Blackpool's players must become problem solvers

The Seasiders aim to bounce back from their midweek disappointment against Rochdale when they host Shrewsbury Town this afternoon.

Pool struggled to break down Dale on Tuesday, suffering a 1-0 defeat.

Shrewsbury, who are 18th and have lost their last three games, are also likely to adopt a similar style.

“When you’re a team that is playing well and in good form, teams find different ways of playing against you,” Critchley said.

“If you look at the games, Accrington didn’t change their style because they were playing against us, they had just been beaten 5-1 in the game before.

“So it could have been Blackpool, it could have been Hull, it could have been Crewe or Rochdale.

“When they got beaten by seven by Peterborough, they drew 0-0 with Burton in their next game, so it’s the timing of when you play teams.

“They decided to come to us and tighten up but it just happened we were next in the calendar for them.

“As for Rochdale, it wasn’t just us. If you look at their previous performances, which I obviously do, they drew 0-0 with Ipswich, they only conceded one in a number of games, so they’re becoming a team that is a lot harder to break down and score against.

“I don’t think they changed to play us, that’s their approach and it’s up to us to find the solutions to the teams we’re playing against.

“Sunderland was different, Lincoln away was different, at Rochdale we weren’t able to do it but it wasn’t for the want of trying.

“Our application was there, and for the vast majority of the performance, we controlled the game, played some really good football, moved the ball around well and had some lovely moments, but it was just the final bit in front of goal.

“If we face that type of team again, then it’s up to us to talk about the things we need to improve upon, show the players and work on it in training.”

Critchley was especially critical of Blackpool’s crossing during their defeat to Rochdale, labelling it ‘abysmal’.

“I don’t think you can talk about our players and question their quality, maybe sometimes you have an off-night for various different reasons,” Pool’s head coach added.

“Sometimes a poor cross, all of a sudden, becomes a good one because someone is standing in an area of the pitch they wouldn’t normally be standing in. It’s such a fine line.

“If Jerry (Yates) doesn’t hit the outside of the post at the start of the second half and we go 1-0 up, then they have to come out and leave more space and we might win the game 2-0 or 3-0 and we’re speaking differently after the game.

“If we get an equaliser in the last minute, we might not be talking about some of the things we’re talking about now.

“It’s important we stay consistent with how we want to play and make sure we respond again on Saturday.”

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