With the first five games of Blackpool’s season now behind them, it’s fair to say the Seasiders are not where they imagined they would be at this point when the season started four weeks ago.
The Tangerines find themselves languishing in 20th, having picked up just three points from their first five fixtures. They also find themselves with the problem of having the worst defence in the EFL, an issue not helped by the fact that they have failed to find the back of the net in their previous two outings.
Whilst their solitary victory came from a strong home performance against a strong Huddersfield Town team, the club have found themselves unable to replicate that performance against sides they need to be beating, should they wish to be in and around the top six come May. A defeat on opening day to Stevenage could have been written off as a bad day at the office, had the Seasiders not backed it up the following week with a 4-1 hammering from Exeter City.
Last time out saw the Seasiders fall to a 1-0 loss away to Plymouth, which saw the Pilgrims finally get their EFL League One season off the mark. Whilst the score-line appears narrow, the Tangerines were resoundingly beaten by their opponents from Devon, a reflection of the weak performance they put in the Tuesday prior away to Mansfield.
Here’s three things we’ve learnt from those first five fixtures, and where we see the Seasider’s season going in the coming months.
You Do Not Win The League In The Summer Transfer Window
Whilst it is sometimes true that a raft of signings can ensure a competitive season, such as those made last season by Birmingham City last season, reality is often a little harsher. A great example from the previous season to counter the argument of Birmingham is that of Rotherham. Steve Evans’s side brought in 14 new faces ahead of the 2024/25 season.
On paper, signings such as Jonson Clarke-Harris and Joe Rafferty made the South Yorkshire side appear as genuine promotion contenders. In reality, the Millers could only manage a 13th placed finish, with Evans losing his job by March.
Whilst the signings Blackpool have made looked good on paper, they still need time to bed in. The three goals conceded to Stevenage all came from errors that could be attributed to a debutant, which only furthers the point that professional football is nothing like a FIFA career mode. Bailey Peacock-Farrell is one who has come under particular heat from fans, although a couple of encouraging performances, including a penalty save against Mansfield, should hopefully boost his confidence.
That said, one man who has hit the ground running is George Honeyman. The former Sunderland man has made himself at the home in the Seasiders’ midfield, even taking the armband from teammate Lee Evans. Also worth a mention is Jordan Brown, who has slotted in at right-back following injury to fellow summer signing Danny Imray. Injuries plagued the Seasiders throughout pre-season, and Steve Bruce has had to be adaptable in the teams he has selected so far. Hopefully, once all his men are back, the level of Honeyman will be the standard set for the rest of the side.
Ennis Is A Menace
One of the most vital pieces of business made by the club this window was securing the return of Niall Ennis. The former Plymouth man has been a real bright spark in the side, despite having made just three appearances this season.
The 26-year-old opened his account on the opening day of the season, with a typical Ennis goal. His willingness to chase a long ball from Jordan Brown saw the striker through on goal, before finishing with aplomb. In a game dictated by Stevenage’s regimental backline, Ennis’ inability to give up a chase gave Blackpool a real chance of getting back in the game.
An off day followed against Exeter, but the following week would give Ennis a chance to demonstrate his importance to the team in more ways than one.
Once the Tangerines found themselves 1-0 down to Huddersfield Town, not many would have expected the comeback that followed, orchestrated by Ennis. His desire to win a ball expected to be cleared by Jack Whatmough saw him net the equaliser, before his tendency to be in the right place at the right time allowed him to bag his team’s third, and ultimately the matchwinner. Whilst his three goals make him EFL League One’s second top scorer, his importance to the side was demonstrated in another way against Huddersfield.
A 36th minute red card meant Ennis has been suspended for the previous two games, whilst he will also miss this weekend’s important clash with Bolton Wanderers. Whilst the red card may have worked in Blackpool’s favour on the day, allowing them to shut up shop against an onslaught from the Terriers, it certainly hasn’t in their following fixtures.
Big money signing Dale Taylor has been unable to find the net in his three starts, whilst Ennis’ favoured partner Ashley Fletcher was forced off with an injury in the same fixture, meaning he has also missed the club’s last few games. With the Seasiders unable to find the net following Ennis’ sending off, it is no understatement to say he will be a vital return, not just for the game against Northampton, but for the entire season.
Blackpool Have Defensive Woes
Alongside the optimism for the new signings, much was made about the strength of the club’s defensive options.
The arrivals of Michael Ihiekwe and Fraser Horsfall, alongside the rock of Oliver Casey, above all managed by Manchester United legend Steve Bruce, gave many the impression that the Seasiders would be a hard team to break down this season.
In reality, the first few games have shown the side to be a defensive calamity. Errors from Horsfall and Ihiekwe gifted Stevenage two goals on the opening day, whilst lazy defending from set-pieces against Mansfield lost them the game. As mentioned, this has all culminated in the club having the worst defence in the EFL, conceding 12 in five games.
The goalkeeping question has also been brought into focus. Peacock-Farrell has come under some pretty heavy fire from Blackpool fans, with some looking for a scapegoat for the season’s horrendous start. Whilst it’s true that the Northern Ireland international hasn’t looked the most confident, there is time for him to grow into his role. Fans won’t need reminding of the resurgence made last season by Everton loanee Harry Tyrer.
The shocking start to the season will hopefully settle down once Bruce has a settled defence at his disposal. I think many would be surprised if a back four of Brown, Casey, Ihiekwe and Coulson lines up against Bradford come the end of September. Once Horsfall and Imray return, Bruce’s arm will no longer be lifted by the restraints forced upon him by injuries, whilst reinforcements have not been ruled out before the end of the window.
Whilst the defence has come under fire, and rightly so, the focus wouldn’t be on them so severely if the attack was also doing its job. The whole team has been underwhelming – the back four unfortunately are feeling the impact of this the most.
The Remaining 41
Whilst the club has struggled through its first five, it’s important to remember the League One season is a long old slog.
Plenty of opportunity remains for this side to turn it around. In my opinion, any calls for Bruce’s head are premature, and those voicing those opinions seem to be the ones who called for Critchley’s in 2020. If it stays like this come November/December, then there is every right for questions to be asked, but for now it is important to remember Blackpool never start the season quickly.
How do you think Blackpool will do this season? Can they turn their horrific start around? Let us know your opinion in the comments!
