HarryfromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Saturday’s game by delving into their forums.
"What has happened to Blackpool FC, our club, has been horrific. It has left me hating my own club”, "The majority of fans just want to go and watch their team every week. The dilemma now is how they do that but not support this vile family. While the Oyston family carry on, there is no answer.”
The Seasiders arrive at Portman Road unbeaten in three games having secured consecutive 1-1 draws at home to Leeds, at Bolton on Saturday and at home to Reading on Tuesday. Finding football discussion is not always easy, with most conversations dominated by this week’s relegation news.
"We are upset because we are relegated but what upsets us more is that it is all avoidable. We are upset because most of us see this as the downfall of Blackpool and we know it didn’t start on the pitch”, "No manager would have got us out of relegation.”
While much of the criticism of the club and the owners this week has been vitriolic, the Blackpool FC Supporters Trust issued a measured and dignified statement on the club’s relegation news. The statement was posted by the Trust on our sister site, AVFTT amongst others and is linked here.
Two of the concluding paragraphs summed up the sense of waste and futility felt by many:
"The terrible sense of loss that accompanies a relegation does not exist to some degree this season. This is not only because it has been a long slow death, but also because we have lost more than our divisional status. We have lost our connection to the football club, the thing that makes us fans.”
"The most damning indictment and the most lasting legacy of the Oyston regime may be the impact that their 'strategies' may have on alienating thousands of fans from the club, as well as losing the next generation of youngsters. This was an outcome that was certainly not inevitable.”
"The blame for this disastrous season starts and ends with one man”, "If any of the Oystons are reading this I hope you are proud of yourselves. We were proud, once. Not that you gave a toss - you just saw money. I despise you. I despise all you stand for.”
"As a Blackpool fan I am happy, almost ecstatic we have been relegated as this isn’t Blackpool FC. I see it as another blow to [chairman] Karl Oyston’s funds. I hope we go down again and then he will be forced to sell”, "Oyston will never admit his mistakes and will carry on regardless.”
"The Oystons have turned a placid fanbase into a hate mob. Thousands turn up each week to chant, scream and vent”, - Jack Gaughan, Daily Mail 8/4/2015.
While the Oystons have issued court proceedings against the Back Henry Street website and a number of posters for comments made online, they have not yet responded to some of the damning pieces which have appeared in the national press this week. Many supporters suspect that they won’t.
"I guess all Blackpool fans are thinking ‘what are the Oystons’ intentions?’. The way the club has been run, it is no wonder that fans are claiming that this is all deliberate. I don’t think there is a plan as it would involve some strategic planning but he’s not capable if the football is anything to go by.”
Supporters accuse the Oystons of investing the funds generated by their recent top flight sojourn into other business ventures and not into the club. Latvian businessman Valeri Belokon is widely credited with originally funding their rise both with player acquisitions and ground developments.
In a further twist, the Football Association are investigating abusive texts which Oyston sent to a fan last year for which he has "unreservedly apologise[d]”. Many Seasiders are simply baffled by their continued involvement in the club given the level of hatred which currently exists.
"My plea for them is to take stock and realise that they have passed the point of no return where relations with their customers have been damaged beyond repair. Put the club up for sale. They are not wanted at Bloomfield Road and neither they nor their family will be, after what they have done.”
"The tide of opinion is turning with Clark. He seems to be planning ahead of next season, making the most of the time we have between here and the seasons end to try and play better football with some of the players he hopes to keep”, "One positive is his willingness to play younger players.”
A recent poll asking if fans wanted Clark to stay for next season had 71% saying ‘No’. His supporters want him to be given a fair chance in a more stable situation, but his critics are unhappy with the quality of football, with some further seeing him as a ‘collaborator’ with the owners.
"Clark has an eye for a player but unfortunately he just seems a bit slack on what to do with them”, "He has demonstrated that he is tactically inept and completely incapable of inspiring his players to deliver”, "I feel sorry for him and wouldn’t want to be in his shoes.”
"I’m not sure many fans see him as an organiser or a motivator, or with any technical ability to speak of. Putting it bluntly he has been shocking and the thought of another season with him in charge is disturbing”, "An absolute buffoon of a manager and a thicker version of Dave Bassett.”
"Clark is the footballing equivalent of one of those cheap and nasty products you see in damaged boxes in Poundstretchers’ bargain bin”, "We appointed a manager without a home win in 28 games and with the motivational skills of a sloth”, "Get this idiot out of the club as soon as possible.”
"Clark will take consolation from the fact that we at least have started to look like a team, with a recognisable shape and no little threat. It’s far too late and simply highlights what a frustrating waste this season has been and all so avoidable.”
"Just looking at the side today, it does look better than we have had for much of the season.” The Tangerines have fielded a similar side (above) against Reading to that which they have sent out in the previous two games. Their midfield trio has given the team a greater balance and solidity.
Gary Madine up front has tried to play a linking role with breaking central and wide midfielders and this has given the Seasiders an attacking threat in recent games. "This is definitely our best team. If we kept this team next season we would do well in League One.”
"I think we have now found our strongest XI”, "We finally have players who can perform at this level in this side”, "It will be interesting to see if we can keep hold of some of the players who are making us look at bit better at the end of the season.”
"Clark’s famous half-time team talk has worked again, hasn’t it?” For the third game in a row, the Seasiders took a lead they were unable to hold onto when a Grant Hall own goal just after the break cancelled out Jamie O’Hara’s sixth minute spot-kick. "The second half was a training session.”
"We had the better of the draw especially in the first half. For long spells we were running the game in midfield with some neat play”, "We faded after the break and didn’t have the same dominance in midfield, although Reading didn’t threaten and looked a poor side.”
"A great atmosphere and performance for 94 minutes - I honestly thought it was our day and was heartbroken when Bolton equalised. It felt horrible”, "That equaliser was a knife to my heart but the lads did us proud”, "Blimey, I thought that was going to be the one. Oh well, who gives a damn?”
Fans were pleased with the performance even though Eidur Gudjohnsen’s stoppage time equaliser cancelled out Michael Jacobs’ ninth minute opener. "Are we seeing what might have been if our best midfield had been played all season?”, "Ten attempts on goal - is this really Blackpool FC?”
"It made a welcome change coming away from a game actually talking about it, and not in a depressed kind of way”, "I was gutted they equalised with the last kick but it was a decent game in which we played our full part. We created a number of decent chances and caused them problems.”
"We should have won the game and deserved to. There were lots of good individual performances out there today.” Gary Madine’s follow-up to Andrea Orlandi’s free kick just before the break was cancelled out by a scrambled Mirco Antenucci equaliser just after the hour mark.
"Somewhat relieved to see ‘Pool can still put in a performance. The question is can this level of be repeated in the next match and the match after”, "The end is almost nigh but we have at least seen some fight and a bit of skill this week. It was what we wanted and explained the ovation at the end.”
A number of supporters decided to give the game a miss, watching AFC Blackpool’s 2-1 home win over Bootle in the North West Counties Premier Division and swelling the Mechanics’ normal home attendance by a factor of 10 in the process. "It was not a bad standard of football.”
"I had a brilliant day down at AFC Blackpool. All of their staff were very friendly and welcoming and the 500 or so Seasiders were in fine voice. It was the first time in ages I have come out of a football match with everyone having a smile on their face. There was a brilliant atmosphere.”
"We have never got the defence right and are operating without a right-back”, "We need more versatile defenders and ones that are a lot quicker”, "The equaliser against Leeds was a shambolic goal to give away. God only knows what the centre-backs were doing.”
"Everyone is agreed that we concede far too many now”, "We had our usual five mad minutes against Bolton when the defensive shape disappeared.” Blackpool have conceded 80 goals this season but fans believe that finding the right balance in midfield lately has protected the back four.
"A collective cap needs to be doffed to Joe Lewis. What a trooper”, "If it wasn’t for him Brentford would have won 12-0.” The 27-year-old goalkeeper is on a season-long loan from Cardiff and "is a quality pro. To have the same attitude despite the situation he finds himself in is brilliant.”
Lewis was praised for his shot-stopping in the 4-0 defeat at Griffin Park, a game best remembered for the 42 shots the hosts managed. "He made great saves and clapped and laughed when fans chanted ‘He’s worth forty grand’”, "He has been one of the few players to give a damn.”
The ‘forty grand’ comments referred to press reports that the club tried to return the keeper to Cardiff in January to avoid triggering a £40,000 appearance-related purchase clause. Fans were left incredulous when he was replaced by Elliot Parish for the 7-2 drubbing at Vicarage Road.
"Let me get this straight. Whilst we had a bit of a chance of escaping relegation, Clark dropped Lewis for the worst keeper in the football league [Parish] who cost us quite a few points with his mistakes. Does Clark use a dartboard, a roulette wheel or a spirit guide?”
"Elliot Parish is absolute toilet.” The 24-year-old ex-Bristol City keeper replaced an injured Lewis during Tuesday’s draw with Reading. "If he’s going to be our number one next season, we’re toast”, "Bournemouth’s third was another Parish mistake. We see it every week but its schoolboy stuff.”
Parish is set to start against the Blues on Saturday with Lewis - who was born in Bury St Edmunds - having been ruled out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury, as has defender Grant Hall.
"Grant Hall was nervous early on against Bolton but made some vital clearances.” The 23-year-old Spurs loan signing is "normally a centre-back” but has operated at right-back for the Seasiders. "He is decent in the air, but really struggles when turned and is not ready for Championship level football.”
Little has been specifically said about centre-back pairing, ex-Terrier Peter Clarke and former Ipswich loan signing Darren O’Dea. Their lack of pace has been highlighted on a number of occasions although 28-year-old O’Dea has been praised for his tackling and his man-marking.
"Peter Clarke kept Adam Le Fondre in his pocket for most of the Bolton game.” The 33-year-old’s "leadership skills and commitment to the cause” have been noted, but the pairing have been guilty of regular defensive lapses in games. "What was Clarke doing for the Reading equaliser?”
Lee Clark has also played 20-year-old David Ferguson, 24-year-old ex-Accrington man Tom Aldred and 26-year-old Cherries’ loan signing Miles Addison in recent games. "Aldred was sent off for bringing down Forest’s Antonio. What a debut”, "This is the quality Clark is looking to bring in.”
"Clark thinks Miles Addison will be a key part of next season’s squad. We are heading straight for League Two as Addison is appalling”, "He looks a big unit and well up for it”, "Scunthorpe on loan in August was his last league match”, "That’s the man to save our season.”
"Charles Dunne is a good athlete and is very quick. The areas that need improving, decision making and positional play, can be sorted out by good coaching.” The 22-year-old former Wycombe left-back "has been dreadful all season but has performed well in the last two games.”
"Dunne’s defending is naïve and he has poor awareness of the player he is marking. Too often he is ball-watching and his man gets a free run in behind him. His forward play is better and he is strong with a little pace, but he needs to learn when he can go forward and not expose the defence.”
"David Perkins isn’t just a wasted body but is actually a liability any time we have possession. If football was like gridiron and had separate teams for offence and defence, there would be a place for him”, "He brings nothing to the team, no goals or assists. In fact he just gets in the way.”
Fans have been critical of the 32-year-old former Barnsley man, who is "very much a headless-chicken type of midfielder, albeit one with a great engine”, "Perkins is very good at disrupting opposition moves”, "He often gets caught in two minds and end up doing nothing.”
"Yay - the Cube is on!” "I really hope we can keep him next year. He’s a brilliant player”, "I cannot see him playing in League One. He’s better than that”, "He would have a field day in League One”, "He sits in front of the back four well, despite being repeatedly hacked down by Leeds players.”
The 28-year-old Costa Rica international has had an injury hit season, but has made a difference in recent games, especially against Leeds. "He proved we can play link-up football between midfield and the attackers”, "He showed the quality we missed all season. His influence was huge.”
"Jamie O’Hara is the only part of the club, with Joe Lewis, I feel a shred of pride for”, "We are short of talent in midfield bar O’Hara”, "He controls the tempo of the game”, "Our best remaining player and our best signing in ages”, "He took a cracking free kick to win the game against Brighton.”
"O’Hara deserves a medal for the way he took the Forest game by the scruff of the neck when their late fourth goal went in [Blackpool hit straight back and equalised in a 4-4 draw]. He went straight up the pitch forcing the others not to give up. I was proud of our players fighting spirit.”
The 28-year-old former Spurs and Wolves man is "our best outfield player by a mile”, "If he loses a stone he will be even better. He can pick out a pass and is strong on the ball”, "He’s the one man we need to build the team around for next year”, "I can’t see us keeping him”, "It won’t happen.”
"After playing in Blackpool, I promise I will never complain again.” This comment by 30-year-old former Brighton right-winger Andrea Orlandi brought a sympathetic response from fans. "I like Orlandi. He is honest and says how it is. You trust his views unlike the spin that others try to create.”
"I will say this slowly and loudly for you to understand. Orlandi will not stay with us in League One”, "He’s the sort of player Rotherham or Sheffield United will go for”, "He has the pace to catch people on the break”, "He is elegant and precise but not nearly as direct as Michael Jacobs.”
"It sounds like Jacobs is running the show for us and doing well so far [against Reading]”, "He is hampered by the inability of the ball to run on the atrocious Bloomfield Road surface”, "He is good at cutting inside and firing rasping shots or getting blocked off and winning freekicks.”
The 23-year-old Wolverhampton Wanderers loan signing "is a real handful. He uses his pace to get away from the opposition back line”, "He good be a good one if we are looking at players to build at team next season. He was very good at League One level but overlooked by Kenny Jackett this year.”
Earlier in the week, Jackett recalled the former Derby and Northampton winger to Molineux.
"Nathan Delfouneso is one of our better players because our squad is absolutely atrocious”, "No-one can get near him when he is running with the ball, but he lets himself down with his final ball”, "He rarely cuts inside and instead gets to the by-line and looks for the pass backwards.”
"One his day he can turn defences inside out.” The 24-year-old ex-Aston Villa man is joint-top scorer with three goals. "I have a lot of time for the Fonz. He has the skills and the penny could perhaps still drop for him in League One”, "In his head he is Lionel Messi. On the pitch he is Lionel Blair.”
Two youth products in the form of 21-year-old Tom Barkhuizen and 18-year-old Dom Telford have played recently. "Barkhuizen needs a proper weights programme between seasons”, "He has pace, determination and power on the wing. He’s being tried at right-back with an eye to the future.”
"This really is unfair on Telford. These are not the circumstances for him and this can’t be helping his development”, "I wish him well but he is too lightweight for this level”, "Telford isn’t strong enough to compete at this level. He would be in the youth set-up in any other club for a couple more years.”
The 24-year-old Sheffield Wednesday loan signing has been leading the line in recent games. "He’s very good at linking with attacking midfielders”, "He continues to show that he is a decent focal point, holding the ball up well and bringing his team-mates into play.”
"Madine bossed the Leeds centre-halves about”, "I met up with a load of Sheffield Wednesday fans before our game and they all said he would be ‘a good League One player’”, "He has a few mistakes in him but he would do well for us in League One”, "There are goals in this lad.”
"I imagine everyone going to Ipswich will have a top weekend because it won’t be football related. By that I mean everyone expects to lose so won’t be ‘down’ is we do get beat. Anything else is a bonus or irrelevant”, "The match is irrelevant, It’s a social weekend with a match attached.”
There are two busy Blackpool websites, Back Henry Street has a busy message-board, while AVFTT has a good forum and also has some very good blogs.