There's something in the air in Blackpool and it's not the smell of the tourist's cheap Lynx deodorant or the aroma from the hot donut stands. Instead it's an air of, dare I say, confidence being emitted from Bloomfield Road. Let me take you back 12 months. Having been through the Oyston years and NAPM, Blackpool fans will forever know the true feelings of despair and anger and so our frustration since the Championship defeat feels almost 'privileged'. However, since that relegation, which I maintain could have been so easily avoided starting with the managerial appointments, and then the Critchley return season and the frustration of the last 12 months there has felt an all too familiar 'same old Blackpool feeling about the place. Having gone through the Worthington, Hendry, Megson years, there has felt a bit of familiarity about going in to a new season under-prepared, with disappointing signings and a campaign that fails to ignite. We'd almost got used to, even aspired to be a mid-table League One side, and last season felt like we'd reversed to that same old feeling.
12 months on from a disappointing summer when Critchley stayed, we fell out with the CEO, progress felt like it had fallen off our club crest and the new arrivals were deeply underwhelming, the season felt like it flatlined as soon as Rushian Hepburn-Murphy scored for Crawley after 16 minutes of our opening game - in truth despite one or two blips it never really recovered. Critchley sent his team out badly prepared, under-resourced, complacent and even with a sense of nonchalance - it almost felt like he knew he was on borrowed time and so why put the work in? Looking back, it wasn't a bad side on that opening day with 3 players who were later to take the step up to the Championship but it lacked heart. Whilst Lee Evans was the pick of the new arrivals, the rest were either too obvious or just not ready. Coulson, Ashworth, Embleton and the return of Rhodes just felt a bit meh. Even the arrival of Ashley Fletcher in those opening games seemed to be a big mistake. We started as we went on and I will still maintain, even though he arrived at the start of September, Steve Bruce needed miracles to get us anywhere near the Top six.
Compare that to 12 months on and with season ticket sales a reflection of increased optimism, we already we have four players in who we would have killed for last season. Each announcement has been greeted with excitement and a real sense that the players will improve the club. Add to that players like Bloxham, Casey and Apter with another season's experience behind them, the return of Andy Lyons and a few of the old school from last season and it feels that rather than building on quick sand that we now have foundations in place. I can't quite hand over my boarding pass to HMS Piss the League as there are still a lot of unknown quantities out there starting with the obvious need for a goalkeeper. However, as the players returned to pre-season training and the fixtures came out, it just feels already that we are better prepared this season. We know Bruce has an eye for loans and I'd fully expect in a few weeks that 3/4 loans will arrive however before then I think we'd all like to see the announcement of a keeper, a couple of full backs and another striker. With Kouassi, Finnigan, Ashworth and Sassi unlikely to play a part, there is also a chance to really turn over the squad. For me, those four players sadly symbolise where else we've gone wrong with our recruitment, they are players who simply aren't ready for League One football. Last season we had the likes of Evans, Morgan and even Carey who were desperate for a break from playing every game but the back up just wasn't there.
Am happy to nail my colours to the mast and predict a Top 6 finish next season and that feels quite bold without knowing who else will arrive. However, it feels like we have momentum and that's worth a couple of decent signings in itself. The club feels in a good position at the moment and there feels a real sense of excitement ahead of that first game. Promotion won't be won against Stevenage but it feels that we're better prepared to get a good start than we have been for quite a few seasons.
12 months on from a disappointing summer when Critchley stayed, we fell out with the CEO, progress felt like it had fallen off our club crest and the new arrivals were deeply underwhelming, the season felt like it flatlined as soon as Rushian Hepburn-Murphy scored for Crawley after 16 minutes of our opening game - in truth despite one or two blips it never really recovered. Critchley sent his team out badly prepared, under-resourced, complacent and even with a sense of nonchalance - it almost felt like he knew he was on borrowed time and so why put the work in? Looking back, it wasn't a bad side on that opening day with 3 players who were later to take the step up to the Championship but it lacked heart. Whilst Lee Evans was the pick of the new arrivals, the rest were either too obvious or just not ready. Coulson, Ashworth, Embleton and the return of Rhodes just felt a bit meh. Even the arrival of Ashley Fletcher in those opening games seemed to be a big mistake. We started as we went on and I will still maintain, even though he arrived at the start of September, Steve Bruce needed miracles to get us anywhere near the Top six.
Compare that to 12 months on and with season ticket sales a reflection of increased optimism, we already we have four players in who we would have killed for last season. Each announcement has been greeted with excitement and a real sense that the players will improve the club. Add to that players like Bloxham, Casey and Apter with another season's experience behind them, the return of Andy Lyons and a few of the old school from last season and it feels that rather than building on quick sand that we now have foundations in place. I can't quite hand over my boarding pass to HMS Piss the League as there are still a lot of unknown quantities out there starting with the obvious need for a goalkeeper. However, as the players returned to pre-season training and the fixtures came out, it just feels already that we are better prepared this season. We know Bruce has an eye for loans and I'd fully expect in a few weeks that 3/4 loans will arrive however before then I think we'd all like to see the announcement of a keeper, a couple of full backs and another striker. With Kouassi, Finnigan, Ashworth and Sassi unlikely to play a part, there is also a chance to really turn over the squad. For me, those four players sadly symbolise where else we've gone wrong with our recruitment, they are players who simply aren't ready for League One football. Last season we had the likes of Evans, Morgan and even Carey who were desperate for a break from playing every game but the back up just wasn't there.
Am happy to nail my colours to the mast and predict a Top 6 finish next season and that feels quite bold without knowing who else will arrive. However, it feels like we have momentum and that's worth a couple of decent signings in itself. The club feels in a good position at the moment and there feels a real sense of excitement ahead of that first game. Promotion won't be won against Stevenage but it feels that we're better prepared to get a good start than we have been for quite a few seasons.
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