Blackpool Q&A: Impact of key men returning and big captaincy call
Blackpool bounced back from a hammering to Plymouth Argyle with a 1-0 victory over Mansfield Town.
It’s been a week of big decisions and important comebacks for Blackpool.
The Seasiders a reaction after their disastrous 4-0 defeat to Plymouth Argyle at the weekend, with their slump since the turn of the year hitting a new low.
Fortunately there was a reaction from Ian Evatt’s side as they picked up a 1-0 victory over Mansfield Town.
It wasn’t a pretty performance, but it was a display built on hard work to pick up a vital three points.
Just how important is Ennis to Blackpool?
Niall Ennis scored the only goal of Tuesday night’s contest, as he offered a reminder of what he brings to the table.
Ashley Fletcher has been Blackpool’s key man this season, with his success being built on graft at both ends of the field, and a drive to get himself into the right areas.
Ennis is a different proposition. On the whole, he can go unnoticed throughout the majority of matches.
The 26-year-old is someone that just has a knack of coming alive for a split second to make the most of an opening.
That was the case against Mansfield. Even with a cross into the box being slightly behind him, he still sensed a chance, with his finish on the turn into the bottom corner being an example of what separates from others.
Even without the ex-Stoke City man being fully fit, having an additional natural goal threat up front alongside Fletcher should prove crucial in certain games for the Seasiders between now and the end of the season.
How missed has Fraser Horsfall been at Bloomfield Road?
While Ennis’ return to the starting XI provided a boost up front, there was probably an even bigger impact from Fraser Horsfall at the back.
The centre back had just hit his best form in Tangerine when he was derailed by a hamstring injury on New Year’s Day.
Having arrived with a strong reputation as a free agent from Stockport County, the 29-year-old’s first few months on the Fylde Coast were disappointing. He just didn’t look like the player the Seasiders thought they were getting.
That was until Evatt took over, with Horsfall immediately looking more at home in a back three.
Over the past month, his presence has been missed. On Tuesday night, he just commanded the team so well and looked full of confidence - whether it was winning challenges in the air or bringing the ball forward.
Harsh punishment or fair call for Husband?
James Husband was one of the players to drop out of the Blackpool defence against the Stags, with the defender serving his first game of a four-game ban after being sent off against Plymouth for kicking out.
Alongside being suspended, the 32-year-old has also been punished internally, receiving the maximum sanction available to the club as well as being stripped of the captaincy.
First things first, it’s only right there’s some form of additional punishment. The game was gone, it’d already been an afternoon to forget, and there was no need to make matters worse.
It’s understandable that he would’ve been frustrated, and he was on the wrong end of a bad tackle, but to react in that manner was pure stupidity.
He’s an experienced player - he should know better and should be setting a better example.
Everyone’s aware of the problems Blackpool have faced numbers-wise due to injuries, so doing something that makes that situation worse is a bit selfish in some ways.
The financial punishment is more than fair, and a message had to be sent out that his actions weren't acceptable.
In terms of the captaincy - there’s two sides of an argument that are easy to see. One stupid act doesn’t wipe out years of service to the club, so in that sense it feels harsh, but equally as someone wearing the armband it’s important to set the right example.
The decision probably isn’t too surprising. George Honeyman has taken on the responsibility for the majority of the season, and suits the role.
Even when Husband has been on the pitch, the midfielder has still been the one to lead the team out.
It feels like a harsh punishment, but when you consider the wider picture of where the Seasiders are, perhaps the coaches felt an example had to be made.
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