Blackpool's scrappy wins kickstarted their recent run of form

Having won just two of their opening 12 games, the Seasiders then ground out back-to-back victories against Burton Albion and Wigan Athletic.

Critchley’s players were far from their free-flowing best on both occasions, but given the necessity to get results, the three points were all that mattered.

“We’ve just settled down a little bit, but those early wins helped us with the confidence,” Critchley told The Gazette.

“If I cast my mind back to the Burton and the Wigan games, I think there was an edginess to our play but I don’t sense that now.

“I think the belief and the confidence is returning and is getting stronger, which is why it’s important we try and continue this run.

“That confidence in how we’re playing will only grow and that belief and momentum is really important, so we want it to continue at Fleetwood on Saturday.”

Blackpool’s watertight defending has played an instrumental role in their recent revival.

Two goals were conceded during those seven Blackpool victories, the only defeat in that time being the 3-2 loss to Doncaster Rovers.

“I believe we’ve had a couple of anomalies this season in terms of goals conceded,” Critchley continued.

“Doncaster, I’ve watched the game back and I’m still scratching my head thinking ‘How did we lose that game? How did we concede three times?’

“Chris Maxwell has had nothing to do all evening, I think they had another shot from outside the box which was straight at him, but other than that, they’ve not even had a chance. Yet we’ve conceded three goals.

“Other than that game, we’ve been hard to score against recently.

“We’re defending from the front as a team, it’s not just the defenders and the goalkeeper.

“If we continue to do that, then our attacking play will improve and the understanding between the players will improve, and we’ll become more of a goal threat.

“We’ve got players that are capable of scoring goals at the other end, so if you put those two things together it should make for a decent team.”

Another factor in Blackpool’s turnaround in form has been the introduction of Kenny Dougall, who has tasted victory in six of the seven games he’s played.

“I think we’re starting to see the best of Kenny and what he’s really capable of. He’ll only improve and get better,” Critchley said.

“He didn’t have a pre-season but you wouldn’t really notice that with the way he’s playing. He’s been fantastic.

“He brings a calm assurance to our game in the middle of the pitch and I’ve been delighted with him.

“He’s been a great addition and he’s settled into the squad straight away.

“I think he’ll be a really big player for us in the long-term as well.

“We’ve got competition within the squad, which is what we wanted, and it’s why we spent a lot of time recruiting in the summer.

“That competition can bring different challenges for the players and the staff but as long as we’re here for the bigger picture, for the benefit of the team and the club, then over the longer term we’ll all benefit together.

“What was nice after the game on Tuesday was that all the players were in the dressing room, some of them who weren’t even in the squad. There’s a good spirit amongst them.”

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