Blackpool defender justified manager's decision in Portsmouth victory

Husband, who has been in good form at left-back in recent weeks, was preferred to Jordan Thorniley in the centre of defence at Fratton Park on Saturday.

It comes after Marvin Ekpiteta dropped out of the side for the first time in League One this season, having suffered a hamstring injury in last week’s 1-0 win against Rochdale.

The results of Thursday’s scan show the defender is now likely to be out for an extended period of time.

Husband, partnering the returning Dan Ballard in the centre of defence, produced a magnificent display to help Blackpool claim three points and make it four wins from five.

“I thought he was terrific,” Critchley told The Gazette.

“That’s nothing against Jordan because I think he’s been fantastic as well, but sometimes you just have to pick at the right time what you feel is the right team.

“Sometimes that’s done on feeling and your gut instinct, and I felt it was the right time for Jordan to come out and for Hubby to go in.

“I’ve shown my faith in Hubby in that position this season. He had a couple of unfortunate incidents at the beginning of the season (two red cards), but I think he’s shown he’s more than capable of playing in that position.

“He’s quick, he reads the game well, he can head it, he gives you that left-footed balance and he gives you a voice as well – a really important voice too.”

Jerry Yates’ late strike earned the Seasiders their vital 1-0 win to complete a league double over their high-flying hosts.

Kenny Jackett’s side, who sit fifth in the League One table, have failed to score in both of their matches against Blackpool this season.

“It’s a big achievement,” Critchley added.

“You look at their front four – Ronan Curtis, Marcus Harness, Ryan Williams and John Marquis – and then Ellis Harrison and Jordy Hiwula come off the bench.

“They’ve got some real quality at the top end of the pitch but, in both games, I don’t really remember Maxi (Chris Maxwell) having too much to do.

“They obviously had that one moment in the first half (when Blackpool cleared the ball off the line) but I believe they shouldn’t have even got to that moment if the referee and linesman had done their job properly.

“I’d have to give credit to the defenders for putting their bodies on the line though.

“It’s not fortune, it’s just good, brave defending and it’s got us the win.

“To get two 1-0 wins against Portsmouth shows you how good we are defensively.

“We showed a little bit more in attack but it’s still an area of our game I think we can get better at.”

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