Seasiders Make It Three Draws In A Row

Forty six draws said Ian Holloway the other week, would result in relegation. Well, there's only another forty three to go after Blackpool tonight drew 0-0 with Derby!

Just like against Cardiff on Saturday though, it was a case of two points dropped as the 'Pool had their visitors on the back foot for an hour but failed to find the back of the net.

Neal Eardley made his Blackpool debut at right back, Alex Baptiste shifting to left back due to Stephen Crainey suffering a groin strain (presumably Joe Martin was injured too). Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was on the bench, as was ex Watford midfielder Al Bangura, signed on a non-contract basis. The 'Pool bench had just six players on rather than the maximum of seven: an indication of how small our squad is, especially with players out injured. Shaun Barker had to make do with a place on the Derby bench for his return to Bloomfield Road.

Derby started the game brighter as Blackpool struggled to get their passing game going, but even so, the visitors never looked like scoring.

At the other end though, 'Pool came close to breaking the deadlock twice before the break. Jason Euell (seemingly now club captain) came with inches of sliding home a great cross across goal from Brett Ormerod, whilst Alex Baptiste fired over after great work from Gary Taylor-Fletcher.

Derby were on the back foot for the entire second half, but occaisionally threatened from set pieces.

On 57 minutes, David Vaughan (impressive yet again) was replaced by Emmanuel-Thomas, who nearly sent Alex Baptiste through on goal within a minute of coming on.

Baptiste then forced Stephen Bywater into a great reflex save as he followed up Charlie Adam's blocked freekick with a great shot from 25 yards out.

Bywater should have been sent off minutes later for handballing the ball outside his area after being closed down by Brett Ormerod. Jason Euell's shot whilst Bywater was scampering back was weak however, and was cleared.

Ishmel and Billy Clarke came on in the last 10 minutes for Adam and Taylor-Fletcher, but 'Pool were left to settle for their third draw on the spin.

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