Did fatigue play a part in Blackpool's frustrating defeat at Rochdale? Neil Critchley has his say

Neil Critchley says it’s “too simplistic” to blame Blackpool’s defeat at Rochdale last night on fatigue.

The Seasiders’ 16-game unbeaten run came to an end at Spotland as Ollie Rathbone scored the only goal of the game for the relegation-threatened hosts.

Pool were off their game and devoid of ideas in the final third, which led to accusations from some quarters that tiredness was beginning to set in as a result of the club’s hectic schedule.

But Critchley played down those suggestions, despite conceding his side’s slow start might have been a result of their physical exertions against Sunderland at the weekend.

“I think it’s too simplistic,” Critchley told The Gazette, when asked if tiredness had played a part.

“I did think we didn’t look ourselves early on with the lack of intensity, but after the 20-minute mark we were really aggressive and dominant. They haven’t got near the goal.

“They’ve had one shot, a fantastic shot, but it’s poor from our point of view. Apart from that, we were the team on the front foot, we were pressing, counter-pressing, our approach play was good, we were just lacking that final little bit.

“I didn’t think it was a lack of energy or we were missing something from an intensity point of view.

“The start was a bit sluggish though, I agree.”

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