'I don't think it was ever a 4-1 scoreline': Neil Critchley gives his verdict on Blackpool's woeful defeat to Ipswich Town

The Seasiders’ dismal early season form continued as they lost for the fourth time in just five league games.

The game was done and dusted at half-time, Ipswich holding a 3-0 lead thanks to goals from Luke Chambers, Gwion Edwards and Teddy Bishop.

Blackpool briefly threatened to make an unlikely comeback when Gary Madine pulled a goal back on the hour-mark, but Edwards bagged his second late on to put the game to bed.

Speaking post-match, Pool boss Critchley said: “It’s really difficult to summarise that game because when you’ve been beaten 4-1 you feel as though you’ve been hammered, but I don’t think it was ever a 4-1 scoreline.

“I actually thought at the start of the game we were the better team for the first 10 to 15 minutes.

“The first time they get in our penalty box they scored - we seem to be getting punished for every mistake we make at the moment. It was a hell of a strike.

“Before that we started on the front foot, won the ball back in their half a few times and got some crosses into the box.

“But to be fair to the lad, it was a hell of a strike from their right-back who I think is normally a centre-back. He won’t hit many like that again in his career, because it’s ended up right in the top corner. That seems to be the way it’s going for us at the moment.

“To then be 3-0 down at half-time, when I actually thought for large periods of the half we were the better team, is tough to take.

“Our response in the second-half was excellent. We got it back to 3-1 and if we had got it back to 3-2 - and we had lots of crosses and lots of balls into the box, it just didn’t quite fall for us, some penalty appeals - then I think it’s really interesting.

“But I don’t think 4-1 summarises that game.”