'It's crucial this is the start of something': Blackpool take on AFC Wimbledon bidding to claim first away win in over a year

Blackpool will be looking for their first away win in over a year when they take on AFC Wimbledon at Loftus Road tonight.
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Neil Critchley issues fresh squad update ahead of Blackpool’s trip to AFC Wimble...

The Seasiders last won on their travels on September 17, 2019 – 406 days ago – when Armand Gnanduillet’s stoppage-time header handed them a 1-0 victory against Doncaster Rovers.

Pool haven’t won any of their five away games in all competitions under Neil Critchley so far this season, a record they’ll be looking to put right against the Dons this evening.

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Despite the unwanted record, Critchley insists it’s not playing too much on the players’ minds.

“I don’t really think of it like that, we just approach every game to win - home or away,” he said.

“I think we showed that when we went to Crewe recently. We weren’t on a great run but we didn’t go there and put everyone behind the ball, defend and hang on for a draw. It was being the aggressors, it was us taking the game to Crewe right until the last minute and that’s what we intend to do in every game we play.

“We want to be a team that plays on the front foot and going for the win, that should be our intention in every game regardless of whether it’s home or away.”

This will be the last game in AFC Wimbledon's ground share with QPR before returning to Plough LaneThis will be the last game in AFC Wimbledon's ground share with QPR before returning to Plough Lane
This will be the last game in AFC Wimbledon's ground share with QPR before returning to Plough Lane
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It comes after Blackpool claimed a much-needed three points on Saturday, Sullay Kaikai scoring on his return in the 1-0 victory against MK Dons.

Critchley says the win, just Pool’s second of the campaign, mustn’t be a false dawn for his side.

“It’s really crucial this is the start of something. We’ve got to go and back that performance up,” he said.

“I’d like to think with the way we work and the messages we give that we’ve remained positive when the situation hasn’t been going the way we would have wanted it to during the last few weeks.

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“But after the game on Saturday, it wasn’t like winning a cup final. It’s just like ‘okay, that’s what we’re supposed to do, that’s what we’re expected to do’ and to be honest it’s what I expect from this group of players.

“We need to go to Wimbledon and put on another good performance, because we want to get on a good run where we’re picking up results.

“This group is capable of that, so why can’t we go to Wimbledon and back up Saturday’s result?”

Blackpool’s squad is unlikely to change from Saturday, with Luke Garbutt, Matty Virtue and Keshi Anderson still sidelined with injuries.

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James Husband will also miss out for the second game running, the defender serving the final game of his suspension.

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