As Bolton advanced to the top of League One, the Blackpool manager offered a frank evaluation of what transpired at Fratton Park against Pompey.
After Blackpool upset Pompey and took their League One apex, Blackpool manager Neil Critchley felt his team had the luck of the Irish.
However, the Tangerines manager praised the quality of the Blues and feels that his team deserved the good fortune that came their way in the 4-0 rout at Fratton Park.
Undoubtedly, Critchley’s team earned their victory and ended Pompey’s 27-game league winning streak, but they also benefited from crucial decisions that went their way.
After Kenny Dougall seemed to have caught Abu Kamara in the box, referee Ollie Yates waved off a strong penalty appeal, but Jake Beesley’s second goal was offside.
In an outstanding display, Critchley believes his team handled Pompey’s threat in the first half.
We got off to a good start, and I thought Portsmouth showed their quality in the first half, the player told the Blackpool Gazette. Their level of confidence when playing is evident.
We had some wonderful times and they caused us some problems, but they also caused us some problems. Obviously, the sending off helps, and we’ve scored a couple more goals since then.
You could argue that things have gone a little better for us, but I believe that’s what we deserved given our intentions and our courageous and bold play. I wouldn’t want to detract from the players or our performance because we were outstanding, but small goals and moments went our way and that was the difference.
After their victory, Critchley thinks his team can now build on its success this season.
“It’s a big result for us coming against a team that is undefeated and in form at home,” he continued. It doesn’t get any harder.
“We came here with the intention of winning the game and taking it to Portsmouth.” You may have noticed that in the team selection. I believe that ending that winning streak was the goal for every player facing Portsmouth. We argued, “Why not us? That unbeaten run will end at some point.”
We’ve competed against the top teams in this division away from home, and we did it once more. It should give the players faith, I hope. I believe that the group’s belief has been strengthening.
We’ve changed a lot since the summer; we’re a new group with a new style of playing. Things take time, and it’s crucial that we support one another both on and off the pitch. You can sense it on the practise pitch, and I really think that what you do there will translate to the pitch. Fortunately, this has worked out for us.
