In addition, the Seasiders lead their group in the EFL Trophy and, after defeating Bromley 2-0 recently, have advanced to the FA Cup’s second round.
Neil Critchley’s team still has a lot to improve, and they’re hoping that their best play is yet to come. Due to several players’ outstanding performances thus far in the season, we have selected our best Blackpool starting XI:
Who makes Blackpool’s strongest XI?
We’ve picked our strongest team from the season so far.
GK: Dan Grimshaw
Dan Grimshaw has enjoyed a solid season on the whole so far. The former Manchester City academy product has been Neil Critchley’s number one in the league. So far this, he has kept six clean sheets.
CB: Matthew Pennington
The back three picks itself. After frustrating start to his time at Bloomfield Road due to injury, Matthew Pennington has enjoyed a solid run in the team in the last couple of months.
. CB: Olly Casey
Olly Casey has been impressive for the Seasiders for the majority of this season. His loan spell with Forest Green Rovers has clearly done him the world of good. He’s currently serving a three-match suspension- but on reflection the red card he received against Peterborough United was a harsh call.
CB: James Husband
There are endless positive words to describe the performances of James Husband so far this season. The defender has been a real leader at the back and is certainly a rock for the Seasiders.
. RWB: CJ Hamilton
CJ Hamilton can sometimes be frustrating to watch, with his final product not always accurate, but on the whole this season the good outweighs the bad. In some games he’s looked fantastic and the opposition have been unable to deal with him.
CM: Ollie Norburn
Ollie Norburn has been solid in the Blackpool midfield for the majority of this season. His influence on the team has been clear during his absence in the last few weeks. With the 31-year-old on the pitch in the last fortnight, the Seasiders’ might’ve picked up a few points
CM: Kenny Dougall
Kenny Dougall has been superb in the last few weeks. The midfielder has impacted proceedings in both defence and attack.
LWB: Owen Dale
Owen Dale enjoyed a really impressive run in the team during October. He is probably the Seasiders best option down the left side
embele
Karamoko Dembele has really impressed in recent weeks, and has provided support by playing just behind the front two. He’s starting to show his individual brilliance on a more consistent basis and would certainly make Blackpool’s best starting 11 at the moment.
ST: Jordan Rhodes
Jordan Rhodes has been crucial since joining the Seasiders on loan from Huddersfield Town. The striker has bagged nine goals so far this season, and is always a threat in the box.
. ST: Shayne Lavery
Shayne Lavery has looked sharp in the last few weeks. When he’s confident and in a strong run of form, the striker can be a real threat up front.
. Honourable mention: Dominic Thompson
Dominic Thompson has received more game time in recent weeks, and has looked solid on the whole when he’s featured.
Honourable mention: Matty Virtue
Matty Virtue was starting to string together a number of strong performances before suffering an injury in training. He deserves a shout out for his form before his current spell on the sidelines.
Honourable mention: Kylian Kouassi
This was probably the tightest call of them all. Kylian Kouassi has been superb since breaking into the Seasiders starting 11. He certainly knows where the back of the net is, and can also hold the ball up well. Lavery just edged him on this occasion.
