Blackpool’s chances of getting promoted should be enhanced by their upcoming favourable schedule.
Neil Critchley has outlined his goals for Blackpool as he attempts to build on his team’s 4-0 thumping of Portsmouth on Saturday.
In this season’s League One promotion race, the Seasiders manager thinks his team has a chance to truly show off their skills. And he doesn’t think his in-form side can start moving forward without the proper mindset and work ethic.
Blackpool’s second straight 4-0 victory at Fratton Park over the weekend saw them close the gap on the top six, with only goal difference separating seventh-place Tangerines from sixth-place Derby County.
Two fewer games have been played by five of the six teams in the league standings than the Seasiders under Critchley. But a quick look at the schedule reveals that Blackpool won’t play any of the current contenders for promotion until they visit Stevenage on February 3.
Thus, the opponents they will play in their next 11 league games will be no better than Lincoln, who is ranked ninth. And with Northampton, in 15th place, the team Blackpool will play next Tuesday night, Critchley thinks it’s time to start planning big.
Critchley said, “That’s our aim,” in response to a question about whether Blackpool can reach new heights this season given the Portsmouth result and the upcoming schedule.
“I told the players (in the Fratton Park dressing room) that we want to be in the league come the second half of the season. I want to be in the FA Cup third round in the coming weeks and advance through the EFL Trophy to the next round.”
“We have a chance to do that, but in this league, it can come back to bite you in the face if you look away for even a split second.” We shall therefore continue to be realistic, modest, and dedicated to our work.
The FA Cup third round matchup between Blackpool and League Two Forest Green, who are currently ranked 23rd in the bottom division, is scheduled to take place at Bloomfield Road on Saturday.
The next team to travel to the northwest is Barnsley, who will play the Seasiders on Tuesday, December 5 in an attempt to advance to the next round of the EFL Trophy.
Blackpool will play their next four matches at home in all competitions. Their next road trip is scheduled for Saturday, December 16, when they will visit Cambridge United, who are currently in 16th place.
