Gazette interview with Neil Critchley ahead of tomorrows opening game

Yarmouth Seasider

Yarmouth Seasider

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Blackpool FC: Neil Critchley provides squad update ahead of the Seasiders' League One opener​

Neil Critchley says the Blackpool squad is in good shape heading into the new League One season.

The Seasiders get the campaign underway against Burton Albion at Bloomfield Road on Saturday afternoon (K.O. 3pm).

Critchley admits his side have come through pre-season pretty much unscathed.
“There’s only Jordan Gabriel from last season that is injured,” he explained.
“We’ve only suffered some bumps and bruises during pre-season- which has been a bonus.

“We’ve not had any muscle injuries which is due to the fact of how we work and how we train.

“It’s always about getting that balance right of getting fitness into the players, overloading them a little, bit but not too much, and not undercooking them either.
“We want to be ready for the first game, but we understand it’s a long hard season- you don’t want to be knackered by November.
“Everyone is fit and we’re good to go.

“Jordan (Gabriel) has been on the grass running, so we’re hopeful if there’s no complications that he’ll be a few weeks away from joining in in training, which will be another bonus.”
Critchley also provided a fitness update on new recruit Kyle Joseph.

“He’s naturally a very fit boy anyway,” he added.
“He’s a really good athlete.
“He did the first week or 10 days with Swansea, picked up a knock there, and missed three weeks of pre-season.
“He’s been training for the last week now so it’s about when do we integrate him back into the squad and get some match minutes under his belt.”

The Seasiders are also continuing to keep their eye on the ongoings in the transfer market.

“We’re still looking,” Critchley stated.
“I’d be surprised if the squad was still the same as it is right now in four weeks.
“We’re still hopeful of doing some work between now and the end of August.
“The squad is still healthy, but we’re probably still light in a couple of areas of the pitch- we’re working tirelessly to improve that, but we only want to bring in players that will add to the quality of the squad.”
 
Interesting comment about the training and muscle injuries - we all said last season that the hamstring gate was a complete joke and had to be down to poor conditioning/ pushing the players too far.
It was obvious.
Glad to see him address this, thanks NC 🍊
 
Same interview from the o/s, a little more detail.
Neil Critchley has been pleased with the fitness of his group ahead of the opening day against Burton Albion.

The vast majority of the Seasiders squad is fit and ready to go ahead of Saturday's encounter at Bloomfield Road as the Head Coach looks to get off to a winning start in his second spell in charge.

Critchley believes that the lack of injuries is no coincidence and is about the way he and his staff work to monitor and take care of the players - as has been the case throughout pre-season.

“I think there’s only Jordan Gabriel from last season who is injured. We’ve only suffered some bumps and bruises in pre-season which has been a bonus," Critchley said.

“We’ve not suffered any muscle injuries and I think that’s due to the fact of how we work and how we train, with the sports science team, we take care and look after the players.

“It’s always getting that balance right of getting that fitness into the players, stressing and overloading them but not too much as you don’t want to undercook them either. Yes, we want to be ready for the first game of the season but we also understand it’s a long, hard season and we don’t want to be knackered come November – we’re conscious of that.

“Kyle (Joseph) is a naturally fit boy anyway. He’s a really good athlete and he did the first week to ten days with Swansea and picked up a knock there.

“He’s missed about three weeks of pre-season but he’s been training for the last week now so it’s about when we integrate him into the squad and get some match minutes under his belt.

“We’ll see with him, we’ll make that decision today.”

It has been a consistent and growing process throughout the summer as the Blackpool boss looks to implement his system and style on to the group. Whilst he already knew many of the players from his first spell, there has also been a lot of turnover so it has been a clean slate on the training pitch.

Critchley has reiterated the importance of regular messaging to the group both on the field and in the analysis room in order to have the players best set once the Sky Bet League One campaign gets underway.

“I want the players to know what they’re doing on the football pitch, that might sound ridiculous but sometimes that’s not true," Critchley added.

“Roles and responsibilities in and out of possession in all facets of the game, what we do in the build-up, what we do to score goals, how we’re going to press, how we’re going to defend, set pieces, all of those take a lot of time and effort.

“We’ve had a lot of players leave at the end of last season and we’ve had new players come in so it will take time. That’s why pre-season has been really beneficial for us.

“You’ve got to help the players understand what it is we’re trying to do and make sure they’re in that process with you, that they understand the reasons why. It’s not just me telling them, if you can explain it to them and they can see it and feel it on the pitch, they’re more likely to hopefully believe in what we’re doing.”

The Seasiders boss will get the chance to walk out into the home dugout at Bloomfield Road for a competitive fixture once again on Saturday. It will be a proud moment for Critchley who ensures every new recruit understands what it means to represent the football club.

“I’m really excited. I say to all the players we sign, Bloomfield Road on a Saturday afternoon is a very special place – the atmosphere is incredible," said Critchley.

“I can’t wait to experience that again. We’re at home, it’s the first game, it’s a new challenge and a fresh start and I’d love nothing more than to give our supporters three points on Saturday.

“The time flies in football and in life. Every season seems like it will be such a long season and then it goes in the blink of an eye, and this will be no different.

“Pre-season has gone, the last six weeks I’m not sure what’s happened, where the time has gone, but I’ve really enjoyed it. The staff are brilliant, I get great support and I feel very comfortable and valued at the football club and I think that leads back to the people around me – I love being here.”
 
Joseph close to a return and tomorrow sounds not out of the question...

"Kyle Joseph arrived at the Club injured but is close to a return to action – it remains to be seen whether he will be fit to make his debut in this one." Club website.
 
Tango1953 said:
The more I read and hear from him the more I realise I've missed his sensible, reasoned approach.

Far better than Appleton banging on about Alpha males and seeing players not have a clue what is expected of them.
Click to expand...
Appleton was more interested in his bench press personal best rather than the players' fitness.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Joseph get some game time at Derby midweek. Fully match fit only tomorrow.
 
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