Brett Ormerod column: Blackpool’s positive signs under Neil Critchley

It was Neil Critchley’s first game at Bloomfield Road and there were plenty of promising signs.

It wasn’t the result Blackpool wanted, so I didn’t enjoy that, but I thought the actual game was very good with two teams going all out for the win.

Critchley’s style of play was very good to watch. Blackpool put a lot of pressure on the opposition, especially in the second half when they were unlucky not to come away with a point at full-time.

They put Tranmere through everything during that second half, but full credit to Micky Mellon’s side, they managed to defend and get through it to end up winning the game.

They played very well during the first half and they didn’t look like a side battling relegation.

It certainly didn’t look like it was a game being played between a mid-table side and one in the bottom three, there was a lot more quality on show than that.

Blackpool were fantastic in that second half though. They threw everything at them and the goal Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored was brilliant, but they just couldn’t get that second goal.

If that performance is a sign of things to come then there should be some great football for Blackpool’s fans to watch in the future.

Tranmere’s front two looked very good. I did the commentary in the initial game at Prenton Park and Morgan Ferrier looked a threat on that occasion as well, but apparently that was the last time he had scored before Tuesday night!

I know he’s had injuries, but perhaps he just likes playing against Blackpool. He was particularly outstanding while his strike partner, James Vaughan, was good as well.

Tranmere’s goals were by no means tap-ins either, so you have to give them credit.

It was obviously a bit frustrating at full-time as Blackpool didn’t deserve to lose the game, they gave it everything so a point is the least they deserved.

Focusing on Critchley’s recent appointment, it’s a sign of how ambitious Blackpool are to go for an Under-23 coach who was doing so well at Liverpool.

He’s worked and studied under Jurgen Klopp and he knows exactly what he wants, having coached some of the best young players in the country.

He will bring a lot of experience and knowledge with him, so I’m hoping he does really well.

I certainly enjoyed the way he got Blackpool playing on Tuesday night, albeit the result wasn’t what he would have wanted.

However, if that’s how Blackpool will be playing going forwards I’m sure there will be many a good game at Bloomfield Road.

Blackpool are in an unusual position now where they don’t have a great deal to play for, but that gives Critchley the time to assess his squad and see what he wants. You don’t always have that luxury.

He’s come in and started with a ridiculously hard game at Fleetwood but he’s got a point there.

It’s very unlikely they’ll make the play-offs unless they go on an absolute worldie run, while I don’t see them getting dragged into the relegation scrap.

That gives him something a lot of managers don’t usually get, which is that bit of breathing space.

I’ve no doubt in my mind he’ll want to win every game between now and the end of the season but he will be able to look at things without having too much pressure on him as he looks to build for next season.

In Dewsbury-Hall, he’s got a fantastic player on loan.

It was a great left-footed strike against Tranmere and he worked really hard, but I was also impressed with Connor Ronan as well.

Blackpool have brought in a lot of players and some are still settling in, but it’s clear to see what sort of calibre of player they’re looking for.