Here we go again. With the season set to start in just a few hours time when Pool travel to Colchester in their first game back in League One, the Tangerines and us fans will be hoping for a far better campaign this time around.
I for one will making the journey to Colchester and I am honestly not too sure what to expect. Recruitment has improved slightly this year and we do have a far more complete squad than we had this time last year, we’ve also had a decent pre-season which is bound to serve the side well, last year the lack of pre-season was a big reason behind those many, many awful performances, though not the entire reason.
However despite these improvements, there is still a real worry in my mind that we just won’t be able to turn it around. I may just be being pessimistic here, but after seeing the team lose on a consistent basis for such a long period of time, I worry whether things can really change.
McDonald should be credited for the way he’s gone about his business. He’s managed to do a complete overhaul of the squad and bring in fresh, new players. Obviously we can’t really judge him properly until the season gets underway, but he seems to have done some decent business. Though again, we can’t truly judge the new signings until they play a competitive fixture.
Things will be a lot clearer by 5pm, we’ll know far more about whether the Seasiders are really going to compete this year or whether we could be in for another long, tough season.
Off the field problems are almost a given at Blackpool, but if these could be kept to a minimum this season that would be great. This pre-season has already seen a pitch invasion, a relayed pitch and more court proceedings against fans. I know we aren’t happy with the way the club is being run and should do everything to get behind the supporters trust and their work, but we should also get behind the manager and the team.
If off the field problems can be kept to a minimum and McDonald can get the side playing some decent football with his new squad, then there’s no reason the side can’t kick on and have a succesful campaign. It’s easier said than done though. Problems at the club could well persist and its relationship with the fans could get even worse, if that’s possible, which will undoubtedly effect results on the pitch.
The squad still needs some strengthening but at a glance its looking decent, lets just hope this transpires into some impressive performances, starting a Colchester in a few hours.
UTMP!
