Seven points from the last nine. Three clean sheets on the spin. Up to seventh and back in the playoff hunt. Everything appears to be rosy again in the Seasiders’ garden… what a difference a week can make!
Reading came into this game on the back of a great run, but were abject against a Blackpool side who didn’t need to get out of second gear all afternoon.
With Rob Edwards suspended, Andy Butler stepped into the side in the only change from Tuesday’s win over Middlesbrough.
The game was rather a subdued one though, as both the players and the fans struggled to create an atmosphere.
That’s not to say that the Seasiders didn’t play well though – they did, it was just that it was a canter, the footballing equivalent to a stroll in the park on a Sunday.
Brett Ormerod fashioned the first chance of the afternoon with some great work on the right. Unfortunately his low cross was cleared from danger by one of the Reading players with a long name (poor Tony Parr had a difficult afternoon!).
Reading keeper Adam Federici then tipped a David Vaughan effort wide as the Seasiders grafted and tried to break down the Reading defence.
With twenty minutes gone Gary Taylor-Fletcher was forced off through injury and replaced by Hameur Bouazza who impressed again – how we have missed his pace.
With it looking like the game was going to peter out in terms of the first half, Charlie Adam produced a bit of magic to open the scoring.
His cracking through ball found DJ Campbell who lifted the ball smartly over the advancing Federici. What a difference having an out and out striker leading the line makes!
The second half saw ‘Pool looking to extend their lead whilst Reading tried to punch their way out of a paper bag. With the exception of Jimmy Kebe they really were very poor and I was left wondering just how they’d been on such a good run.
The impressive Bouazza forced a good save from Federici was the Seasiders began to grab the game by the scruff of the neck.
Ben Burgess then replaced Brett Ormerod as manager Ian Holloway looked to keep all of his striking options fresh for next Saturday’s visit to Barnsley. Stephen Dobbie also came on shortly after for DJ Campbell.
Despite struggling with injury (let’s hope he’s fit for next Saturday!), it was Charlie Adam who sealed the three points with fifteen minutes remaining.
The Scot drove the ball home from twenty yards after more impressive work from Bouazza.
Minutes later Keith Southern rattled the post from the same distance as the Seasiders threatened to run wild.
Stephen Crainey then had a chance, but was unable to bundle the ball home after linking up with Burgess.
The four minutes of injury time passed without incident and the Seasiders had a comfortable win.
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