'I must have a short memory' - Why Peterborough United win was Blackpool's performance of the season
Blackpool secured a crucial 3-1 victory over Peterborough United at the weekend.
Opinion: Blackpool produced their performance of the season in their 3-1 victory over Peterborough United - with all of the right qualities on display.
Minus an Easter Monday blip away to Stevenage, the Seasiders have put together a good run of form in their battle to avoid League One relegation.
After looking short of ideas and any fight after a defeat against Doncaster Rovers last month, a point has certainly been proven.
In the run since, fight and determination has got them over the line in some games, while in others there has been both organisation at the back and a bit of brilliance in attack.
The Peterborough win brought all of that together, in what was the perfect time to deliver a performance of that magnitude.
Ian Evatt stated that displays earlier in the season still ranked higher, but my memory must be short, as I’m ranking the Posh victory right at the top.
That’s not to take away from the impressive nature of the other results.
The 3-1 win over Cardiff City demonstrated where Evatt wanted to take the Seasiders under his management, while the victories over Rotherham United in December were both up there as well.
Nonetheless, the overall context of Peterborough performance is what makes it number one.
Blackpool pick right time to turn up
Some of the other recent results have simply been about getting the job done, but the Posh win was secured with a clear identity and a swagger in some ways.
It would’ve been easy for the Seasiders to come out with a different mentality. In the past, the defeat to Stevenage less than a week before would’ve left them damaged.
Meanwhile, there was also added pressure being applied by Exeter City below them, with the Grecians picking up a point in the Devon Derby against Plymouth Argyle, after claiming a big win away to Doncaster Rovers in their Easter Monday outing.
Instead of treating a must-win game with caution, the shackles came off for Blackpool, and should’ve scored a hell of a lot more.
Quality found from Blackpool attacking pair
An emphatic start to the game certainly helped to breed confidence, with Dale Taylor scoring after just two minutes.
Despite spending most of the season on the sidelines, the striker looked sharp, and was on hand with some clever movement to lose his man to finish off a clever corner from Jordan Brown.
It was a similar story for his second after the break, with the Northern Ireland international showing a snippet of what Blackpool have missed out on due to his lengthy injuries.
Taylor’s strike partner Tom Bloxham was also exceptional, and continuously stretched the Peterborough defence with some powerful runs forward, before getting his goal.
There were endless performances to praise, from Reuell Walters determination down the right to Karoy Anderson bossing the midfield.
Blackpool find a way to battle adversity on the field
Blackpool have struggled to deal with adversity this season, but the way they dealt with things going against them on Saturday is what made the performance so good.
While the display was pretty on the eye, the grit from the team is what made it so special.
Allowing Posh to equalise from an error after so much dominance could’ve knocked them, but it didn’t.
Going down to 10-men for the final half an hour could’ve been a turning point, but it wasn’t.
Yes, it did help that Peterborough looked like a team already on the beach, but the Seasiders simply didn’t allow them to make the most of any footholds.
Saturday put football in perspective
While it was another great result for Blackpool in their battle at the bottom, it was a day that also put football into perspective.
Play was halted in the second half due to a medical emergency, with the death of the fan later confirmed.
It’s a reminder that there are so much more important things than 11 men kicking a ball around.
It’s the people that make football what it is, and for someone not to return home after a match is heartbreaking.
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