Blackpool’s ever-growing injury list has added another name to its ranks, with manager Steve Bruce confirming that one of the Seasiders’ key players, Niall Ennis, is set to be out of action for around ten weeks with a calf injury.
The injury, which saw Ennis substituted in the 36th minute of Blackpool’s 1-0 defeat away to Bradford City at the weekend, is the latest in a spate suffered by some of the Seasiders’ key men, with midfielder George Honeyman and winger Scott Banks both ruled out for long periods.
Honeyman, who has started games as captain under Bruce, is expected to be out for around six weeks, whilst tricky winger Banks, who joined the club on a season long loan from Bundesliga side FC St. Pauli on deadline day, is set for a month on the sidelines.
How Big An Impact Could Ennis’ Injury Have?
The timing of Ennis’ injury could not be any worse for under fire Steve Bruce. Blackpool currently find themselves occupying a relegation place in League One, sitting in 22nd having picked up just seven points from their opening nine games.
Alarmingly, all seven of those points have been picked up at Bloomfield Road, with the Seasiders having lost all five of their away games this season. Until Ennis’ substitution at Valley Parade the Seasiders had looked the more likely, which highlights another concerning trend for Bruce’s men.
Alongside boasting one of the divisions worst goal differences, the team have been lacklustre in front of goal, netting just eight times in league outings. Ennis has contributed three of these, the only player in tangerine to have netted more than one league goal so far this campaign.
With the 26-year-old set to be sidelined until at least December, there are some big boots left to fill for the rest of the team should they hope to propel the club up the League One table.
Things have to change fast at Bloomfield Road should the Seasiders still harbour hopes of reaching those coveted play-off spots, and this latest blow could prove to be a major obstacle to those ambitions.
Who Can Replace Niall Ennis?
Whilst we’ve picked up on Ennis’ goals, the striker brings so much more to this Blackpool team. The former Plymouth man’s work rate and tenacious nature are attributes seemingly lacking in the players left at Bruce’s disposal, which was evident in the Seasiders’ uninspired search for an equaliser against Bradford.
In the three games following Ennis’ red card against Huddersfield, the club mustered a solitary goal, that coming from a Teddy Sharman own goal.
The drawbacks of Bruce’s wish to keep the size of the Seasiders squad smaller seem to have been uncovered, with the club having only two recognised strikers fit.
Winger Tom Bloxham, 21, has filled up front in the past under Bruce, but has found himself out of the team in recent weeks, with other players favoured ahead of him. His cameo on Saturday did not show any signs of the tricky wide man that signed for the club in January, possibly pointing to a lack of match fitness following his own injury struggles.
Dale Taylor, the million-pound man, is the most likeliest to fill the Ennis sized gap in the team, having done so during the striker’s suspension. Unfortunately, apart from a smart piece of work to force the own goal against Bolton, the Northern Irishman hasn’t shown too much of why Simon Sadler was willing to splash the cash on him.
With the hunt for his first goal in tangerine still ongoing, Taylor will now more than likely have an extended run in the team to prove why the club were right to put their trust in him. Should he form a partnership with Ashley Fletcher similar to that of Ennis, the club might just be able to get back on the right track.
Bowler Boost
It hasn’t been all bad for the Seasiders on the injury front this weekend. There had been fears that winger Josh Bowler would be following Ennis into the treatment room, following reports that he had picked up a knock.
The former Olympiacos man was also substituted as a precaution, although Steve Bruce has now confirmed that he should be in contention for Tuesday’s clash with Luton Town.
Since returning to the club following his release from Nottingham Forest, Bowler has yet to demonstrate the ability that fans know he possesses. Although he’s shown glimpses, in his four appearances he has only managed to pick up one assist.
Following the news that he’s not suffered any long-term injury, fans will hope he can discover his form sooner rather than later and help drag the Tangerines up the League One table.
