According to Neil Critchley, Blackpool’s FA Cup match against Forest Green Rovers was postponed, which meant that several players were deprived of crucial playing time.
The FA inquiry into the Gloucestershire club resulted in the last-minute cancellation of the second-round match.
This concerned their first-round matchup with Scarborough Athletic, where David Horseman’s team acknowledged using an ineligible player.
After the investigation, it was declared that Forest Green would play the non-league team again on December 12; the winner would then face the Seasiders on December 19 of the following week.
A summer recruit who was eager for their first start for the team was among the players, according to Critchley, who was affected by the postponement. He clarified, “We wanted to get players much-needed minutes on the pitch, so we’d planned the game accordingly. Training is a great way to get stronger, but it can never replace getting out there. Although it would have been a great chance to start some of the players who haven’t played much lately, I think our powerful team would have prevailed in the match.
That game, Kyle (Joseph) and one or two more players could have started. The absence of the fixture has repercussions.
Ollie Norburn, Blackpool’s captain, has missed most of the team’s games since the end of October. When the midfield player returned to action against Bolton Wanderers, he had been dealing with a neck issue. Critchley continued, “He’s improving constantly; it’s just pain management with Norbs.
“He continued to struggle last week. During the sessions, it was evident that he was not entirely content with physical contact and was making an effort to shield himself.
“He only needs to feel ready, but he is itching to play and participate again. He appears more at ease now, and if that choice had been made for this next weekend, I believe he would be prepared to play. He is aware that there will be competitors for his spot on the team, so he may have to wait. After Matty Virtue returned to action in the EFL Trophy encounter against Barnsley, Kylian Kouassi and Shayne Lavery are the only long-term Seasiders injuries going into this weekend’s matchup against Carlisle United.
