On Sky
Blackpool travel to Fulham in the lunchtime Sky game on Sunday afternoon desperately needing points to steer clear of relegation trouble.
The Seasiders lie in 15th, just one point ahead of the bottom three, with eight games left.
Mark Hughes’ Fulham side aren’t out of the mire yet as they’re only three points clear all the way up in 12th.
The game at Craven Cottage is the last away game in a month with four crucial homes game coming up against Arsenal, Stoke, Newcastle and Wigan.
Whilst points at Fulham aren’t imperative, they would set Ian Holloway up nicely going into the remaining home weekends in April.
Vital Quotes:
Craig Cathcart reckons that team morale could be key in keeping the Seasiders up: ‘There is a fantastic bond at the club.
‘I’d suggest we’re probably even tighter than our rivals because of what we’ve been through together.
‘The feeling of togetherness gets stronger when you’re running on the beach in the snow together.
‘We haven’t had any days at the casino or the pleasure beach for a while because of all the games. But it’s also because the manager could see we’d got that spirit he was trying to build.’
Mark Hughes praises Pool boss Ian Holloway: ‘I known Ian reasonably well. We have some mutual friends so after games I’d spend a little more time with him,’ he said.
‘I really enjoy his company, as you’d expect. He’s a great personality and a great guy to spend time with.
‘He’s not at all removed from his public persona in private, he’s exactly the same!
‘What people have to understand is that although they laugh at his comments – and I think bravado has much to do with his comments – he knows his stuff.
‘He’s a very knowledgeable football man and sometimes when the statements come out that make people chuckle, that can be lost.
Fulham Team News:
Aaron Hughes could be in line to play despite dislocating his shoulder for Northern Ireland.
The skipper is joined on the ‘maybe’ list by Steve Sidwell who has recovered from injury and looking to make his first Cottage start.
Bobby Zamora is thought to be not ready for games yet.
Player to watch: Clint Dempsey
The American international seemingly puts in sterling performances for Mark Hughes every week and his movement off the ball will be something David Vaughan and co will have to watch.
Blackpool Team News:
DJ Campbell is serving the last game of a three-match ban after his sending off at Wolves.
Paul Rachubka is expected to be on the bench with Matt Gilks struggling for form in his reserve comeback on Wednesday.
Player to watch: Luke Varney
Varney has been much-improved recently and just needs a goal to get him firing on all cylinders again.
The winger’s form had dipped since Christmas but after interviews with the press in the week, Reg looks set for the run in.
Match Facts & Stats
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Next Fixtures:
Sunday 10 April, 2011
Arsenal (H)
3:30
SKY
