Blackpool squad's chance to relax ahead of a busy fixture list

The Seasiders enjoy a rare Saturday without a game today, owing to their decision to bring forward the scheduled fixture against Ipswich Town.

It gives Blackpool the luxury of resting and recuperating ahead of their trip to table-topping Peterborough United next weekend.

“There will be a bit of rest for the players now,” Critchley said after Wednesday night’s EFL Trophy win against Leeds United’s Under-21s.

“We’ll be in for training on two of the days, so it won’t be complete rest but we have to make use of the week of training we’ve got leading into the Peterborough game.

“After that, we’re playing every midweek right up until Christmas and beyond, so it will be just playing, resting and recovering, and then playing again.

“There won’t be a lot of time to do team and tactical work and preparation for games, so next week’s training will be important for the group.

“We’re still in the FA Cup and we’ve now qualified for the knockout stages of the EFL Trophy, which is what we want.

“We want to be in all of the competitions. We want to compete and be successful.

“It’s a nice few days for the players to recover mentally and physically.”

Blackpool have had to do plenty of travelling in recent weeks, having taken on the likes of AFC Wimbledon and Eastbourne Borough.

It doesn’t get any easier for Critchley’s side, who have three away trips on the spin, starting with Peterborough on Saturday, November 21.

The Seasiders then make the journey across the Pennines twice in quick succession, taking on Doncaster Rovers before coming up against Harrogate Town in the second round of the FA Cup.

Blackpool aren’t back at Bloomfield Road until Tuesday, December 1, when they welcome Portsmouth to the Fylde coast.

“Peterborough, Doncaster and Harrogate all away and then there’s Sunderland coming up and other journeys to come as well,” Critchley added.

“That’s the life of a footballer, we’re on the road sometimes and we have to recover and always think about picking the fresh team and the right team that’s going to take to the pitch.

“Some players have got 90 minutes in the EFL Trophy on Wednesday night who haven’t been playing recently and that will do them the world of good for the next few games if they’re called upon.”

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