Blackpool boss Neil Critchley calls for clarity over Covid call-offs

Three Pool games have been called off so far this season for coronavirus-related reasons, with last Saturday’s home game against Burton Albion the latest.

Fixtures against Sunderland and Rochdale were also postponed over the festive period, with all three games called off by the opposing team.

The Seasiders have recently played twice in four days, against Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup and Wigan Athletic in the League One, despite being without six players who had tested positive.

A further four were missing through injury, leaving Blackpool’s squad severely depleted. Nonetheless, Critchley says Blackpool will always look to play matches if they are able to.

Speaking ahead of last night’s home clash with Northampton Town, Pool’s head coach said: “I think we’ve proven in the last two games against Brighton and Wigan what our stance is in terms of players coming down with Covid.

“We’re trying our best to play the games and keep the season going because we think it’s the right thing to do.

“Other clubs have their own view and choose to do whatever they think is right but that’s their own decision. We’re not part of their decision-making process and we don’t know the circumstances. We can only make decisions on what we think is the right thing to do.”

There has been a lack of guidance from the EFL, who have opted to judge each game on a case-by-case basis.

Every postponement is investigated, but if guidelines are found to have been breached it is unlikely any punishment will be handed out for at least two or three months.

In the FA Cup, it is stated that ties should go ahead if clubs have at least 14 players available.

Critchley added: “I think it would have made it a lot easier if, at the beginning of the season, the EFL had come up with a similar rule to international call-ups.

“For example, if you have three or more players suffering with coronavirus, then maybe you can call the game off. If you have less, then you have to play on.

“I think there needs to be a number we can all work towards because there is a little bit of a grey area.

“And when you have that, you’re always open to different decisions and that creates a whole debate and opinions. People cast aspersions and that’s not what we want to be involved in.”

What is now clear is the squad Critchley has to work with for the rest of the season after a busy transfer deadline day.

It featured a late-night swoop for Sunderland’s attacking midfielder Elliot Embleton, who joins Blackpool on loan for the rest of the campaign.

The England youth international, 21, has played 12 times in League One for the Black Cats and twice in the Championship, spending the 2018/19 season on loan at League Two Grimsby Town.

Four Blackpool players moved out on deadline day to join League Two clubs.

MJ Williams has left Blackpool for Ian Evatt’s Bolton Wanderers and Calum Macdonald completed a permanent move to Tranmere Rovers, where he has spent all of this season on loan.

Defender Teddy Howe and forward Oliver Sarkic have been loaned to Scunthorpe United and Mansfield Town respectively for the rest of the season, both having found game-time hard to come by with the Seasiders.

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