The Vital View

Run_Jim and SeasideEssexXile write their thoughts and feelings after Blackpools 1-1 draw with Swansea City. Two very differing views!

I am yet to be convinced by Simon Grayson. Okay, so maybe we play some decent football, although only in small quantities. Bring back the flowing football of McMahon I say. Although, we lack the creative instinct from that of Bullock, Wellens and co – through no fault of Grayson`s – I`m sure Macca could easily turn us back to out former glory. The team now, or the transition we`ve had to go through is definitely Hendry`s doing, and he single handily ruined our possibly great footballing side, that could have gained promotion if Karl Oyston hadn`t been so stingy.

On Saturday we outfought Swansea, but never out footballed them, as they looked a good outfit and if they really wanted the three points they would have the game wrapped up – with tangerine ribbons on top. However the lack of desire from City was disheartening for me.

We need several new faces in January if we are to progress. Evans nearly cost us a stupid goal from Trundles free kick, Dickinson is a headless chicken and Forbes just doesn`t have any quality and is a runner more than anything – much like Dickinson.

However, despite my reservations, we are a tidy outfit and will at least be safe in mid table. An experienced manager will do the trick, as that position is the most valuable to any team and would be the biggest signing of the lot in January?
Run_Jim


Saturday`s game was always going to be seen as a measure of how far we have come this season, and a pointer of how far we can go in the remaining games.
A lot of fans thought that this year would be a settling in period for the Belokon regime and that next year we would be in a better position to mount a serious challenge for promotion. After our disastrous start to the campaign concerns over relegation arose, but, yesterdays showing proved yet again that on current form we are right up there in the mix, and if we can replicate our progress then the playoffs are a distinct possibility.

Swansea are a side that will always be there or thereabouts. Yesterday Pool played them off the park, not always by playing the best football but by sheer will + a determination that has been lacking in recent years.

The stats don`t lie, and a total of 24 shots on / off target reflect just how one sided this game became.

Dickinson gave away an OG that left Evans with no chance but although he has had his critics Evans proved his value by denying Trundle on the only other 2 chances of note for the Swans.

Dickinson has proved himself to be a fans favourite and it was interesting to note how long he took to leave the pitch yesterday in what may have been his last ‘home` appearance.
Left back has been a problem area for us and in Dicko we have found a young lad still prone to the odd mistake and whose distribution is not the best but he makes up for it in aggression and a desire not to be on the losing side.
With Stow ke doing well I for one hope they lend him for the remainder of the season. For me our determination and desire will be tested to it`s full when Evatts loan runs out in a matter of weeks. He has been a rock at the back; I don`t care how much he is on, or how much he asks he needs to be signed at all costs. Swansea are a big, strong and physical side. Evatt`s presence gives some of that back for us.

I believed at one point that we could have played till next Friday and still that goal would not have come. Two offside decisions, the second more than the first robbed KP of an equalising goal, but again it can be seen as a measure of how far the manager has come this season that at 0-1 he took a defender off and brought a forward on. To our aid, our saviour came, and Scotty Vernon is his name. He`s not yellow but he`s our super sub. Leading striker and he can`t get a start in a game that said he`s our most natural of finishers and he`s another player we need to retain.

Happy with a point in the end, we`ll play a lot worse and win (last Tuesday proved that) the crowds behind the team, the teams playing well let`s hope we can keep this team together and maintain our push towards the playoffs, as I said earlier on yesterdays showing we should fear no-one in this division.

Onwards + Upwards
SeasideEssexXile