Neil Critchley gives his assessment of Blackpool's first half to the season

Tuesday night’s 2-0 win against Northampton Town was Blackpool’s 23rd game of the campaign.

Ahead of Saturday’s game against Ipswich Town, that leaves the Seasiders on 34 points and in 12th place in the League One table.

Six points adrift of the play-offs, Critchley’s side still have a game in hand to play on several sides in and around them.

“I would hope we get more than 34 points in the second half of the season, but I think we should have more than that from the first half,” Critchley said.

“Some of the games we lost, we should have won never mind draw, so we should be a few points better off than what we are.

“This is a difficult league, every game proves that. There’s fine margins in every game, but this team’s understanding is getting better and you can just sense that in the group.

“Earlier on in the season the Northampton game is a game that we might have drawn or even lost, but we’ve found a way to win.

“If you’re going to be successful, you have to find different ways of winning football matches.”

Blackpool’s midweek fixture was their first of eight games in the month of February.

But Critchley is far from daunted by the challenge that lies ahead and believes the Seasiders have what it takes to deal with the hectic schedule.

“I feel as though we’re prepared for it. Through preparation, your recovery and your squad management, you can get an advantage,” Pool’s head coach said.

“I believe with the squad we’ve got we will stay strong until the end of the season and our consistency is improving.

“This group will get better in the second half of the season.”

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