The Suddick View

SuddickTheKing gives his take on Blackpool's 1-0 win away at Oldham.

A miserable Tuesday night at Boundary Park - where would you rather be?! There was a lot at stake in this match and both sides showed plenty of commitment and industry in a game where the three points were vital for both sides. After half an hour however, I feared the worst. Evatt hadn't won a header, Fox and Southern were defending the edge of our box and the back four were behind them; had it not been for some superb covering tackles by Barker and Jackson in particular, my half time coffee was not going to taste very good.
For Oldham, the almost slim Sean Gregan(!) bossed their back line and Richie Wellens, whatever you may think of him, sprayed some beautiful passes about the park, finding his man with deadly accuracy on many occasions. I still feel sad that we allowed such a talent to leave Bloomfield Road. Up front, Porter carried an aerial threat that was eventually dealt with by Evatt and the terrific Jackson, and Taylor was lively but largely ineffective due to another superb display by Barker. It was great credit to the visitors then that they gradually got to grips with the early onslaught and turned it round completely. From dominated to dominant, under the cosh to turning the screw, Blackpool set about Oldham, grabbing hold of midfield and creating several chances that were either spurned or unluckily hit the woodwork. Rachubka provided the sort of confidence defenders dream about with a thoroughly professional debut, generally dealing with everything in and around his area. I`ve mentioned three of the back four but what about Coidy? A great performance considering his lack of first team action. He only got 'done` once in 90 minutes and gave the back line a balanced feel. Evatt wasn`t being dragged across to cover which meant that Jacko wasn`t being exposed either. Danny will get better with every game - if he can stay free of injuries. Midfield is the area which causes me most concern yet ironically it is where we won the game. In the first half, Oldham dominated with Fox too deep, Southern giving the ball away and Wes very hit and miss - brilliant skills one minute, losing possession the next. Only the excellent Gillett (my M-o-M) shone. However, in the second half we pushed up, Southern did what he does best - grafts and makes tackles - and Fox started to 'knit one pearl one` in Oldham`s half and we got on top. Up front I feel for BBB. He didn`t have the best of games and is desperate for a goal. So when he prodded the ball past Pogliacomi goalwards it seemed as though his nightmare was over only to see Andy Morrell (fantastic again despite being ill) make sure from no more than a yard out!
We deserved the win in the end. Oldham, despite their poor recent results are a good side and a case could be made that they should have got something out of the game. However, after that first 30/40 minutes 'Pool were the side on top backed by a magnificent and very loud following. I`m sure that the players appreciate us and it was great to see Larry 'doing a Billy` at the end.
Final word is about Keigan. The lad has problems and it is affecting his game. Larry needs to not only be his manager but his mentor and take this troubled young man in hand.
Suddick

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