The Calm Following The Storm - Notes for Blackpool Friday, 14th Feb 2014 10:23 by HarryFromBath HarryfromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Saturday's game by delving into their forums. "It's amazing how one good game of football can lift everyone's spirits", "It has been another rollercoaster week, but it's interesting how the mood seems to have calmed. There was enough progress on the pitch to ease some concerns and the protests were more happy-clappy than threatening." "I find solace in the fact that we fought our corner, fought back and drew." The Tangerines drew 1-1 at home to Nottingham Forest last Saturday. Supporters were happy with the way they battled back after being behind at half-time, with the visitors left hanging on for an away point at the end. With only one win in their last 17 games, many feel a corner is being turned. "Hopefully a turning point has been reached and we can see out the rest of the season without too many alarms. The win will come and the confidence we'll get from it will hold us in good stead when it does." The mood was darker before Saturday, after they had lost 2-0 at Blackburn and 5-1 at Reading: "By God, we are toast. What a circus we have become, an absolute laughing stock. I wish I had taken the 14/1 (relegation odds) two weeks ago. It would have paid for a holiday to escape this nightmare." Barry Ferguson"Thank you Barry Ferguson. The performance today against a well-organised Forest team was encouraging. We played with discipline, finished the game on the front foot and looked physically stronger the longer the game went on." The former Birmingham midfielder was appointed interim player-manager following the sacking of Paul Ince on January 21st. "The general feeling is that Fergie is stabilising the team and turning it around", "They seem to want to play for him." "The team and tactics are very much work in progress, but I think we can all see we are starting to move in the right direction." Against Forest, Ferguson played 4-4-2 using a wide midfield diamond, and there was a much greater emphasis on attacking play. "The game was drifting away from us, and it shows that Ferguson might be okay at this management malarkey." He made three positive substitutions on the 66th minute last week, bringing on a fresh winger and striker and swapped an attacking midfielder for a holding player. "It was good to see Blackpool players steaming forward looking for the win. They played with true passion and heart. I'm proud of the team." Paul Ince"Paul Ince's system was based on the concept that if you keep 11 players in their own half, there is a good chance of a 0-0 draw. Get four penalties in a season and there's your 50 points, job done."
"The flaw in the plan of course was that to get a penalty you have to get into the other teams penalty area. That meant crossing the halfway line." "Ince will of course be proud of the best start to a season in Blackpool FC's history. It is an impressive statistic, except for those of us who had to watch." Defence"Another soft goal from a set-piece", "We need to work on these, especially with a trip to Ipswich next week and the Aaron Cresswell assist machine. The last thing we need is to be stood around gawping at corners and freekicks next week because they will punish us." "It was good to see the full-backs pushing on. That is something Ince knocked out of us", "I was impressed by our new right-back. He looked calm, assured and comfortable on the ball", "I had my reservations about McMahon after his first few games, but he well and truly proved me wrong." Former Blade Tony McMahon "made some occasional mistakes and some average crosses, but at least he's a recognised right-back", "He looked composed and overlapped well to give an attacking option", "He was exposed a bit too often", "He sticks to his task with stubborn determination."
Liverpool loan signing Jack Robinson "got forward and delivered a perfect cross for the Forest goal. Nobody else could have created that angle naturally from the left side". The 20-year-old left-back "was often caught out of position and took too many touches before crossing on occasion". "Robinson was flaky against Reading. He didn't get close to his man who had time to turn and run at him. He was slow getting into position when attacks broke down", "He did well against Forest considering he was exposed by our lack of a left-sided midfielder." "Gary McKenzie was awful against Blackburn and played a big part in both of their goals. His attempt to close down Dunn was woeful and his poor control conceded the corner for the second. He missed a headed chance from a corner and trudged back to the halfway line looking dejected." The 28-year-old former MK Dons centre-back "will always have his limitations and I suspect he'll be more exposed when we are less defensively minded as a team", "He had a much better game against Forest", "McKenzie was the most solid defender on the pitch." "Kirk Broadfoot gives 100% as always, nothing thrilling but he makes no mistakes." The 29-year-old former Rangers player "was a hero against Reading, blocking shots, putting his body on the line while trying to cover his partner." "He is solid against lively forwards." Northern Ireland international Craig Cathcart "always seems to visibly lose confidence during a game when he finds himself struggling. Pogrebnyak bullied him all night and he deteriorated as the game went on." The 25-year-old centre-back "was several paces off his man all game." Matt Gilks"We desperately need a new keeper. It pains me to say it as I love Matt, but he needs a new start too", "He has been a great player for us, but has shown signs of decline and lack of interest this season", "On form he's a good keeper, but he had not been on form for a while."
There is a wide consensus that the 31-year-old Scotland international is a liability at the moment: "He was rooted to his line for the Forest goal", "Against Blackburn he flapped at the ball, and his kicks and throws were atrocious", "His confidence is shot to pieces." "What annoys me is the way he just stands there like a statue and watches the ball fly past him, as if he is willing it to go wide", "How many times do you now see Gilks not even trying to go down for a save but simply watch?", "We only need to make one change in defence — the goalkeeper." Central Midfield"The main change Ferguson seems keen to make is in midfield", "The diamond system is streets more adventurous that the 9-0-1 system we have been fed for most of the season", "It's a new system with players that have had very little time together." "It looked a bit skew whiff with Haroun often wide on the right but nobody really on the left. If Mick McCarthy had anyone there watching, he might pick up on that next week", "It was very good to see so many attacking players, but we will get whipped playing like that away from home against good teams." "I hope I never see Isaiah Osbourne in our midfield again. He is neither one thing nor another. He can't sit in front of the back four and can't play as an attacking midfielder", "He stood gawping as Blackburn bombed past him. He just wasn't bothered."
The 26-year-old ex-Hibernian player "is useless, misplacing passes, standing off his man, and, worst of all, not tracking back. He exposes us so much on the break", "I just feel he isn't very good at anything", "I hate slating players, but he is a bad, bad player, and I mean really bad." Former Bolton midfielder Chris Basham "can't pass, always looks hurried and chips in with very few goals", "He is a solid tackler, and is better when infield and deeper." The 25-year-old "was asked to play wide right at Reading, but lacked the attacking instincts of a forward, running around." "I don't think Angel Martinez looked comfortable in the holding midfield role", "He is great on the ball but just seems a yard behind the pace", "He has no cutting edge going forward but brings balance to the midfield", "He's the best option if Ferguson doesn't play himself." The 28-year-old former Espanyol man "can pass and create space. He doesn't score, but gets around the park and is a decent tackler", "He looked calm and composed and kept us in possession on many occasions", "It's nice to have a midfielder who doesn't treat the ball as a hot potato." David Perkins"David Perkins played brilliantly and was a right little terrier all over the pitch today", "He has more quality and technical ability but is a bit of a headless chicken", "He's poorer when he has time on the ball, He is best when he doesn't have time to think, but great when the ball is being zipped about."
The 31-year-old former Barnsley midfielder "covers some miles on the pitch. He is fantastic at winning loose balls and is technically very decent", "He's truly a Duracell toy if ever you saw one." "He shows the ability to pick a pass, run with the ball and he can head the ball too", "He reminds me of Wes Hoolahan, but will never be as good", "He buzzes around a lot and is a nightmare to play against." Wide Midfield"Our crossing is awful. Time and again we over-hit it or hit the front man, undoing some decent approach play", "Opposition managers know we can be exposed down our left flank."  Faris Haroun The 28-year-old Belgian international joined from Middlesbrough on transfer deadline day. "He seemed to dally on the ball when in possession", "Has anyone any idea what position Haroun was meant to be playing? Who was to be on the left wing if he was supposed to be on the right?" "Neal Bishop marked Trippier out of the game against Burnley on the left of midfield, but we need him to attack as well." The 32-year-old former Notts County utility player "is like the lad at school who always turned up for training and put in 100%, but never had any ability." "With the players we have now signed, Bishop is a substitute at best", "If effort and commitment were all that mattered, the team would be full of Blackpool fans", "Don't write him off. He's a good player and a great asset to the squad. He can add fire and enthusiasm in a number of positions." Elliot Grandin"It's a delight to see Grandin back. He's a player with such intelligence. He makes the game look simple. I hope he shines in the next few months. Welcome back Elliot." The 26-year-old winger came on as a substitute on Saturday, having re-signed for the Tangerines after a spell at Crystal Palace.
"Grandin never looks hurried", "He's a class player, building up attacks with simple passes", "Simple short pass and move play is the way to get forward", "Grandin has to start against Ipswich. He's the one player who gives you confidence when on the ball." Strikers"Any sign of a goal or even hope?" "Ince made all the attacking players look useless except Fuller. It's just what he did", "This squad lacks a prolific striker", "Four goals in 13 league games gives cause for caution." A lack of goals has been the main reason for Blackpool's plummet down the league table. Former Liverpool striker Nathan Eccleston has been dismissed by many fans as "a useless lightweight", "Against Reading, he was given the left hand side of midfield, but he was too right footed and he couldn't cross the ball." The 23-year-old "is not good enough for this level". Blackburn January loan signing David Goodwillie played a "very impressive cameo" against Forest. "He looked busy and purposeful and has real promise", "He looked lively and ran around a lot, but is not match fit", "He linked up well with Keogh, and could play a lone striker role away from home."  Andy Keogh The 27-year-old joined on loan from Millwall on transfer deadline day and scored Saturday's equaliser with four minutes left. "Keogh linked up well but was asked to do too much. At times we didn't have a left winger on. He was led effective drifting out wide and chasing balls down the wing", "He disappeared at times due to a lack of support. Credit to him for his fantastic work rate, he looked lively and quick." "Steve Davies has been the shining light of the last few weeks", "He stood out like a beacon in the mayhem of the 5-1 Reading defeat, waging a one man war on their defence", "He's enjoying a new lease of life post-Ince, but he's playing for himself, shooting from everywhere." The former Bristol City striker "isn't the right man to play on his own up front, but we saw a much better performance from him with Keogh." The 26-year-old struggled against Forest. "Davies was out-muscled and manhandled by Forest", "He seemed to do more moaning than playing." Stephen Dobbie"Dobbie is a great centre forward, in the awkward hole where nobody picks him up. He'll get loads of chances and create plenty in that role", "He needs players like Grandin who have pace playing around him. This will leave gaps for him to exploit."
Many fans could see the 31-year-old Crystal Palace loan signing used as a playmaker behind a lone striker away from home. "He will get better as he bonds with the other players", "He's an absolute quality player. Ferguson will build his team around him", "We are a better side with him." "I'm still not convinced he is anything like the player he was four years ago", "He looks unfit, lacking movement and quite ineffective. Some of his dribbles and passes were good, but he needed to get into better positions to get a decent shot off", "He's a great player, and I'm delighted he's back." Ricardo FullerWith Tom Ince now departed to Crystal Palace, former Charlton striker and one-time Town loanee Ricardo Fuller is the Seasiders' top scorer with four goals this season. He missed the Forest game with a hamstring injury and most fans would love to see him play in the newly moulded side.
"The missing link from this team is Fuller. I can't wait to see him back with more support and a creative midfield behind him", "We have missed him", "Hopefully he won't be used as a battering ram to try and win free kicks. He's capable of more than that and so are we." Michael Chopra"I was surprised to see Chopra on the bench against Forest because I thought he was a gonna", "He should have gone months ago. He has taken us for a ride, a so-called professional footballer who is very good at making money and can't get himself fit after six months."
Seasiders are damning in their assessment of the 30-year-old former Ipswich and Cardiff striker. "To say he is a waste of time is an understatement. The club needs to get rid of him as soon as possible. What use is it to anyone him being actually here?" "Eighteen games, no goals — impressive!" "Unload the waste of space that is Chopra", "Let's play players who want to play and who aren't two stone overweight", "He's had his time as a striker", "He's not even capable of getting himself fit, for God's sake", "Bye, bye Chopra, no thanks for the memory." Tangerines' Thoughts on ITFC and the Game"Now it's back to everyone thinking we're world beaters, until we come crashing down with a defeat at Ipswich", "We have an extremely tough game against Ipswich next weekend, and I feel that it will be one step forward and two steps back again. I'll take a draw from there any day." "Ipswich are strong at home and will attack. We need to choose a suitable formation to counteract this without doing an Ince and playing one attacking footballer." "Ipswich have improved. After a couple of years of mediocrity, they are in the thick of it this year, a place or two off the play-offs. Just think - we were fourth once. Once." Most Tangerines are expecting the worst on Saturday. "The dreaded Portman Road", "It would be nice to think we can take something away from Ipswich for the first time in a long time, although I won't hold my breath on that one", "The reason you can't think of the last time we won at Portman Road is because we never have." WebsitesThere are two good Blackpool forums, AVFTT is the busiest and most opinionated, whereas Back Henry Street is quieter and more considered.
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