'Tough time' for James Husband after second red card but Blackpool boss Neil Critchley says: I trust him

Neil Critchley admits Blackpool defender James Husband is going through a “tough time” – but insists the defender still has his trust and faith.
James Husband leaves the field after this month's first red card against Lincoln CityJames Husband leaves the field after this month's first red card against Lincoln City
James Husband leaves the field after this month's first red card against Lincoln City
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The 26-year-old received his second red card of the season on Tuesday in the 1-0 defeat to Charlton Athletic, having received his marching orders in the 3-2 loss against Lincoln City at the start of the month.

The left-back turned centre-back will now serve his second suspension of the season and will miss tomorrow’s home game against MK Dons and the trip to AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday night.

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“It’s a tough period for him,” Critchley admits. “Those isolated moments in two of the games have cost him badly. It was only a minute the other night.

“We had only just kicked off and it was a long ball down the pitch.

“A big clearance that could have gone anywhere has landed right behind your defence.

“I think Hubby was just recovering and the lad has stepped across him. It’s an accidental tangling of legs and he’s paid the price for it.

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“He’s feeling it, of course he is. He’s disappointed but I’ve got a lot of trust and faith in Hubby.He’s a good professional, an experienced player.

“He’s disappointed with the situation he’s in but he’ll come through it, I’ve no doubt about that.”

Husband is considered primarily a left-back but has been utilised in the centre of defence this season.

Asked if that change in position may have had an impact on the two incidents, Critchley replied: “No. The first one against Lincoln has nothing to do with positioning. It was just a mistake, a genuine mistake that can happen to anyone.

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“The other night that ball could land anywhere. It lands right behind Hubby but it could have landed right behind Marvin (Ekpiteta).

It could have landed behind Demetri Mitchell or behind anyone.

“He’s got the pace to recover. He was recovering but at the last second it’s an accidental tangling of legs.

“He’s proved he can play in that position. He’s proved it in the Lincoln game before the incident and last week against Crewe.

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“He played left of a back three for a lot of last season. He’s played left-sided centre-half before. It’s not new to him and he can definitely do that position.”

Tuesday’s dismissal was made worse because it left Pool to play the remaining 89 minutes with 10 men.

Critchley said: “With hindsight we’re obviously able to look back at it – would he have been better letting him go through on goal?

“Hindsight is a wonderful thing. He’s obviously desperate to get back, put him off and challenge but it’s just an unfortunate incident.

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“Maybe from the edge of the box the boy might have missed, but what happens if he allows him to shoot and he smashes one into the bottom corner?

“Then we’d be saying, ‘Why didn’t you try to tackle him or challenge him?’ It’s just one of those things.

“It completely changes the whole game. To play against a team of Charlton’s quality for any period of time with 10 men, let alone pretty much 90 minutes, is tough. It’s not ideal at all.”