New boss Neil Critchley will give the Blackpool fans what they want, claims Leicester City loan star

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall believes Blackpool’s new head coach Neil Critchley will serve up the type of football the club’s fans want to see.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now
Read More
Blackpool's 2019/20 League One season 'could be cancelled as early as next week'...

Critchley took charge of two games prior to the coronavirus outbreak, the 0-0 draw against Fleetwood Town and the unfortunate 2-1 defeat to Tranmere Rovers.

Despite not getting the results the former Liverpool Under 23 coach would have wanted, there was a noticeable change in Blackpool’s style of play.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has been hugely impressed by Blackpool's new head coach Neil CritchleyKiernan Dewsbury-Hall has been hugely impressed by Blackpool's new head coach Neil Critchley
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has been hugely impressed by Blackpool's new head coach Neil Critchley
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Seasiders played on the front foot and at a far higher tempo, something Dewsbury-Hall believes will pay dividends in the long term.

“You could tell straight away what he wanted from us all and it’s clear that he knows his stuff,” the Leicester City loanee said.

“In those first few weeks he really got to work on the way he wants us to play and gave us the belief that we have what it takes to be a success.

“He wants to play an exciting brand of football. Forward-thinking, in your face and not giving the opposition time to think. I think that’s the football supporters want to see.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Dewsbury-Hall has been the star of Blackpool’s second half of the campaign, having moved to Bloomfield Road during the January transfer window.

It is the 21-year-old’s first loan spell away from his parent club Leicester, where he made his senior debut in January in an FA Cup tie at Brentford.

The midfield maestro added: “It’s my first experience of men’s football, after spending all of my time with Leicester’s Under 23’s prior to coming here. I think I’ve adapted well to the difference – the physicality, the higher tempo, the added pressure.

“It helps that there is a good bunch here. We all get on really well and enjoy playing alongside each other.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The supporters here have also been great to me which gives me the confidence to go out onto the pitch and express myself, get forward and create and score goals.”

The Gazette understands Christoffer Mafoumbi is likely to extend his loan spell with League Two side Morecambe should football eventually resume.

The goalkeeper, whose contract at Bloomfield Road expires at the end of the season, made nine appearances for the Shrimpers after making the move to the Globe Arena in January.