Blackpool's head coach returns to where it all began at Fleetwood Town

The Seasiders’ head coach took charge of his first game back in March when he oversaw a goalless draw at Highbury against Joey Barton’s side.

A lot has changed since that day with Chris Maxwell, James Husband, Matty Virtue, Grant Ward and Gary Madine the only players to remain at the club who were selected in Critchley’s first squad.

“You think about that occasion, the team, the players on the pitch and how different it’ll be on Saturday.

“There’s been a big turnaround in the squad, which was done for a reason. We felt it was the right thing to do.

“With that, it takes time for us to embed the things that we want to do. I think we’re starting to see the benefits of the work we’re doing.

“Football can change quickly. Fleetwood’s team will probably be closer to what it was on that day, but they’ve still had some changes themselves.

“It will be two relatively new sets of players on the pitch on Saturday in what should be a really intriguing game of football.

“Fleetwood are in good form, we’re in good form. It’s just such a shame the ground won’t be full and we can’t share what should be a really good game of football with the supporters.”

Despite losing 1-0 at Northampton Town in midweek, Fleetwood remain finely poised to launch another promotion challenge under Barton’s stewardship.

“It was only a few months back they fell at the semi-final hurdle in the play-offs,” Critchley added.

“You look at their team now and what it was in that play-off game, I’m sure they’ll be hoping to be up and around the play-offs once again.

“They’re heading towards that and you’ve got to give great credit to the job Joey has done.”

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