The Opposite View

The Crewe gaffer was asked to give his thoughts on the defeat and he was rather downbeat following the display.

'I thought it was a disappointing performance, we were second best for most of the game. I thought we were chasing them but they weren't chasing us, we weren't able to cause any real problems. Having said that, it was a game we should have drawn 1-1.'

With all due respect to Mr. Gradi and Crewe, I think most 'Pool fans that read that statement would chuckle. The fact is that Blackpool made all the running in the game and the scoreline could - and should - have been greater in favour of 'Pool. For example Andy Morrell's mis-hit volley at the far post and Keith Southern rattling the base of the post with a volley towards the end.

The only notable chances Crewe had - other than the goal - were miss-hit shots and an offside goal that was rightly ruled out by the linesman.

With regards to Blackpool's 2nd goal - tucked away from a freekick from Robbie Williams with his 2nd goal in as many games - Gradi was critical of his defence.

'It was a stupid foul to give away, outside the box and we in the end payed for it, although he [Grayson] wouldn't have made all those substitutions if he didn't think the game was safe.'

The Crewe boss was then asked to comment on Shaun Miller's goal on his full debut for the club.

'I think he'll be happy with this game, you wouldn't have thought it was his debut, he was very lively, arguably our best forward.'

Crewe were under the cosh for the majority of the game but began to threaten towards the end of the first half.

'We didn't pass the ball at all first half, until well into it. We were lobbing the ball forward.'

'Their centre-forwards were collecting the ball and turning on our central defenders who had a torrid time I thought, without their forwards looking like they were going to score. They were full of life but not full of threat. In fact the side as a whole didn't look as dangerous as they should have done from the amount of possession they had, but we had neither. That bit of quality we needed wasn't there.'

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