Neil Critchley discusses 'huge' impact fans can have amid fears Blackpool's games could go behind closed doors due to coronavirus

Neil Critchley admits to being taken aback by the backing he’s received from the Blackpool fanbase.
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Game between Blackpool and Sunderland at Bloomfield Road to go ahead as planned ...

The head coach also says the idea of games being played behind closed doors at Bloomfield Road later in the season would be “surreal”.

The Government announced yesterday that the suggestion of scrapping sporting events or staging them without spectators was premature in the fight against coronavirus, though more drastic action is possible in future as the outbreak approaches its peak.

Pool boss Neil CritchleyPool boss Neil Critchley
Pool boss Neil Critchley
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Critchley, who insists he and his players will continue to prepare for matches as normal until told otherwise, said the impact of playing in empty stadiums would be “huge”.

Ahead of tomorrow’s visit from Sunderland, Blackpool’s head coach said: “You only have to look at the effect of our fans in the game the other night against Tranmere.

“The support we had was incredible. It took me back a bit to be honest.

“We lost the game and yet they supported the team right until the end, got right behind the team and it made such a massive difference.

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“You could see the players were galvanised by the spirit and the energy coming from the stands. We were so appreciative of that.

“For there to be no-one in the ground, it would be quite a surreal scenario.

“Because no-one has really experienced it before in a competitive game, although they might have done in pre-season games, it would be a situation that nobody has ever really encountered before.

“I couldn’t really tell you how we would react until we did experience it.”

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Coming to Blackpool from Liverpool, Critchley is naturally of the belief that supporters can have a major impact on their team’s results.

Should a large number of games be played behind closed doors before the season ends, Pool’s head coach believes that will have an effect on the league table.

“First and foremost, it comes down to the players you’ve got on the pitch,” he said.

“If you’ve got good players who have a clear way of playing and there’s a belief in what they’re doing, then that’s the most important thing.

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“But you can’t stress the importance of the fans enough. If you’ve got a good, vocal home support – and away support as well, but particularly at home – it can make a difference, there’s no doubt about it.

“Would it have an impact on the league table? In close games, big games and important games towards the end of the season, yes, definitely it can, 100 per cent.”