Honours Even…

It is interesting to note that in today’s match programme, official Football League stats revealed that the 4th and 5th best places to see goals in the league this season are The Withdean and Bloomfield Road, with 2.72 and 2.71 goals per match, respectively. How ironic then is it that neither side could register a goal in what was Blackpool’s first 0-0 draw, since September 23rd away at Doncaster.

In all honesty it was a poor encounter which meant a nil-nil stalemate was the only reasonable outcome.

Grayson elected to stick with the same line-up that beat Bournemouth on Tuesday night, with Michael Jackson still sidelined through illness and influential midfield anchor, Keith Southern still feeling the effects of the knock on his knee. Keigan Parker and Wes Hoolahan remained on the bench while Andy Morrell and Ben Burgess continued in attack.

The opening exchanges left nothing to be excited about. Adrian Forbes went close with an effort that hit the side-netting in front of the vacant South Stand – once again occupied by cars!

laus Jorgensen – ineffectual for the majority of his time at the club – was probably the player who was most likely to break the deadlock, a free header 6 yards out flashed agonisingly wide on the stroke of half time.

As has happened in the last few home games, ‘Pool came out of the gates strong in the second half and pressed from the whistle – with Larry tweaking things slightly, going 3-5-2 with Danny Coid slotting in at left wing, meaning Gillett moved slightly more central.

Jorgensen forced a fantastic save from Scott Flinders in the Brighton goal, whereas Paul Rachubka pulled off an even better save at the opposite end to deny Brighton taking the lead on a counter-attack from a Blackpool corner!

Wes Hoolahan, Keigan Parker and Scott Vernon were brought on late on in the second half for Adrian Forbes, Andy Morrell and Ben Burgess respectively, however only Wes Hoolahan really showed any signs of changing the game. Parker on a couple of occasions decided to go to ground when it would have been easier to cross the ball into the area.

With the point in the bag, and Tranmere losing to Swansea, Blackpool clamber back into the playoff places in 6th place, 3 points behind Oldham in 5th and level on points with Tranmere – who have played one more game than the Seasiders – who are themselves only 1 point ahead of Swansea City in 8th.

With only 4 points separating 6th and 10th, it could very well be the final game of the season against Swansea that decides Blackpool’s Playoff, and therefore League One, status.

Points mean Playoffs. I think that says it all, the next 10 games will make or break our season.