Manager Neil McDonald has targeted a clean sheet in the coming games – starting with Coventry City.
With Blackpool’s best results this year coming on the back of clean sheets – rather obvious to say that really – our inability to keep one in recent games and the sloppy nature of goals being conceded have led the gaffer to making the rallying cry, but as ever, saying it is easy – seeing it out on the pitch is a whole different kettle of fish.
Speaking to the Official Site in his pre game press conference as we look to bounce back from Millwall against Coventry, the manager explained.
‘We’ve conceded far too many goals in recent weeks. We’ve been working extremely hard on the training field, as the boys have done all season, to try and put that right. If you look at our results when we’ve kept clean sheets, we’ve had a good return. We need to get back to that and we must put the ball in the back of the net, which has been a problem all season.’
He went on to say.
‘We did a review and a feedback session after the weekend and the players know the situation that we’re in at the moment. We’ve got 11 games to put that right. We have to be on top of our game now for the rest of the season, as we look to pick up as many points as we possibly can. Coventry are a good team, they’ve got some good players and we’ll have to deal with their danger men. If we can deal with their danger men, then we’ve got a good chance of taking some points.’
McDonald also confirmed that David Norris had returned to training this week and comes back into his thoughts for the game.
The midfielder had missed Millwall with illness, but it hasn’t taken long to clear up and others who also picked up a bug are improving themselves or are already back in the frame.
‘He had a little bit of a head cold, we’ve had a bit of a bug going round the club and a few players have been off ill and haven’t been training. We missed his experience against Millwall, he’s a driving force on the field as well as off the field and everyone looks up to him.’
The big boost for the gaffer was the 35 year old’s experience with his 400+ league games under his belt.
‘He knows what winning games and dealing with the pressure is all about when it comes to the end of the season, considering the position that we’re in. He’s been brilliant since he’s come into the club, he’s a fit lad and he knows his role and responsibility in the team. He’s slightly disappointed that he’s only scored one goal so far – he’s had a few chances and does get into the positions – so let’s hope he gets a couple of goals because that can make a difference. Hopefully he get backs to that level that drives the team on.’
