Blackpool Vs Coventry City

by Paddy Feeney

Blackpool welcome Coventry City to Bloomfield Road on what is sure to be an interesting night both on and off the pitch.

With the transfer window closing just over an hour after the final whistle, Blackpool will be looking to end January in style as they take on the Championship's bottom side. It is an opportunity for them to keep up with the playoff chase, with home form likely to be crucial in the second half of the season.

Coventry City arrive at Bloomfield Road with a rested squad after having the weekend off and a feel good factor after dispatching Middlesbrough in their most recent endeavors. Despite the loss of Lukas Jutkiewicz to the Teesiders earlier on this month, the Sky Blues are looking to get points on the board to try and pull themselves away from the relegation trapdoor

Ian Evatt has called on Blackpool fans to generate a positive atmosphere at Bloomfield Road after a few weeks of high expectations among the Tangerine masses.

'It`s been strange this season with the supporters. I was in the crowd against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday and there was a funny atmosphere.

'In recent years, fans have been singing for 90 minutes, but they seem a bit down in the dumps and expect us to be winning 2 or 3-0. It`s not a bad thing that the fans want and expect us to do well, but it would be nice if we could have the old Blackpool fans coming to the party and spurring us on to three points.'

Coventry City defender Cyrus Christie is optimistic heading into the clash at Bloomfield Road, and hopes that the visitors can take their good recent home form on the road with them.

'We are definitely itching to play and can't wait to get out there considering how well we played last time out.

'It was a really good performance from the side and something we need to try and build on. We have won some home games on the trot now so we can use that to sort out our away form.'

After playing a much changed side in the FA Cup at the weekend, Blackpool are expected to recall a series of players to the starting eleven.

Alex Baptiste, Ian Evatt and Stephen Crainey are all likely to return to the back four, while Barry Ferguson should take the armband from Keith Southern, who is set to miss out with the gash on his ankle that forced him to be withdrawn after an hour against Sheffield Wednesday.

In the forward line, Tom Ince is set for a recall, while Gary Taylor-Fletcher will battle it out with Kevin Phillips for the central role, and Lomana LuaLua could make a return from his hamstring injury.

After being rested for the majority of the weekend's effort, Ince is likely to be fresh on Tuesday night. His pace, trickery and quality to cause havoc in the opposition penalty area will no doubt be a serious problem for the visiting defence.

Coventry have no new injury problems ahead of their visit to Bloomfield Road, which means Clive Platt and Manchester City loanee Alex Nimely are likely to continue in the front line after their impressive performance last time out.

The two powerful strikers are likely to keep Freddy Eastwood on the bench, who has recovered from a calf injury to return to the squad.

One man who may be missing is Sammy Clingan. The Sky Blues captain has been linked with a deadline day move away from the Ricoh Arena, and may be gone by the time his current team mates line up at Bloomfield Road.

After his impressive debut last weekend, the man on loan from Manchester City has shown that he could be the man to replace Lukas Jutkiewicz. Pace, power, and the ability to beat a defender, the youngster is one who Blackpool need to be wary of.

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Saturday, February 4th, 2012

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