Blackpool head coach's position has meant lots of learning for Neil Critchley

With 2020 drawing to a close, Pool’s head coach has reflected on his time in charge, which began back in March when the former Liverpool academy coach replaced Simon Grayson.

Critchley took charge of just two games before the season was ended prematurely due to the coronavirus outbreak, before overseeing a hectic summer of transfer business.

Despite the pre-season optimism and some promising displays, Blackpool’s season started poorly with six defeats from their opening nine league games.

That form has been turned on its head in recent weeks, with the Seasiders enjoying an impressive run of results that has seen them win 10 of their last 15 games in all competitions.

“I went to Doncaster v Shrewsbury on Tuesday night, and on the way there, I had a phone call from someone I know well from within football and he asked me how it was going,” Critchley said.

“You end up talking and looking back on everything that has happened and you think quite a lot has happened in the last six or seven months.

“It moves so quickly, from day to day you just carry on, but when you reflect on the turnaround of the squad, the coronavirus, some of the incidents in games we’ve been involved with at the start of the season...it’s nothing like I’ve experienced in football.

“It all happened so close together as well, so it’s been a crazy time.

“I’ve learned so much personally, which will hopefully stand me in good stead and benefit the players and the staff in future.

“It’s been a crazy, challenging time, but it’s also been really enjoyable. I love what I do, I love being at Blackpool. It’s a great job but we’re all in a crazy situation at the moment.

“But I get great support around me from my staff and from above, it’s a fantastic club.”

Critchley has also enjoyed watching his team’s displays in recent weeks, even last weekend when they had to dig deep to claim a point at Accrington Stanley.

“I really enjoyed that performance, despite it being completely different to some of our other displays,” he added.

“It was blood and thunder, wasn’t it? There was wind, rain and the pitch was difficult. It was what you’d probably describe as a classic English game and we weren’t found wanting in that department.

“It was two good teams on show and the aspect of that performance, where our players fought for each other on the pitch, shows we’ve got a good spirit amongst the group and that’s developed.

“The players get on well with each other off the pitch, which helps. You can see that on the training ground.

“I enjoy coming in and spending time in the players’ company and they fight for each other on the pitch, they give everything for each other because there’s a genuine spirit amongst them and that showed on Saturday.”

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