Simon Grayson’s Blackpool side make the long trip down to the south west in search of a much needed victory as they play Plymouth tomorrow.
The Seasiders, who made three emergency loan signings ahead of the deadline yesterday afternoon, have lost five of the last six league games and sit in 18th place – a stark contrast to The Pilgrims.
Sturrock’s team, who – just like ‘Pool – were tipped for relegation at the start of the campaign are flying high in 7th spot after a run of just one defeat in their last six.
Rumblings of fall out at Bloomfield Road have surfaced this week, but Larry has been quick to get new blood in this week to stem the flow of defeats with the loan acquistions of Liam Dickinson, Kyel Reid and Graham Stack. Yet more loan players, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Steve Kabba sacrificed so that Dickinson can make at least the bench, because the FA rulings say you can have a maximum of five loan players in the matchday squad.
Last Time Out:
Plymouth drew 0-0 away at local rivals Southampton on Tuesday as Blackpool lost 2-0 at home to Sheffield Wednesday.
Plymouth Team News:
Emile Mpenza looks likely to start on the bench for the home side, whilst skipper Carl Duguid misses out with a calf problem.
Player to watch: Rory Fallon
The big striker for New Zealand is always a threat; Rob Edwards and Ian Evatt will have to be on their toes when marking the former Barnsley man.
Although he does score a fair amount of goals, Fallon’s main attribute to the team is bringing others into play, which could see Paul Gallacher for the left wing be a nuisance all afternoon.
Blackpool Team News:
Liam Dickinson and Kyel Reid are both in the squad for the game, but it is unlikely that both of them will start. I’d be tempted to say Reid may start on the left wing with Gary Taylor-Fletcher dropping to the bench and Adam Hammill moving across to the right. Other loanee Graham Stack is ineligble to play, and Coid, Crainey, McPhee and Jermaine Wright are all set to miss out.
David Vaughan is closing in on full fitness again, and Daniel Nardiello would earn a surprise call up to the bench.
Player to watch: Rob Edwards
It’s easy to say that one of the loanees would be the player to watch for, but Rob Edwards could be key if The Seasiders are to get anything from the game.
The Blackpool captain has struggled in recent weeks and faces a stiff challenge again tomorrow as it’s likely he’ll be marking Rory Fallon.
Match Facts & Stats
The last fixture between these two teams was at the back end of last season, as a deflated ‘Pool side were thrashed 3-0 by The Pilgrims.
Next Fixtures:
Blackpool v Charlton;
Bloomfield Road;
Saturday December 6th;
15:00.
