OPINION: Blackpool will not require any extra motivation against Swindon Town

If you hadn’t noticed, the Seasiders caused a bit of a stir down in Wiltshire earlier this summer when they nabbed Keshi Anderson and Jerry Yates from underneath Swindon Town’s noses.

Both played leading roles in Swindon’s League Two title win last season, Yates scoring 13 goals on loan from Rotherham United and Anderson impressing with his energy and dynamism in midfield.

Fast forward a few months and the duo will now line up against the Robins for Neil Critchley’s side on Saturday.

Swindon fans, somewhat tongue-in-cheek one would hope, accused Blackpool of attempting to ‘buy the league’ when they dared to pay a fee for Yates’ services, having already brought in Anderson on a free transfer.

It’s that sort of bitterness that would have made this Saturday’s game such a tasty affair had both sets of supporters been allowed in the ground. But alas, we might have to wait a little while longer for that.

Nevertheless, it’s still hugely exciting to know fans will be back inside Bloomfield Road on Saturday for the first time since March.

It might only be 1,000, but I’m sure that will provide Neil Critchley and his players with a huge boost. Simon Sadler, chief executive Ben Mansford and the rest of Blackpool’s hierarchy will no doubt be thankful for the financial boost, too.

Hopefully the return of fans will be capped off with a win, with Anderson and Yates fired up to show Swindon exactly what they’re missing.

Swindon boss Richie Wellens helped fan the flames with his outspoken views during Yates’ protracted transfer saga.

This, of course, comes just a few months after the former Blackpool midfielder had been approached to take over from Simon Grayson.

Swindon, somewhat predictably, went public with Blackpool’s approach and handed their gaffer a new three-and-a-half-year deal in the process.

When you consider Blackpool were also strongly linked with Anthony Grant and Rarmani Edmonds-Green, another two players that featured heavily for Swindon last season, you can see why their fans might harbour some resentment towards the Seasiders.

For Blackpool, tomorrow’s game is about one thing and one thing only: recording their first win of the season.

The opening day defeat at Plymouth Argyle was a blow, no-one likes to start the season on the wrong end of a result especially when there’s been so much pre-season optimism.

But all the signs were positive aside from the end result. Play that game another 10 times and the likelihood is Pool would win the majority of them.

If we see a repeat performance this weekend, surely the Seasiders will be celebrating their first three points of the season.

For that to happen, Critchley’s side certainly need to show more of a clinical touch in front of goal.

Blackpool produced an impressive 19 shots at Home Park on Saturday, a figure as impressive as it is worrying that none of them resulted in a goal.

That’s now three competitive games without a goal for the Seasiders, which is undoubtedly a cause for concern. But continue to create those chances and the goals will come, of that I’m confident.

Following the Plymouth disappointment, some have suggested there might be a little bit of pressure on Blackpool this weekend.

We’re far too early into the season for that to be the case but Critchley certainly won’t want to be sat on nil points two games in.

It seems silly even typing this after just 90 minutes of action, but Critchley won’t be panicking.

Some have suggested the Seasiders ought to change tactics, formations, their entire approach, based on one bad result.

That, thankfully, won’t be happening. Critchley, as he has done since arriving at Bloomfield Road, will stick with his 4-3-3 system. That’s what he knows and that’s what Blackpool are committed to playing.

The Seasiders will continue to play on the front foot, at a high tempo and intensity, and look to control the ball in the opposition’s half.

If you want Blackpool to switch to ‘plan B’ and launch it long or, God forbid, get it wide and get crosses in the box – a predictable tactic that was their downfall last season – then you’ll be disappointed.

I do find it ironic that Armand Gnanduillet got nothing but flak last season – despite scoring 18 goals – for supposedly limiting Blackpool to a long-ball side that was too easy to play against.

One defeat under the new regime and, all of a sudden, fans – a minority I’d hope – were pining for Gnanduillet to return.

Oh the joy of fickle football fans, it’s not been the same without them these last few months! It’s good to be back moaning about the proper stuff once again.