The returning Elliot Grandin added shape to our side and we looked much more in control in midfield even with Liverpool matching up 5 players in midfield.

It certainly allowed Gary Taylor-Fletcher to be much more effective in his role and he took his goal brilliantly. It was also great to see Fletch celebrate by honoring Richard Butcher his ex-teammate who passed away recently.

It was a relief to see use getting back into the game with Fletcher’s goal after conceding early on. A few times this season out heads had dropped after conceding the first goal of the game. It was a great strike by Torres, but once again our shape on the left side wasn’t great with Crainey exposed and out of position.

Once the equaliser went it there was only going to be one team winning the match. DJ should have grabbed a goal in the first half but was in the right place in the second half to secure the winner. His 7th goal this season and his 5th in as many games, he’s on fire at the moment. Once again his goal was a strike in the box, no time to think, which seems to suite him rather than 1 on 1 situations.

As the dust slowly settles focus has to be on the next match following up this result with another win against one of the bottom teams. West Brom will be tough test, this time around we’re not going to be given a two man advantage, and the Albion are desperate for a win after 5 defeats on the bounce.

What ever happens this weekend, this will be a week to remember!

Blackpool FC Blog

Blackpool 2 – 1 Liverpool

The enforced change to bring on Matty Phillips ended up being a great move with him winning the corner and putting in the cross for the second. He also had an amazing run in the first half wich nearly resulted in a goal for DJ.

And how well did DJ play, grabbing two goals but also creating our two other efforts on goal. He’s really coming into form now with three goals in two games. I do love the bite the badge celebration, it’s the new way to kiss the badge!

As for a man of the match today there was too many to choose from, Kingston, Evatt, Cathcart, Crainey, Vaughan, Sylvestre and Campbell all having storming games.

We now have three full days till the City game, then too many games in too few days. Here’s looking forward to it!

Blackpool FC Blog

Sunderland 0 – 2 Blackpool

In the end as one City fan on the train home put it “Silva was the diference…”, which promoted the reply from myself, “yes and the other £300 million pounds worth of players”. That bit of class and ability to get efforts on target proved the difference.

The starting 11 was the same as the Liverpool match with Cathcart and Gilks recovering from knocks. We started really well in the first half but City had the real 1st chance when Gilks tipped a Johnson shot over the top. After that it was a case of us trying and then failing to hit the target with Varney, Adam and Campbell all having great chances test out Hart, who had a great reception on his return.

We carried on in the second period as we had started and could…should…maybe had a goal from Gary Taylor-Fletcher but for a flag happy lino. Watching a couple of times more, it looked like the lino was keeping his flag down until Grandin reached for the ball. That should have been irrelevant as DJ Campbell should had hit the back of the net 1 on 1 with Joe Hart.

Tevez who had been quiet all first half then popped up to flick the opening goal, I’m sure standing a yard off side helped him to get infront of Cathcart. Marlon grabbed the equaliser from a cracking ball in from Charlie Adam, a deserved goal.

Glad All Over had just finished and then Tevez grabbed his second, once again Ian Evatt being fouled / knocked off the ball to loose possession. Thats happened a few too many times now, Fulham’s first goal was the same when he was bundled over in the run up to the goal.

Silva grabbed a great third jinking past two of our defenders and slotted into the far corner giving Gilks no chance, no complaints. Our second made the score reflective of the performance and good to see another goal for Fletch, and assit for Varney.

The initial disappointment tonight should turn to pride over the coming days, we once again impressed and surly won over the neutrals watching on Sky. Hopefully we’ll get some more points on the board next week at Birmingham so we don’t have to look over our shoulders for another week!

Blackpool FC Blog

Pool 2 – 3 Manchester City

Back to a strong line up with Campbell, Varney and GTF upfront, we were set out from the start to attack. The first half we had loads of possession and deserved the two goal lead.

Once again Varney cutting in from the flank won the pen, similar to the Newcastle game, same outcome from the spot from Charlie.

The second was a great breakaway goal with Varney hitting the back of the net. Let’s hope we have a pre agreed fee for him!

Second half Liverpool were always going to come at us, it was a puzzling decision for the foul and disappointing we let them take the kick quickly from which the grabbed one back.

After that the home side huffed and puffed but didn’t really test Gilks too much, bar one effort in injury time. Cole and Ngog ahold have scored with efforts they both put wide.

We even nearly managed to grab a third on the break. Phillips did well at rightback, as did Keinen. However withs Baps injured and now injuries to Cathcart and Eardley it’s not looking good for our next match.

Once again Mike Jones was appalling as the man in Black. Gerrard, Meireles should have been booked with Kyrgiakos seeing red for a second booking.

Overall a really great day out, great performance and another big step towered survival.

edit : Seasiders podcast about the Liverpool game is live.

Blackpool FC Blog

Liverpool 1 – 2 Blackpool FT

We should have been 1 up earlier on when DJ missed a one-on-one, something that happend last year when we went to lose 4-1. The goal was deserved from a great move from the loanee Varney drawing the foul from Smith.

After 20 mins in the second half it was clear to see that with Newcastle coming forward we would have chances on the break. We took our time but DJ took his chance with a awesome finish!

It was great to see both goals celebrated with a reference to Gary Parkinson who’s currently in hospital after a stroke, hopefully this result will do something to aid is recovery!

So seven points in the bag, 4th in the league, and another huge step today to survival!

Blackpool FC Blog

Newcastle United 0 – 2 Blackpool

Looking over his stats from the two loan spells 20 goals in 38 games which pretty decent. All that remains is where to play him? we played with four attacking players last week, could we have five?

Blackpool FC Blog

DJ Campbell Blackpool number ….9….nope..19….nope…39

We always knew that Forest were going to come at us, but we always knew that we were going to score goals, it was matter of scoring as many or more than the home side. What really proved its worth tonight was a little bit of experience being able to soak pressure and more importantly take our chances.

After Earnshaw slotted in the opener I was surprised that the home side didn’t push on, it might have been a little bit of in inexperience from their part or our middle three starting to get a hold on the game. Forrest didn’t really come out in the second half, DJ took his goal really well, there was the agonising second waiting for the ball to hit the back of the net.

Straight after that Gilk’s pulled off a great double save, at that point you just knew it was going to be our night. Dobbie’s goal came from a great little serge forward from Crainey and a lucky deflection. If that didn’t knock the stuffing out of Forest then DJ’s second  (which was the goal of the night) did end the tie.

His third looked offside but who cares! We now have a great day to look forward to, most importantly we have Charlie Adam without the worry of a yellow card and Cardiff / Leicester should be scared of us.

FInal note and picture has to go to this man, what a job he has done! He’s bursting with pride for his players, we the fans are bursting with pride for him.

Blackpool FC Blog

Nottingham Forest 3 – 4 Blackpool (agg 4 – 6) Wembley here we come!

It’s been a strange couple of days after it was announced that DJ Campbell had been arrested about a stabbing, if anything it’s just typical he went onto score the winner today.

Role on next weekend which is going to be an epic journey, Friday and Saturday night are going to be spent in Cambridge which means a long drive on Sunday morning can’t wait! Let’s just hope we can match Swansea’s result against Donny! Can’t contemplate thinking about anything after that….

Blackpool FC Blog

Nearly There

After that it didn’t look like we were going to get a winner. After Fletcher missed a sitter I thought we would end up with a point but the subs made the difference.

David Vaughan played a blinder getting his foot of the ball getting it out wide to Bouazza who crossed for for the third.

Colemans goal was s great piece of individual skill. He dribbled past three from the touchline then lifted the ball over the keeper into goal.

DJ took his goal well, both breakaway goals. Scunny second made the last 10 interesting.

Great away day, with a flare too! Let hope WBA can do the business now against Leciester.

Blackpool FC Blog

Scunny 2 – 4 Pool FT

It took 60 mintes until our first shot on target but even before that you knew that Barnsley would get on the score sheet after the way they started the second half. Mr Singh did his best to disrupt the play being conned time after time.

The only interesting points from the day was that some Pool fan had one planted on him from another Pool fan and an crazy old man tried to run people over at the railway crossing after the game. You know when those are the highlights it’s not been the greatest game of football.

Photo’s from the match over on my Flickr account http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnpcampbell/sets/72157623524631122/

Blackpool FC Blog

Barnsley 1 – 0 Blackpool