Neil Critchley says there's more to come from Blackpool's new midfield partnership

The pair played together for the first time on Tuesday night in Blackpool’s 2-0 win against Northampton Town.

The central midfielders were in impressive form, leaving Pool fans salivating about a potentially exciting partnership that should only blossom in the coming weeks and months.

But Critchley issued a note of caution, warning that Dougall and Stewart didn’t quite hit the heights he knows they’re able to reach.

“I think they can do better because I know how good they are,” Pool’s head coach said. “But they will get better.

“Kev will get better with the games. But what he does show is good leadership qualities, he’s got good experience of managing games and talking players through the game.

“Kenny has come straight back into the team after being out with Covid, so the more those two play together their understanding will grow and their fitness will get better.

“I believe they’ll be a really good partnership.”

Blackpool’s midweek win against the Cobblers saw Critchley hand a first start to Stewart in tangerine colours.

The defensive midfielder, a January arrival on a free transfer, also sees the potential in his dynamic partnership with Dougall.

“I’ve seen him play before I came here, I’ve played against him when he was at Barnsley so I know all about him,” Stewart told The Gazette.

“I know the type of player he is, he’s quite intelligent, so naturally we’ll have a good understanding.

“There’s a lot of potential to build a good partnership and control a lot of midfields.”

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