Plymouth boss Ryan Lowe on potential surprise tweaks, Blackpool's style and Neil Critchley ahead of tomorrow's encounter

Plymouth Argyle boss Ryan Lowe has hinted that the odd tweak here and there might cause a slight surprise for Blackpool this weekend.

The South Coast outfit make the long journey up to the Fylde Coast on Saturday to take on Neil Critchley’s men, who are unbeaten at home since October 20.

Lowe changed things up a little bit last weekend as Argyle put a stop to their five-game losing streak to beat Joey Barton’s Bristol Rovers 2-0.

As for Blackpool, they’ll be looking to build on Tuesday night’s 3-1 win against Peterborough United to cement their spot in the League One play-offs.

“Blackpool have played 4-4-2 plenty of times this season, but they can also play the 4-2-3-1 with the wingers coming inside,” Lowe said.

“But Critch will have the same ideas, he knows what we’re going to try and do and he knows the football is still the same.

“Whatever formation it is, whether it’s 3-5-2, a 4-4-2 or a 4-2-3-1, they’ll have their own opinions of how we play and what we’re going to try and do. It’s the same for us as well, because if you don’t you get caught out.

“I’m not saying we’re going to go to Blackpool and make big, expansive changes, the philosophy and the style stays the same way, but a tweak here and there could help you and that’s what I did against Bristol Rovers.”

Lowe paid a visit to Bloomfield Road in midweek to watch Blackpool’s game against Peterborough, where Critchley’s side came out on top to climb into the top six for the first time this season.

“They were solid and resolute,” Lowe said.

“Peterborough got it back to 1-1, but to be fair the game was decided on a penalty really. Blackpool go 2-1 ahead, Peterborough push on trying to get that goal back again, but Blackpool finally got that third one where they play the short corner and Peterborough didn’t send someone out, which cost them.

“We know what they’re about. They’re well-drilled, well-organised, they’re well-coached. We know it’s going to be a tough game going there, but it’s one we’re relishing.

“It will probably be a different game to the one where we faced them at our place on the opening day of the season because they’ve got some different personnel.

“They’ve got some different lads around the back and some loan players, but they played a lot more football earlier on in the season and they go from back to front a little bit quicker than what they did.

“That’s fine, that’s their way and how they do it. They look to get on top of you, win second balls and get in your face. But they also look to play when they can.

“Critch was new into the job and still getting to know his players, while we largely had the same group from the season before.

“We’re expecting a tough game either way. Whether it’s a footballing game, a ball from back to front game, we know we’re in for a bit of a battle and we’ve got to make sure we’re ready for it.”

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