'It's a feeling of real frustration': Neil Critchley delivers his verdict on Blackpool's disappointing opening day defeat to Plymouth

Neil Critchley spoke of his frustration after Blackpool were made to pay for some glorious missed chances in their opening day defeat to Plymouth Argyle.

The Seasiders suffered a horror start, as League One newcomers Plymouth took the lead after just three minutes through Luke Jephcott’s header.

But Critchley’s side soon turned the screw and dominated for the remainder of the game, only to rue their wastefulness in front of goal once again.

It means the Seasiders are yet to score in competitive action this season, having fired blanks in their opening two cup games as well.

“It’s a feeling of real frustration,” Critchley said post-match.

“If you take the first 10 minutes out of the game, we played reasonably well for large parts of the game and created some good opportunities but didn’t take them.

“I’m disappointed with the start of the game and I didn’t think we finished the game well either in the last five or 10 minutes.

“But for the period in between, as the away team, I thought we were quite dominant for large periods.

“The goalkeeper has obviously played very well, he was excellent, and I thought the way Plymouth defended and their organisation was excellent as well. It was two good teams.

“I didn’t think we deserved to lose the game, put it that way.”

Blackpool recovered well to the early setback, dominating possession and creating a host of presentable chances - producing 18 shots in total.

But Plymouth defended resolutely and the Seasiders found young goalkeeper Michael Cooper in fine form.

“We deserved an equaliser before half time when you look at the chances we had,” Critchley added.

“The goal definitely knocked us back for the next eight to 10 minutes but we then started to grow into the game.

“We had a really good spell up until half time and we deserved to go into the break definitely level.

“Goals change games, they’ve got something to hang onto and unfortunately we’ve not been able to break them down. But it wasn’t for the want of trying.

“Maybe it was a little bit of luck, they had some blocks, the goalkeeper’s played really well. It just seemed to be one of those days but hopefully those days like that are few and far between.”

The second half was more of an even affair, with Plymouth having some strong periods of their own.

But Blackpool responded strongly, only to lack that clinicalness in front of goal which has been the main story of their season so far.

“I was impressed with Plymouth, it was two good teams on show,” Critchley said.

“At home you would expect them to have a spell in the game and they had a little spell for 10 to 15 minutes in the second half.

“But, as I said to my staff, if we just ride this little spell then we’ll come again and I thought we did come again.

“We had one or two moments, well probably more than that, where crosses are flashing across the box and it doesn’t seem to be falling for you.

“They defended brilliantly well, so it was very, very frustrating.”