Gaffer's Gabber

In what was a vital game in 'Pool's promotion push, I personally thought that Adrian Forbes had his best game in a Tangerine shirt against Bournemouth - finally getting onto the score sheet in the league.

"We knew we needed to start at a high tempo and Adrian Forbes set things off by hitting the post after 30 seconds. That set the tone and we created plenty of chances. Adrian's goal was no more than we deserved."

With the score at 1-0 at half time, it was clear that another was required to ensure safety from a possible late equaliser which could have ruined the team's hopes of promotion for another year.

"We knew we needed the second goal and came out all guns blazing after half time. After Ben Burgess scored the victory was sealed and it has given us a real lift."

Burgess of course was on the score sheet with - it has to be said - a rather lucky goal after a lot of harrying of Brent Sancho, versus Gillingham last Saturday. He scored a much more spectacular goal against Bournemouth which required a lot of anticipation, composure and of course confidence - which he seems to have been lacking recently - to smash the volley home first time.

Kaspars Gorkss lined up alongside Ian Evatt in central defence, with Shaun Barker taking the captain's armband and Marc Joseph lining up on the bench. However this wasn't the original plan.

"Michael Jackson was unwell over the weekend and has been under the weather this week. He was sick three or four times in the dressing room after the warm-up and clearly couldn't play."

With only five home games remaining for the Seasiders, points are more important than ever for the playoff push, with only one game in hand now on Tranmere in 6th place - 1 point ahead of the Seasiders.

"I'd always have taken seven points out of nine from the last three games, especially after the run we'd had. We've put ourselves right back in the mix for the play-offs and now we have to keep ourselves in it. Things hadn't been going our way but we managed to stay in there."

The unpredictable nature of League One this season has meant that top teams have lost to the bottom clubs and it is near impossible to predict any result in the division as we enter the final month or so.

"The teams above us are having to look over their shoulders again but we have to keep it going on a regular basis in the final 11 games. I think the pitch held up well. Thankfully we seem to be getting some growing weather ready for Brighton at the weekend."

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