Neil Critchley a breath of fresh air at Blackpool says Jay Spearing

Critchley had only a short time working with the players prior to the coronavirus outbreak but he has made a lasting impression.

Liverpool’s former Under-23 coach was appointed Pool boss on March 2. After just a couple of days working with the players, Critchley oversaw an impressive display in the goalless draw at Fleetwood Town.

And although his second game ended in a 2-1 defeat by Tranmere Rovers, there were plenty of promising signs for the Bloomfield Road faithful.

“He kicked us on,” Spearing told Liverpool FC TV. “The work he was doing on the training field and the level of detail, it was class. We could see it working within two or three weeks.

“He said, ‘I can’t believe this has happened’ because it couldn’t have come at a worse time for him.

“It’s all new to him, it’s new to us and it’s something we have to get on with. But he was really good.

“We’ve all seen him doing his job at Liverpool for seven or eight years – his creativity and the way he wants to play is very similar. He was a real breath of fresh air to the club.

“He said on his first day that he wouldn’t have left his job at Liverpool – we all agreed he could have stayed there a long time – but he wanted a new challenge and felt it was the right time to accept the challenge.”

Critchley replaced Simon Grayson, who was sacked after a dismal run of one win in 12 games had left the Seasiders 15th in League One.