Fleetwood Town match verdict: Blackpool loss highlighted fans' absence

Clubs at all levels need their dedicated and fanatical supporters to survive, to breathe – and to help pay the bills of course.

Billy Joe Saunders had just beaten Martin Murray on points inside an empty Wembley Arena, after which he described his frustration in having triumphed at a ‘cemetery’.

That may have been a little harsh on the event stagers but it highlighted just how much clubs are missing their fans and vice versa.

The Cod Army have been sorely missed at Highbury this season, without doubt during Saturday’s first half.

After Friday’s wind and rain, it was an absolutely perfect day for football but it was only Blackpool who appeared lifted by the occasion.

They were the team who went in at the interval with a well-deserved lead thanks to Gary Madine’s early header.

In the end they held onto that lead, rather comfortably it has to be said, and so perhaps the Cod Army wouldn’t have enjoyed their day that much after all.

Town had made three changes for the match, bringing Wes Burns, Jordan Rossiter and Barrie McKay into the side for Glenn Whelan, Paul Coutts and Paddy Madden.

Charlie Mulgrew had a free-kick tipped away by Chris Maxwell and Ched Evans sent an effort off target.

An offside flag denied Burns before Joey Barton opted to freshen up his team with the introductions of Whelan and Madden.

Although Barton’s players applied pressure, they were unable to create any clear opportunities.

Despite applying pressure late on, their efforts came to nothing and saw Blackpool depart with the points ahead of Tuesday’s Papa John’s Trophy meeting.

It was clear that Town’s players are missing having their supporters at games, a view echoed by Saturday’s skipper post-match.

Callum Connolly spoke to the Gazette afterwards and tried his best to spell out just what it means.

“Of course we’re all missing the fans,” said a disappointed Connolly, who also admitted that he was the chief culprit in failing to pick up Madine for Blackpool’s winning goal.

“The players really do and we talk about it.

“Obviously this was a big derby match today and our supporters will have really missed being here, and we’ve missed them.

“It definitely doesn’t add to the pressure when the fans are here, we will always motivate ourselves ahead of a game like this, but it would have given us an extra buzz.”

Fleetwood Town: Leutwiler, Edwards, Connolly, Mulgrew, Andrew, McKay (Morris 73), Camps, Rossiter (Madden 62), Finley (Duffy 73), Burns (Whelan 46), Evans. Subs not used: Cairns, Coutts, Hill.

Blackpool: Maxwell, Turton, Ekpiteta, Gretarsson, Husband, Dougall, Ward, Hamilton, Kaikai (Garbutt 82), Yates (Anderson 73), Madine. Subs not used: Sims, Gabriel, Robson, Woodburn, Kemp.

Referee: John Busby.

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