Neil Critchley saw 'promising' signs from Sunderland loanee Elliot Embleton on his Blackpool debut

The 21-year-old, who signed on deadline day, was thrust straight into Blackpool’s starting line-up on Saturday as they slumped to a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Ipswich Town.

The attacking midfielder played in a number 10 role behind Jerry Yates, as the Seasiders changed tact from their normal 4-4-2 system to play in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Embleton looked bright in the first-half when Critchley’s side were on top and tested the Ipswich goalkeeper with a 20-yard drive.

But he tired in the second period as the home side gained control, with Ipswich eventually seeing out the remainder of the game with ease.

On Embleton’s display, Critchley told The Gazette: “I thought he had some really promising moments, especially in the first-half.

“He kept the ball well, he showed his calmness and quality on the ball and had a really good shot from the edge of the box which the keeper saved.

“Maybe tired a little bit in the second-half, which is understandable.

“But he’ll add to the quality of our team in the final third, he’ll add that little bit of ability and that link-up play.

“Unfortunately we didn’t do that well enough as a team and as a collective against Ipswich.”

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