Blackpool head coach is geared up for a tough test at Brighton and Hove Albion

That’s according to head coach Neil Critchley, whose Blackpool side head to the south coast today looking to cause a cup upset for the second round running.

The Seasiders deservedly beat top flight side West Bromwich Albion in the third round, winning 3-2 on penalties following a 2-2 draw after extra time.

While Brighton are also struggling at the wrong end of the table, much like the Baggies, Critchley believes the task facing Blackpool is greater on this occasion.

“If anything, it’s probably harder this time because we’re playing away,” Pool’s head coach said.

“They’re favourites and everything is in their favour seeing as they’re playing at their home stadium, which means they don’t have to travel.

“They’ve had a free week now as well after their game last week but what a great opportunity it is for us to go and challenge ourselves against some of the best players in this country.

“That’s what you want to do in any industry or sport you’re in, you want to compete against the best.

“We’ve got a chance to go and do that in a really exciting FA Cup game on Saturday.”

Blackpool head into today’s clash having experienced an unexpected break after the postponement of their midweek fixture with Northampton Town.

While Critchley was disappointed it was called off due to a waterlogged pitch, he was happy to get a little break in what is an increasingly congested season.

“We speak about our schedule and you always plan ahead and look at what is coming up,” Critchley added.

“You only have to look at the run of games we’ve got coming up. I think we play Saturday-Tuesday from Ipswich onwards for about five weeks on the bounce.

“You’ll be at your max physically during that period, so when you get an opportunity to have a little rest it’s important you take it because, coming up, there’s going to be no chance to do that.

“The players are refreshed, we’ll have a couple of days on the training pitch and we’ll be ready to go to Brighton and look forward to a really good game.”

On the referee’s decision to call off the game, which wasn’t announced until an hour-and-a-half before kick-off, Critchley added: “I believe it was the right call.

“I have to say Paul (Flynn) the groundsman, he worked overnight prior to the West Brom game. He didn’t sleep and worked right through the night to get the game on and he did a great job that day.

“He did everything he could on Tuesday as well. He was here from 8am.

“There are some things you can control. You can control the frost a little bit by putting covers on and lights on, but you can’t stop it raining. You can’t stop it hitting the pitch.

“In both goalmouths, the ball wasn’t bouncing in certain areas and it wasn’t rolling.

“With the way the forecast was, I left the stadium just after 7pm and it was horrendous, so even had the game started it would have got worse and the safety of the players would have been jeopardised. So it was the right call.”

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