Blackpool 1 – 3 Sheffield Utd

Simon Grayson changed to a 4-4-2 formation this afternoon with Steve Kabba starting upfront with Ben Burgess. Shaun Barker also came into the side at right back, the rest of the line up remained the same with Coid and Fox dropping to the bench for Barker and Kabba to start.

Grayson also decided to give the captains armband to Rob Edwards, it`s not sure if this is a permanent decision or Grayson is swapping the armband around in a Cappello style to decide upon a new captain.

The away side forced Paul Rachubka into an early save, Billy Sharp`s cross was met by Darius Henderson who headed at the far post only for Rachubka to push the ball round the post.

Kabba who was out to impress against his old side had the first shot on target for Pool. Flicking the ball past his marker Kabba found himself one on one with Paddy Kenny but Kenny was able to block Kabba`s effort.

Pool kept on probing towards the Untied goal but it was clear that a lack of killer edge was going to be the difference between the two sides.

The blades showed their killer edge to take the lead. Build up play from Henderson and Sharp found Stephen Quinn who slotted the ball in the far bottom corner.

Adam Hammill had two efforts on goal before the break, one from a wide angle and one from 25 yards, Kenny was equal to both.

No changes at the half time break but the turning point of the afternoon came ten minuets into the 2nd half.

Shaun Barker was penalised for a tug on Ugo Ehiogu as the ball came over from a corner. None of the fans, players appealed and after the whistle went it took a couple of seconds for all to understand what the decision was from Scott Mathieson. From my angle (behind Barker) it looks like both players were tugging each other. Veteran Gary Speed stepped up and no made mistake from the spot.

The lead was almost extended when Quinn`s shot-come-cross was tipped over the bar by Rachubka.

Grayson made the first change with David Vaughan replacing Jermaine Wright who had a quiet game in the middle. Vaughan played in the middle with Hammill remaining on the wing.

From there Pool started to press more and a goal came. Mo Camara crossed from wide and the ball landed to the feet of Kabba on the edge of the area, Kabba fired into the top corner giving Kenny no chance.

Pool then looked for a equaliser had had two great opportunities. Vaughan found himself in the box following a one-two but was unable to get a shot away despite being in a promising position.

Then Burgess headed against the post from a corner which travelled across the box.

Sheffield then killed the game off, Greg Halford fired in-off the underside of the bar from an acute angle. He was unmarked at the far post as the ball was crossed in from a corner.

Pool looked for second, sub David Fox`s shot was deflected wide and Edwards headed just wide from the resulting corner. Rachubka palmed a shot from Matthew Spring wide to keep the score to three.



Another defeat at home and it`s the same problem, a lack of finishing. At times Pool players were queueing up on the edge of the box but there isn`t an individual to put the ball in the back of the net, the return of McPhee or Nardiello to fitness can’t come any sooner.