during the last seven fixtures between the two sides, with Blackpool’s winless run against the Shropshire outfit dating back to 1997.

During that time, Pool have suffered nine defeats in 12 games, their last win coming in the form of a 3-1 victory under Gary Megson’s stewardship on a bitterly cold New Year’s Day.

There were similar conditions for this clash, with volunteers required to shovel snow off the pitch for a good few hours beforehand to ensure the surface was playable.

Shropshire is one of few regions to remain in tier two restrictions – something that might well have changed by the time you read this – meaning 2,000 spectators were permitted to attend this match.

But those in attendance, and I’m not entirely sure it was a sell-out, were strangely subdued, which was odd given their side’s recent rejuvenation.

Shrewsbury looked dead and buried barely a month ago, when Sam Ricketts was given his P45 having left the New Meadow outfit in 23rd spot in League One.

But under the wily old fox Steve Cotterill, the Shrews have elevated themselves up into the relative safety of mid-table.

They’re now unbeaten in eight league games since Cotterill took over, a run that has included 1-0 wins against promotion contenders Hull City, Doncaster Rovers, Lincoln City...and now Blackpool.

You know exactly what you’re going to get with a Cotterill side, but that doesn’t necessarily make it any easier to stop.

Shrewsbury were hard to break down, with their three centre-backs swarming Gary Madine as soon as the ball came into his orbit. They played the percentages and looked to threaten from free-kicks, corners and long throws.

But in truth, this was a bit of a nothing game. It was your typical sluggish battle that you tend to see around this time of year when sides are playing every few days. You've just got to do what is required to take the points.

A draw probably would have been the fairest result but if one side edged it, then you’d have to say it was probably the hosts.

Blackpool huffed and puffed and stuck in there, but they never truly looked entirely convincing and were made to rue a lacklustre first-half display, perhaps suffering the after-effects of an unscheduled 10-day break following back-to-back postponements that interrupted their flow.

A penalty ended up deciding the game, Sullay Kaikai the man penalised for a needless foul on Shaun Whalley. Pool rightly had no complaints with the awarding.

They will have been hugely frustrated with the manner in which the ball ended up in the back of the net though, considering debutant keeper Sam Walker made a superb double save prior to Dan Udoh breaking the deadlock.

The shot stopper, making his first appearance for the club having recently joined on an emergency seven-day loan, which has since been extended, got down well to save Ollie Norburn’s spot kick before lifting himself off the floor to deny Whalley.

The ball stayed alive in the danger area though, bobbling towards the back post where Udoh nipped ahead of Dan Ballard to tap home.

Aside from that, there wasn’t a great deal in the game. While Critchley bemoaned Pool’s first-half display, and rightfully so, it wasn’t like Shrewsbury were firing on all cylinders and the visitors were facing a barrage of pressure.

In fact, when you look back on it, the Seasiders probably created the better chances, even if they were too far and few between.

Madine swerved an effort from all of 30 yards narrowly over while Keshi Anderson wasted a good chance when he blazed over, rushing an effort when he needed to show some composure at the vital moment in front of goal.

Walker had been enjoying a fairly quiet debut up until the penalty drama, although in the second period he was called into action on a couple of occasions to make some vital stops to keep Pool just a goal behind.

Going the other way, the Seasiders badly missed the presence of CJ Hamilton on the right wing.

The winger, who is facing at least a couple of weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, if not longer, occupies defenders and offers a threat thanks to his blistering pace even when he’s not at his best.

While there’s no faulting Dan Kemp’s effort and endeavour, nothing really came off for the West Ham loanee and, over on the other side, Kaikai endured a frustrating night against his former club – something that was only exacerbated by his foul for Shrewsbury’s penalty.

Scoring goals has been a big problem for Blackpool this season, so to leave top goalscorer Jerry Yates on the bench was a puzzling decision from Critchley, especially when you factor in Hamilton’s absence.

All in all, this was a disappointing way to end 2020, as Pool became the first side to lose at the New Meadow this season.

Nevertheless, we can pick holes and scrutinise as much as we want, but we shouldn’t get too down. This was only Blackpool’s second defeat from their last 14 games after all, they’re still in a fine run of form.

But we must see improvements at Bristol Rovers on Saturday.

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