Could Charlie’s Suspension Be A Blessing?

Blackpool captain Charlie Adam will serve a one-match suspension this weekend against Tottenham Hotspur, but could it have come at the best possible time?

The 25-year-old picked up his fifth booking of the season in the 1-0 win at Stoke on Saturday.

The decision by referee Andy Taylor was dubious at the time, as Adam seemed to come out on top in a 50/50 aerial tussle for the ball.

Manager Ian Holloway wasn’t overly pleased with it, saying: ‘I thought Charlie’s booking was absolute nonsense.

‘He won a brilliant header. You’ve got to try to win headers in games like this and he went for it. Their fella was rolling about on the floor.

‘Charlie must have caught him but I don’t think he meant it.’

But as we look at the fixtures coming up for the Seasiders, the opinion that Sunday’s clash with Spurs is the best time for him to sit out could hold water.

With fitness always an issue, a break before crucial games against Sunderland and Birmingham City in particular could be key.

Pool also face Liverpool and Manchester City over the festive period.

Debate has grown on the forum about Adam’s booking and what it could mean.

It’s looking likely that Ludovic Sylvestre will make his first home start for Pool in place of Adam.

The cultured midfielder impressed in the 3-2 defeat at Aston Villa and was my man of the match with an intelligent display of ball retention and intercepting midfield work.

What could be the deciding factor on Sunday’s result is how well Ollie’s men keep the ball.

Playing Sylvestre alongside David Vaughan and Elliot Grandin could see the team enjoy large spells of possession. Adam, as we all know, is the heartbeat of the side, but Pool could be best served without killer final balls against a savvy Spurs eleven.

One final note (which will be covered extensively by John Kane later in the week) is that the Seasiders are yet to lose against a side playing 4-4-2, which Spurs have favoured so far this campaign.

A five-man Blackpool midfield keeping the ball for lengthy spells stand a far better chance of picking up a point. If the three central midfielders can get Luke Varney into the game, it could even be more…