'The tactical switch proved to be a masterstroke': Matt Scrafton's verdict on Blackpool's commanding victory against Portsmouth

If last month’s victory against table-topping Peterborough United sent out a message to the rest of League One, last night’s win against fellow promotion contenders Portsmouth will have put the division on high alert.
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Neil Critchley explains tactical reason behind dropping in-form Gary Madine for ...

It wasn’t just the fact Blackpool were victorious against a side that were previously unbeaten on their travels, it was the manner in which Neil Critchley’s side accomplished it.

In taking their recent record to seven wins in eight games, the Seasiders produced their most complete performance of the season.

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On first reflection, outside observers might not think twice at a 1-0 scoreline. But Blackpool were in complete control from the first whistle to the last and gave a very good Portsmouth side, the league’s top scorers, no less, absolutely nothing all evening.

As 1-0 scorelines go, it was about as comprehensive as you can get.

The men in tangerine showed an impressive calmness, composure and patience in their play. Despite dominating for large periods, they never rushed their attacks even with the game remaining goalless until midway through the second period.

And when the goal came, boy, what a goal it was. Moving the ball from back to front in a matter of seconds with sharp, incisive passes, Keshi Anderson swept the decisive blow after some lovely build-up from his teammates.

Neil Critchley congratulates Ollie Turton at the full-time whistleNeil Critchley congratulates Ollie Turton at the full-time whistle
Neil Critchley congratulates Ollie Turton at the full-time whistle
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Blackpool won’t get carried away by this victory – or their winning run for that matter – and nor should they. Things can change quickly in this division.

But you can forgive Pool’s supporters for getting a little excited, with everything beginning to slot nicely into a place after a stuttering start to the campaign.

Blackpool really ought to boast an eight-game winning run at this moment in time given how unfortunate they were at Doncaster last week, but it’s no good constantly looking back with regret.

Critchley’s side responded well to that setback at the weekend, avoiding a potential banana skin by easing past League Two new boys Harrogate Town in the FA Cup with a 4-0 scoreline.

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They did so by making six changes, which gave Pool’s head coach something of a selection headache for this return to league action.

Critchley opted to go with the tried and tested route, bringing back Ollie Turton and James Husband into the full-back positions and Ethan Robson into midfield. Sullay Kaikai, given a much-needed rest at the weekend, was also drafted back in.

None of those changes were a particular surprise, but an eyebrow or two were certainly raised when supporters saw Gary Madine had been dropped to the bench, despite scoring three in his last four and proving instrumental in Blackpool’s recent revival.

The reason behind it? Critchley wanted to utilise Anderson in a more advanced number 10 role just behind his former Swindon Town teammate Jerry Yates to give Pool a numerical advantage in midfield.

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The tactical switch proved to be a masterstroke and Pompey boss Kenny Jackett simply had no answer to it.

The visitors were penned into their own half throughout and couldn’t make any headway into Blackpool territory at any point.

While the first-half wasn’t a particularly entertaining affair, Blackpool were in control of it and were playing some tidy, one-and-two touch football. It was a tactical battle and one the Seasiders were winning, despite the scoreline remaining goalless. If it was a boxing match, Pool would have been leading on the scorecards.

The hosts did have their chances in the opening 45 minutes. CJ Hamilton went close on a couple of occasions, one shot in particular almost creeping in at the near post. James Husband also headed weakly at keeper Craig MacGillivray and the Seasiders had one or two other bits and pieces.

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Portsmouth, on the other hand, offered very little. Jackett has always produced fairly unadventurous sides, but Blackpool simply didn’t allow them to make any progress given the speed in which they won the ball back.

Talismanic striker John Marquis, who has 11 goals to his name already this season, did drag a shot narrowly wide just before the break in their one and only opening of the half.

The second period continued very much in the same vein, with Blackpool dominating the ball and constantly probing for a way through.

This wasn’t possession for possession’s sake though, their play remained incisive throughout and you always got the feeling they were a pass or two away from breaking through.

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That moment eventually arrived on 64 minutes. Ethan Robson unleashed Hamilton down the right with a perfectly weighted pass. The winger cut the ball back into the danger area where Yates cleverly dummied the ball to allow Anderson, arriving late in the box and at some pace, to steer home past MacGillivray in empathic fashion.

It was a fitting way for Blackpool to win the game.

Rather than sit back and hold onto their one-goal lead, Blackpool continued to play in exactly the same fashion and hunted down a second.

The visitors remained pretty unconvincing and, for some odd reason, never truly threw caution to the wind and went all out for an equaliser. It was almost like they were resigned to defeat having been beaten, battered and pulled from one edge of the pitch to the other from the first whistle.

The winning margin probably ought to have been wider but there’s something strangely satisfying about sealing a 1-0 win on home turf for the third league game running.

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Things are clicking into gear at just the right time for Blackpool, who will be aiming to make it eight wins from nine when they make the short trip up the Fylde coast for the first of two games against Fleetwood Town in just four days on Saturday.

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