Neil Critchley addresses criticism that Blackpool's pressing hasn't been as successful as it was in pre-season

Neil Critchley admits Blackpool’s approach to a game varies on which team they’re coming up against.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now
Read More
'We're reviewing the footage': Blackpool considering whether or not to appeal re...

It follows criticism that Blackpool’s high-tempo, pressing style of pre-season has yet to come to fruition in the league.

The Seasiders were mightily impressive in their summer outing against Everton, when they raced into a 3-0 lead inside 12 minutes, while they led Liverpool 2-1 at half-time at Anfield before capitulating in the second period after making wholesale changes.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

On both occasions they pressed high up the pitch, forcing the opposition into mistakes before taking advantage of the opportunities that came their way in the final third.

But while Blackpool have pressed at times this season, it’s not been as often and it’s been to varying degrees of success.

When asked why that’s been the case, Critchley told The Gazette: “Teams play differently. Wimbledon don’t play the same way as Liverpool and neither do Gillingham.

“But we prepare for what we’re going to face. Plymouth and MK Dons, for example, play good football from the back. Our defensive organisation and pressing in those games, from the mid-third, was very good.

Blackpool boss Neil CritchleyBlackpool boss Neil Critchley
Blackpool boss Neil Critchley
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“You only have to look at the opportunities that we created on the counter-attack, against MK Dons in particular in the first-half, but we didn’t capitalise on them. In pre-season, we capitalised on a lot of those moments.

“That’s more to do with the moment we’re in, rather than the style of play of the teams.

“We know in some games the opposition aren’t going to play out from the back and they’re going to go slightly longer, but then we prepare to play for first balls, second balls and keeping the team together.

“I have to say, defensively - if you look at our record - Ipswich aside, we concede very few chances and concede few goals.

“Of course we’d like to be a bit more productive going the other way.”