Blackpool boss sees reasons to be optimistic after pre-season victory

Goals from Grant Ward, Sullay Kaikai, Keshi Anderson and Jerry Yates handed the Seasiders a comfortable 4-0 win against National League North outfit Southport on Saturday.

The behind-closed-doors encounter was Blackpool’s first taste of action in almost five months following their enforced lay-off due to the coronavirus.

“You obviously can’t do everything in two weeks of training, it’s going to take time with some real effort and application on the training ground,” Critchley told The Gazette.

“I have to say the boys have been really receptive with the work we’ve done with them so far. There were some signs of that with the way we want to play.

“I think we could have done a lot better on the ball than we did at times but we haven’t really worked on our possession play and our build-up play. It’s been more around defensive organisation.

“To keep a clean sheet, and I think there were very few chances in the game for them, was really pleasing.”

The Seasiders were without a handful of first-teamers, with Chris Maxwell, Jack Sims and Oliver Sarkic all missing out with knocks.

Ethan Robson was also unavailable, Pool’s new signing unable to play before receiving the results from his Covid-19 test.

Critchley is hopeful all four will be involved in Blackpool’s next friendly, which is due to take place on Saturday with the opponent to be confirmed this week.

“Oli just felt his hamstring in the last couple of days,” he said.

“He’s still in good condition, but we didn’t feel it was the right thing to do to risk him.

“But he was on the pitch on Saturday morning and we’re expecting him to train with us next week. Hopefully we’ll see him back on the pitch next Saturday.

“It’s the same with Maxi. He was out on the pitch doing a bit of work with Steve Banks (goalkeeping coach) before the game.

“We’re expecting him to join back in with training next week as well.

“There’s nothing major. But having not played football for a long time, some of the boys have just got some aches and pains which is to be expected during pre-season, particularly with the way they’ve been working.

“We’ve got Jack Sims as well but unfortunately he’s just had a bit of a knock in the last few days as well.”

Two trialist goalkeepers played in either half for the Seasiders, a former Manchester United academy shot-stopper starting the game before an ex-Middlesbrough man took the gloves for the second half.

“The two boys have been with us this week training and it was an ideal opportunity to see them play 45 minutes each,” Critchley said.

“I was really impressed with both of them.”