Blackpool in the Premier League 10 years on: Spilling blood in a losing cause against Sunderland

A decade ago, Ian Holloway’s side hosted Sunderland at Bloomfield Road but went down 2-1 as STEVE CANAVAN reported at the time...

As odd as it sounds, Kate Adie is a massive Sunderland fan after being adopted by a North East couple as a baby.

Adie, you’ll recall, is famous for her career as a BBC news correspondent, specialising in reporting from the most dangerous and war-torn areas of the world.

Often she would talk into the camera with the sound of gunshots ringing in the background and wouldn’t even flinch.

That’s a proper North East lass for you.

Mind you it’s probably why she was shot three times, one bullet nicking her collar bone and missing a vital artery by inches.

Which, given the amount of blood flowing during this game, seems apt: Neal Eardley lost approximately four pints from his nose after being walloped, Gary Taylor-Fletcher had to be patched up after the back of his head was cut and a groggy Richard Kingson was helped down the tunnel when a chunk of his forehead was sliced off.

Stephen Crainey joined the casualty list when he suffered what looked like a nasty ankle injury, landing awkwardly after jumping for a challenge.

An unwell DJ Campbell didn’t even start.

It is little wonder, then, that with all these setbacks the Seasiders slipped to a defeat – though fair play to Sunderland, they were the better side and deserved the points ... even if they did have keeper Craig Gordon to thank for some terrific saves.

Interestingly, on the eve of the contest, Blackpool had a visit from a UEFA official to talk about what upgrades would be required at Bloomfield Road should the club qualify for Europe.

It was things like the number of showers in the dressing rooms and how many toilets are in the concourses for fans.

That sort of stuff needs to be done, of course, but Holloway would have scoffed at the mere mention of Europe – and games like this explain why.

Pool have much to learn about the Premier League and the bottom line is any position outside the bottom three this season would represent a massive achievement.

Holloway has always said that supporters shouldn’t be fooled by the stunning start his side made.

Asked in a press conference recently about the chances of the club finishing in the top eight, he told the reporter concerned to go and get his head checked.

The Premier League has some very fine, accomplished teams, and even when you play pretty well, it isn’t enough to guarantee a result.

That said, I didn’t think the Seasiders ever truly hit top gear against Steve Bruce’s canny side.

They had one great spell midway through the first half – Gordon twice saved from Charlie Adam and kept out Luke Varney when the striker seemed certain to score – but it was the visitors who generally bossed and controlled proceedings.

Sunderland look destined for a healthy season, even without Darren Bent.

There’s not really much to say about this game, other than it ended with the mild sense of disappointment football fans experience when their team loses a match.

What can’t have helped is all the fuss about Adam. The skipper didn’t let it affect him.

He had a good game, involved in every notable attack, and was unlucky not to score his first goal all season from open play.

Whether Adam goes or not – and I sincerely hope, and believe, he won’t – the sooner January is out of the way, the better.

Staying in the Premier League is tough enough without any unnecessary outside distractions.

Then again, I guess that’s what happens when you become a successful club with good players. Other people want them.

Against Sunderland, the day got off to a bad start when Campbell turned up with sickness and diarrhoea and was immediately sent home.

In DJ’s absence, Gary Taylor-Fletcher played down the middle and did well but Pool missed Campbell’s ability to hold the ball and to get into the six-yard box and sniff out chances.

That said, it meant Marlon Harewood was promoted to the bench a little sooner than anticipated.

Harewood came on as a second-half substitute and played excellently, twice coming close to a goal. So at least the manager knows he is fit now and it gives him a much-needed extra option.

There was a huge element of Sod’s Law about Sunderland’s 16th-minute opener.

Kieran Richardson kicked Eardley in the nose and Eardley staggered to the touchline for treatment.

Blackpool took the free-kick, the visitors immediately cleared the ball back into the area vacated by Eardley and Richardson scored.

Harsh on the Seasiders, but credit to Richardson for making a great run and to Asomoah Gyan for picking him out with a peach of a pass.

Pool then had a great spell, Gordon twice leaping to his left to spectacularly push away a long-range Adam shot, and then a free-kick from the skipper that had a touch of the Wembley about it.

Adam then sent Varney clear on goal, but the striker’s finish wasn’t totally convincing and Gordon made another good stop, and the misses proved costly as Richardson struck again on 36 minutes.

Again it started from a Blackpool free-kick. Sunderland headed clear, Adam was beaten to the ball by Steed Malbranque, and he raced into the box and slid a pass into Richardson, whose trusty left foot did the damage.

Crainey and Kingson succumbed to injury at the start of the second half – with Brett Ormerod and Paul Rachubka coming on – then Harewood became the third and final sub on the hour, replacing Elliot Grandin.

Holloway was trying all he could to get back in the game, but Pool were finding it difficult to carve out any real chances.

Harewood’s turn and shot went just wide but Rachubka was busier than Gordon, saving from Gyan and nearly beaten by a clever chip from Jordan Henderson.

Still, the Seasiders battled on and they got a lifeline five minutes from the end when David Vaughan exchanged passes with Taylor-Fletcher and fell after brushing against Nedum Onuhoha.

As I’m suggesting by use of the word ‘brushing’, it wasn’t a penalty.

Adam didn’t care, grabbing the ball and for once beating Gordon; his fifth penalty conversion of the season.

Pool huffed and puffed and Ian Evatt tested Gordon with a decent effort from distance, but Sunderland held out with few problems.

For the Seasiders, it’s a straightforward next assignment – Manchester United. Let’s hope for a bit less blood and a few more points.

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