Blackpool head coach's message to his players after Bristol Rovers defeat

It comes after the Seasiders suffered a second consecutive defeat on Saturday, slumping to a 2-1 loss against Bristol Rovers.

Blackpool dominated for large periods of the game, only to lack a clinical touch in front of goal.

“We were continuously getting into good areas,” Critchley said.

“With the amount of crosses we had, the amount of corners we had, the amount of times we were in their penalty area and it didn’t land for us, or the goalkeeper has pulled off a save, or there was a deflection or a block, the longer the game went, you just felt it wasn’t going to be our day.

“We changed the personnel, we tried everything, but if we want to be successful and we want to be at the top half of the table, then we can’t just be unlucky all the time.

“Some of these players have aspirations of playing at the top of the division and higher, but you have to produce in those moments. That’s why the best players are the best players.

“You have to produce and on Saturday our players didn’t produce.”

Rovers came from behind to pick up the win, scoring two quickfire goals to leave the Seasiders shell-shocked.

It could have got even worse for Pool at the start of the second half when the home side were awarded a contentious penalty.

However, Sam Walker was on hand to produce a second straight spot-kick save.

“Other than the 10, maximum 15-minute spell at the start of the second half, we were the dominant team,” Critchley said.

“I didn’t think it was a corner, Ollie (Turton) has defended really well and kicked it against him for the corner that led to the penalty.

“I was mystified by the decision. The referee is on the far side of the box so I’m not sure how he’s seen it. The linesman hasn’t flagged.

“Even then, Sam makes a fantastic save to make it two penalty saves from two games. He kept us in it at that point.

“We didn’t really respond to that and they had their tails up at that point and put us under some pressure, but when we rode that storm we came right back into the game and had all the play.

“It’s just bitterly, bitterly frustrating. What happens in the penalty area decides games and how we’ve not come away with at least a point, I don’t know.”

The Gas faced an onslaught of pressure from the Seasiders in the dying moments and substitute Bez Lubala missed from six yards in added time.

“We kept going right until the end. The players’ effort and endeavour can’t be faulted,” Critchley said.

“We made changes, we really went for it, we had energy on the pitch, we had so many situations or promising situations where nothing came of it and we’ve not worked the goalkeeper or it’s not landed in the box.

“For an away team, we’ve come and played very well up until the penalty area but we’ve lost the game. This is a results business and we’ve lost and that’s all that matters.”

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