'It’s a nice feeling to record back-to-back victories': Neil Critchley gives his verdict on Blackpool's hard-earned win against Wigan

Blackpool boss Neil Critchley was pleased with his side’s resolute display in their hard-earned win against Wigan Athletic.

Sullay Kaikai’s strike at the start of the second-half was enough to separate the two sides, helping Pool record back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

The Seasiders weren’t necessarily at their free-flowing best once again but they did what was required to get the job done to move into the top half in League One.

“It’s a nice feeling to record back-to-back victories,” Critchley said.

“I think over the course of the 90 minutes it was a deserved win. That one moment of quality from Sullay has decided the game, a bit like the MK Dons game really so we’re making a bit of a habit of ‘Sullay Kaikai, 1-0’ and that’s a nice habit to have.

“It wasn’t pretty all the way through, we can play better football, but I think we defended the goal throughout the whole of the game very well and limited them to very little.

“With the chances we created we could have made the game slightly easier for ourselves.

“We had a little period where you’re thinking if we get the second goal then we can put the game to bed and we didn’t do that.

“The longer it stays 1-0 you know they can throw everyone forward and take the opportunity to throw caution to the wind and throw balls into the box.

“I wouldn’t say we were hanging on at the end, but we had to defend a lot of long balls and balls into the box and we defended them manfully.

“I was really pleased, not just with the defenders but the whole team with their spirit, which was outstanding.”

Along with the three points, Critchley was also delighted to keep a clean sheet - Blackpool’s third of the league campaign this season.

“They’re important and as a team,” he said.

“I’d have to say barring one or two games this season and in pre-season we’ve been very hard to score against.

“We don’t concede too many chances and that’s not just the defenders, it’s the work of the whole team. We make it difficult for teams to create chances against us.

“We’d like to score one or two more at the other end and I think it will come with greater confidence and composure and the more the players play together and develop those relationships and understanding.

“I’m sure more goals will come in future.”