Southport v Blackpool: Live updates from the Seasiders' first friendly of the summer
and live on Freeview channel 276
Fifty-seven days on from the final day of last season, the Seasiders return to action – albeit with a new man in charge following Neil Critchley’s surprise departure and Michael Appleton’s return.
Follow our blog for build-up, team news, match updates and post-match reaction...
Southport v Blackpool - live updates
Key Events
- FT: Southport 0-2 Blackpool
- Seasiders travel to Haig Avenue for first pre-season friendly of the summer
- Michael Appleton’s takes charge of first game since returning to Bloomfield Road
Pool’s subs’ bench
Grimshaw, Tharme, Ekpiteta, Thorniley, Squires, James, Dougall, Virtue,Dale, Bowler, Holmes, Madine, Lavery
Michael Appleton’s pre-match comments
“I’m really looking forward to it,” he told Tangerine TV.
“I know the players are desperate to get back to the competitive stuff, but it’s always a little bit nerve-wracking as well because you always want to keep as many players fit in pre-season as possible.
“I want them to stay fit to make my job really difficult, because when players are injured sometimes your job becomes easy because you have to pick certain players in positions because they’re the only ones available.
“But I hope Saturday goes the way we want it to in terms of getting 45 minutes out of the majority of players and keep them all healthy.”
Read what Terry McPhillips has to say
There will be a familiar face in the opposition dugout today in the form of ex-Blackpool manager Terry McPhillips.
The 53-year-old, who left Bloomfield Road in 2019, works as assistant to Liam Watson, a role he’s held since October of last year.
The Sandgrounders were bottom of the league at the time of his arrival, but they didn’t stay there for long - finishing the season in 11th after a brief flirtation with the play-offs.
McPhillips still has fond memories of his time at Bloomfield Road, where he guided the club to a 10th-placed finish in League One during the 2018/19 season.
The Liverpudlian initially took the role on an interim basis following Gary Bowyer’s surprise resignation, but took the job full time after an impressive run of results.
McPhillips ended up stepping away himself at the end of the season, coinciding with the beginning of Simon Sadler’s new ownership.
The Gazette caught up with the former Pool boss ahead of today’s game - read what he had to say here.
James Husband will miss out through injury as he continues to recover from the setback he suffered during Blackpool’s final home game of the season.
The left-back injured his hamstring against Derby County and is thought to be facing a race against time to be fit for the season opener against Reading.
Elsewhere, it appears Jordan Gabriel is also being carefully treated after also missing the final games of the last campaign with a hamstring complaint.
Michael Appleton also mentioned “one or two” players picking up knocks during the first two weeks of training.
It’s expected that Blackpool will line up with two differing XI’s in either half this afternoon.
Doug Tharme, who joined the Seasiders from Southport, could be in line to make his debut. He made the move to Bloomfield Road during the January transfer window only to be loaned back for the rest of the season.
Familiar friendly foes
This will be the third summer running Pool face the Sangrounders as part of their summer preparations.
This time last year, Blackpool were 2-0 winners at Haig Avenue thanks to goals from debutant Shayne Lavery and Demetri Mitchell.
The previous summer, Grant Ward, Sullay Kaikai, Keshi Anderson and Jerry Yates got on the scoresheet during a 4-0 win.
Liam Watson’s side, who are assisted by former Pool boss Terry McPhillips, finished 11th in the National League North last season.
Appleton’s men will also take on Leeds United, Rangers, Salford City and Everton as part of their pre-season preparations.
So what’s changed?
Oh, not much.
Just the bombshell departure of Neil Critchley, the man who masterminded Blackpool’s return to the Championship before guiding them to a 16th-placed finish in their first season back.
And to become assistant at Aston Villa?! It’s fair to say none of us saw that coming.
Life goes on though. The King is dead, long live The King and all that. Michael Appleton is the new man (albeit his second spell) and there’s also a new backroom team in position.
Today’s game will be Appleton’s first game in charge of the Seasiders since a goalless draw against Hull City on New Year’s Day in 2013.
Away from the managerial changes, there’s been little to no upheaval in terms of the squad - with no new players arriving yet while Cameron Antwi, Ethan Robson and Grant Ward are the only players to have departed, having been released at the end of last season.