Blackpool in the Premier League 10 years on: West Ham United stalemate was anything but a bore draw

It’s 10 years since Blackpool graced the top flight and we’re retelling the story week-by-week of that sensational season in the big time.
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On this weekend a decade ago, three days on from facing Aston Villa in midweek, Blackpool played out a highly entertaining goalless draw against West Ham United at Upton Park. Here’s how STEVE CANAVAN covered the game for The Gazette that day...

If only Audley Harrison boxed in the manner West Ham and Blackpool approach football.

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Both teams went for victory from the off, exchanging blows left, right and centre as they searched for the knockout punch. 0-0 was not a fair result. It should have been 10-all.

West Ham United and Blackpool failed to score but it wasn't for the want of tryingWest Ham United and Blackpool failed to score but it wasn't for the want of trying
West Ham United and Blackpool failed to score but it wasn't for the want of trying

Quite how it remained goalless was a mystery. Mark Lawrenson described it as the eighth wonder of the world.

There were an incredible 47 shots on goal, more than one every two minutes, and the most in a top flight fixture this season.

Hang on a second. This isn’t right. I’ve just noticed we’re talking about the football instead of team selection.

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After Ian Holloway’s 10 changes in midweek, the boss went one better here.

For only the second time in Premier League history, a manager changed all 11 players from one fixture to the next.

It was amusing to witness every journalist who broached the subject afterwards begin their question with the words: “now Ian, I hope you don’t mind me asking this, but…”

That tentative approach from the media was hardly surprising given Holloway’s furious reaction to the line of questioning that came his way following last week’s Aston Villa game, when the manager’s selection sparked a controversy he genuinely hadn’t been expecting.

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That, coupled with the agony and emotion of losing the game in the last minute, led to Holloway being in a horrid mood afterwards.

He probably regrets the way he spoke to some of the media but strip the anger away and it is hard to pick holes in his argument: the Premier League say clubs must have a 25-man squad, so surely a manager is free to choose whichever of those 25 he pleases

It was just a shame the 11 on duty on Saturday couldn’t quite, despite being fresh, manage to snaffle all three points. If they had it would have slightly brightened a truly dismal record at West Ham, a place Pool have visited 26 times during the course of their history and emerged from victorious only twice.

Their last win here was in 1934, so long ago Jimmy Hampson was still banging in the goals for Pool and a 17-year-old Stanley Matthews was making his England debut.

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Pool missed the chance to end their victory drought, but in fairness the contest could easily have gone the other way.

The final score was almost jaw-dropping, for a goalless draw seemed just about the unlikeliest outcome of them all, especially given that the entire contest was like the last 10 minutes of a normal game – completely stretched and end-to-end.

It says much for Holloway’s philosophy as a manager that it was the first 0-0 draw Blackpool have been involved in since a trip to Swansea more than 12 months ago.

Such is the gloriously, carefree manner in which the Seasiders play, it probably won’t happen again for a similar period.

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Holloway’s tactics and formation will almost always lead to goals both for and against. Some might label it naive.

Rubbish. Pool aren’t good enough to defend their way to survival. Attack is the way to go and, as spectators, we should be delighted with that.

The way the team plays is a real rarity in modern-day football. It is a throwback to days gone by and, mark my words, in years to come we’ll be boring our kids with misty-eyed tales about the wonder of Holloway’s swashbuckling reign.

More importantly, the manager’s gameplan is working. Of everything the top flight has thrown at them, only Arsenal and Chelsea have proved too good.

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Holloway’s men are doing mighty fine and this point ensuring the gap between them and the bottom club is not reduced will do nicely.

Considering the last meeting between the clubs was in 1971, this was the first visit to Upton Park for many Seasider fans.

Valery Belokon was part of an official delegation which took to the pitch before kick-off to support the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, then a minute’s silence for the fallen.

All 31,000 spectators conducted themselves superbly, but then again so they should; it would be tragic if we ever forgot the significance of November 11.

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As it turned out, it was just as well we had the minute’s silence because it was to be the only time we had to catch our breath all afternoon.

The teams went on the front foot from the start. West Ham were denied two penalties – Stephen Crainey wrapping his legs around Pablo Barrera and Craig Cathcart stopping Victor Obinna’s goalbound shot with his arm.

David Vaughan, Luke Varney and Elliot Grandin all had good opportunities for Pool.

Richard Kingson replaced Matt Gilks at the break and almost conceded within 180 seconds.

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Scott Parker split the Seasiders’ defence with a lovely pass but the wretched Luis Boa Morte shot wide with just Kingson to beat.

Charlie Adam almost scored from the halfway line and former Hammer Harewood, given a standing ovation by the home fans when he came on as a second-half sub, was denied a goal incorrectly ruled offside after he turned in Vaughan’s deflected shot.

Carlton Cole replaced Boa Morte and immediately hit the post. Then, at the other end, Gary Taylor-Fletcher blasted horribly over from six yards following good work from Harewood and Matty Phillips.

The latter replaced Grandin for the last half-hour and once again demonstrated his potential – it would be a major surprise if he didn’t start against Wolves next week.

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Kingson flung himself to his left to deny Mark Noble, Harewood failed to score from Crainey’s cross-cum-shot and Cathcart’s fierce volley at the end was headed for the top corner until it smacked into the unfortunately placed Taylor-Fletcher on the line.

And those were just a few of the chances. There were many more but both teams were guilty of being wasteful.

Time and again there were promising breaks, three-on-three situations, but both sides made the wrong choices and hit the wrong final ball.

But no matter. This is the Premier League and when Pool, who are still learning all the time, draw at West Ham, that’s a point gained, not two lost.

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All that remains is to wonder how many changes Holloway will make for the next match? Actually let’s not start all that again...

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