Plenty of positives despite another blank: Why Blackpool fans shouldn't feel too disheartened about opening day defeat to Plymouth

Welcome back football, oh how we’ve missed you.

Of course, the reality paints an entirely different picture. While fans are right to be concerned by Blackpool’s shyness in front of goal – it’s now three competitive games without a goal, after all – this shouldn’t take away from what was another hugely encouraging performance.

Of course, encouraging performances don’t pay the bills. Results do. And supporters love nothing more than an opening day victory to set up some solid foundations for the season ahead.

But, with Neil Critchley’s reign still in its infancy – this was only his fifth competitive outing, remember – we mustn’t forget this side and desired style of play is very much a work in progress.

There are things Blackpool need to work on, of course there are. It would be strange if they were the finished article considering we’re only 90 minutes into the new season.

But, in the unlikely event these improvements never transpire, this is still a hugely talented side packed full of potential. Results aside, it’s a team that has dominated against a strong Stoke City outfit and a solid Plymouth side that should be absolutely fine in the third tier this season.

Just look at the way Blackpool performed on Saturday. After a nightmare opening 10 minutes, which ultimately proved to be their undoing, they were virtually in command for the remainder of the game.

They produced 18 shots to Plymouth’s five and, on another day, would have rattled in two, three and, if they were in a clinical mood, perhaps even four goals.

Therein lies the main problem at the minute, scoring goals. For all the talk of Pool’s need to reinforce their backline, it is in the final third where they are currently struggling.

The Seasiders have scored just one goal in the five competitive games Critchley has taken charge of, that one solitary effort coming in the 2-1 defeat to Tranmere Rovers last season.

They’ve only conceded three times in those five games, which suggests Pool aren’t as bad at the back as some fans might think.

Nevertheless, I would go along with the accepted view that Blackpool are in need of a right back and a centre back before the window closes. But I’d argue they’re not as desperate as some are making out, not everything can be solved by making signings after all.

Anyway, back to this game. Blackpool ought to have won, as Plymouth boss Ryan Lowe admitted himself post-match.

“They will probably look and think they should have won, or at least got a point. I wouldn’t argue with that because of the way they played,” he said.

When the opposition manager is able to hold his hands up and admit they got slightly fortunate, you know things aren’t all that bad.

While an opening day defeat was not what Blackpool deserved – even a point would have felt like they were robbed – it’s hard not to begrudge Plymouth the three points on their return to League One.

Their attitude was spot on, they battled for everything, defended superbly and took their chance when it came.

Only three minutes were on the clock when said opportunity arose, Luke Jephcott heading home from six yards out after CJ Hamilton had gifted Will Aimson the ball on the right flank, allowing the former Seasider to pick out his Plymouth teammate with a smart cross.

A horror start to the game almost got worse when Marvin Ekpiteta misjudged a long ball, allowing Jephcott the chance to run through on goal. Thankfully Ekpiteta had the pace to recover and clear.

Conor Grant had the ball in the back of the net for the home side when he slotted home on the rebound after Chris Maxwell had saved Joe Edwards’ backpost header, just seconds after the Seasiders had been undone by a crossfield ball once again. This time Pool were thankful for the linesman’s raised flag.

This appeared to provide the wake-up call Blackpool badly needed, as from this moment onwards they were utterly dominant.

Plymouth were pinned in their own half for large periods of the game, playing like an away side that were desperately hanging onto their early lead.

CJ Hamilton powered an effort towards the near post which the impressive Michael Cooper turned behind for a corner. Jerry Yates glanced a header agonisingly wide of the far post before Hamilton was denied by Plymouth’s young keeper for a second time on the stroke of half time after being through sent one-on-one thanks to Keshi Anderson’s clever pass.

How Blackpool found themselves 1-0 down at the interval, I don’t know. Even if they were level, that wouldn’t have done their superiority justice.

While the second half was more of an even affair, with Plymouth enjoying a 10-minute period of pressure early on, the Seasiders still looked the more likely to score.

Anderson, Grant Ward and Sullay Kaikai all had chances to find the back of the net but, as the story of their season goes so far, those opportunities came and went within a blink of an eye.

Too often Blackpool’s decision-making in the final third let them down. Too often they chose the wrong option and too often their execution let them down. Opposition goalkeepers seem to be Man of the Match every time they come up against the Seasiders.

Critchley left it surprisingly late to make his changes, MJ Williams the first to arrive on 71 minutes. Perhaps if he acted sooner things could have turned out differently, but we’ll never know.

All in all, this was a hugely frustrating way for Blackpool to begin their season. But let’s remain patient, Rome wasn’t built in a day.

One down, 45 to go...