Neil Critchley delivers his verdict on display of out-of-favour former Sheffield Wednesday defender during FA Cup defeat to Brighton

The defender was handed a rare start on Saturday, only his fifth of the season, as the Seasiders bowed out of the cup at the fourth round stage following a 2-1 defeat.

With Daniel Gretarsson out injured and Dan Ballard missing, the 24-year-old grasped his opportunity playing in the centre of Blackpool’s back three.

The former Sheffield Wednesday man, who Critchley revealed last week is free to leave if another club comes in for him, performed well alongside Marvin Ekpiteta and James Husband.

Thorniley has yet to make a single league appearance this season.

“I thought he along with the rest of the team performed admirably,” Critchley told The Gazette.

“What I know about Jordan is that he’s a top professional and I knew he wouldn’t be lacking for his mentality or his attitude.

“We changed the shape and went to a back three and Jordan is used to playing in that.”

With Blackpool returning five positive Covid-19 tests on Friday, Thorniley wasn’t the only fringe player to be given his chance.

The likes of Jordan Gabriel, MJ Williams, Matty Virtue and Ethan Rosbon were also handed starts as they got some vital minutes under their belts ahead.

“Some were running on empty and that’s understandable,” Critchley added.

“When you look at the last two weeks with the weather and everything, we’ve not been able to get as much training into them as we’d have liked.

“Sometimes it then comes down to your willingness to go beyond the levels you thought you were capable of.

“Some of the players out there did that for me and the club.”

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