Blackpool head coach believes his players' efforts have gone unrewarded

The Seasiders take on Ipswich Town this afternoon, looking for only their second win of the campaign having been beaten in three of their opening four league games.

Despite Blackpool’s slow start, Critchley remains confident his side will continue to improve as the season goes on.

“I think the performances haven’t been backed up by the results so far,” he said.

“I think, other than the Gillingham game, we should have got something from all of the other games, at least a draw.

“You look at the Lincoln game at the weekend, they’ve now won four games out of four but I thought for the vast majority of the game we were the better team. I don’t think anyone could have argued had we ended up winning 2-1.

“To come away with nothing was difficult to take, but we’re a team that is in transition and we’re a team that is learning and will improve. But we want to do that while we’re winning games as well.

“We’ve got lots to work on and that’s our goal every week, to make sure we improve together as a team.”

There’s been a big turnaround in players at Bloomfield Road this summer, Monday’s arrivals of Dan Ballard and Daniel Gretarsson making it 15 signings since the end of last season.

A further 20 players, meanwhile, have gone the other way.

With so much change, Critchley admits it’s only natural that it will take time for Blackpool to fully hit their stride.

“There’s been a huge turnaround in personnel and some of those players are at different stages of their fitness,” Critchley added.

“Some have been here since minute one of pre-season, some have only just joined, and some haven’t had a pre-season.

“Players are in different stages of where they’re at so it’s going to take a while for the group to settle. They need to learn and understand each other, and the dynamic of the group will settle down the longer we’re together. It will take time though.”

Blackpool will be without Matty Virtue once again for today’s visit of Ipswich, while Sullay Kaikai and Gary Madine remain injury doubts. Gretarsson is available for selection but Ballard is on international duty.