'Blackpool were crying out for an ugly win': Matt Scrafton's verdict on the Seasiders' much-needed three points against MK Dons

The Seasiders approached this game sitting second from bottom in the League One table, taking on the side that sat directly above them with just one win apiece.

To their credit, the Blackpool camp weren’t hiding from the significance of this fixture during the lead-up. They knew full well they couldn’t afford to lose. A win was all that mattered.

Does this victory paper over the cracks? Absolutely not. But hopefully it gives Neil Critchley and his men something to build on, some foundations at last to speak of ahead of two winnable away games against similarly lowly opposition.

Let’s not shy away from it, had Blackpool lost on Saturday and failed to win at AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday night, the pressure really would have been on. This hard-earned, if at times unspectacular three points, at least gives them some breathing space.

Since suffering the 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Ipswich Town, Pool have only conceded twice in their following three games. Defensively they’re looking a lot more solid.

When you’re bidding to change the team’s style of play, as Critchley is doing, you still need to find a way of grinding out results. Keeping a defined shape, constantly closing down and being hard to beat at least gives them a solid base to work from.

Dan Ballard played a sizeable role in that, delivering an assured and imposing display on his first start for the club. Having come on after just three minutes against Charlton Athletic in midweek, the Arsenal loanee has been voted Man of the Match in his first two outings. Mightily impressive.

Ballard’s introduction to the team also seems to have had a positive effect on fellow centre-back Marvin Ekpiteta, with this hopefully being the first telltale signs of what could flourish into a reliable partnership.

With the way Blackpool play, working tirelessly out of possession, defending involves the whole team, not just the centre-backs and the back four. Generally speaking, Blackpool have been very good in that regard.

At the other end of the pitch and in possession though, Blackpool struggled once again. Having scored for fun in pre-season, the Seasiders are now lacking creativity and guile in the final third and, dare I say it, look devoid of ideas at times.

Blackpool produced just two shots on target against MK Dons and only managed three in total during last week’s games against Crewe and Charlton. It’s a real worry.

But as long as the Seasiders continue to keep themselves in games, you’d like to think the attacking harmony will improve as the season wears on and more chances will be created.

But on this occasion, Blackpool’s goal against MK Dons came out of nowhere. It wasn’t like they were constantly banging on the door.

Nevertheless, it was a well-taken effort from Sullay Kaikai, who got into a good area to steer home a first-time shot after latching onto CJ Hamilton’s pullback to cap off his return from injury with a goal.

Looking on the bright side, the Seasiders did get into some promising positions on a fairly regular basis, especially in the first-half. But too often the final ball let them down.

Hamilton was the biggest culprit, failing to pick out unmarked teammates in the centre on a couple of occasions when a simple pass was all that was required.

It’s a catch-22 situation for Blackpool in that Hamilton continues to frustrate in the final third and yet he’s so often their only attacking presence and threat. He’s an enigma who makes you want to bang your head against a brick wall at times, but Blackpool are certainly better off with him in their side than not.

He did, however, struggle in the opening 45 minutes against MK Dons, having started the game on the left flank.

Blackpool, changing from their 4-3-3 system for the first time this season, instead lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Hamilton and Kaikai flanking the returning Jerry Yates with Ben Woodburn behind him in the number 10 position.

It was, as Critchley admitted post-match, a change intended to stop MK Dons from playing out from the back, as they like to do so often.

The hope was that Pool would win the ball back high up the pitch thanks to their constant pressing. They probably would have done as well had it not been for the referee’s willingness to award the visitors free-kicks every time they dropped to the floor, which appeared to be a deliberate tactic to avoid Blackpool’s harrying and closing down.

MJ Williams was a major influence in that, the midfielder performing well once again. The Seasiders certainly look more balanced with a more-controlled presence like Williams in their midfield.

All in all, this wasn’t the prettiest of performances but it was what it was. It did the job.

But Blackpool must use this as a springboard now, this can’t be a false dawn like the win against Southend United was for Blackpool last season under Simon Grayson.

We must, however, take into account the poor quality of opposition, MK Dons were by far and away the weakest side Blackpool have come up against so far this season.

Russell Martin’s side passed it well but they looked completely toothless when they got into Blackpool’s half. A long season awaits, I think.

As for Pool, Critchley was quoted as saying wins can often mask a multitude of sins in the build-up to this game. Let’s just hope that’s not the case here.