Neil Critchley: One win can transform season for Blackpool

The 4-1 humbling at the hands of table-topping Ipswich Town was Blackpool’s fourth defeat in five League One games and leaves them stranded in the bottom four.

Pool have a free week before Saturday’s trip to Crewe Alexandra, who were 3-0 winners against Wigan Athletic last weekend.

Head coach Critchley remains confident his side will transform their fortunes and go on to enjoy a successful campaign.

“We don’t want to get into the habit of losing,” he admitted to The Gazette. “But we’ve got 41 games to go. It’s still very early.

We’ve got a new group of players, having made lots of changes, and it’s going to take some time. But I fully believe in the way we work. I fully believe in the players out there.

“One win can quickly become two or three and I think we’re very capable of turning this little bad start into wins. When we do that, we still feel we will be a hard team to beat this season.”

Critchley handed a first league start of the campaign to striker Gary Madine, who rewarded his boss with Saturday’s consolation goal.

The 30-year-old’s selection saw Jerry Yates move to the left wing, where he often played for Swindon Town last season, and Critchley was impressed with Madine’s display.

“I thought his general all-round play was very good,” he added. “I thought Ipswich had difficulty handling him. He was a real good focal point of our attacks and I was delighted he got his goal.

“He was working his socks off right until the end, pressing forward and pressing the goalkeeper. I thought he was a catalyst for the others following his example.”