Mick McCarthy’s Blackpool squad is taking shape

Ball on Fire said:
A Win Win situation for McCarthy and has the rest of this season for me, he could lose the first 4 games and still get enough points to keep us up. If McCarthy keeps us up he will quite rightly get all of the praise, if McCarthy was to take us down it will be Appleton’s fault.

I think McCarthy will pack his starting X1 with hard working, high energy players who enjoy the physical side of the game. His substitutions, both the timing of the subs and who he brings on and off the pitch will be very interesting. I don‘t think when it comes to squad rotation McCarthy will even be remotely interested, every decision he takes will be geared to getting results, McCarthy is a tough as teak Yorkshireman who in his career will have carried on playing with injuries, I can’t see him being impressed by some of the players on the long term injury list and giving them opportunities should they get match fit before the end of the season.
Click to expand...

If Blackpool suffer relegation, Appleton will not prove the only culpable figure.

Though he failed to measure up, the board:
•screwed the summer transfer window..
•ducked a probe to stop excessive injuries.
•waited far too long to fire the head coach.
•swopped him for someone after his two flops elsewhere in nine months.
•refused to lure a joint owner for Championship quality buys.
 
People forget the rules have changed since Micks previous jobs. 5 subs is a huge change. It allows you to play creative players and get them to work hard also on the basis they will have only 55 mins for example. We have a load of players similar in quality. You can play a 442 and change the whole midfield 4. Same with full backs getting fwd and a player like Gaz. If a few players are told to go hard and pace themselves for 55 Mina for example it should allow for them to get back and fwd at a high pace.
 
NewburyOne said:
One game at a time, who's to say who will be fit in 11 days time. I suspect he'll go 442 at Southampton and want one of Dougall or Trybull alongside Patino. I also think he'll go for the most physically strong defenders we have in the fullback positions to allow Bowler, Rogers, Poveda and CJ the freedom to attack. It will be very interesting to see how he sets us up. If I had to guess, I'd go with the following.

Maxwell
Connolly Goode Thornily Husband
Bowler Dougall/Trybull Patino Rogers
Madine Yates
Click to expand...
I think that will be pretty close. Maybe Grimmy for Maxwell and Lyons for Connelly. Depends what he gets told
 
paulco said:
If Blackpool suffer relegation, Appleton will not prove the only culpable figure.

Though he failed to measure up, the board:
•screwed the summer transfer window..
•ducked a probe to stop excessive injuries.
•waited far too long to fire the head coach.
•swopped him for someone after his two flops elsewhere in nine months.
•refused to lure a joint owner for Championship quality buys.
Click to expand...
And the moaning continues bla, bla, bla. FFS move on and stop watching EastEnders.
 
Hazi, you're obviously close to things. That's a great looking team, and I think one or two on here would be surprised at it.

However, as folk have also said, for his first game not going too different in formation to previous. But more mobile with Jerry as the forward, and Lyons for Connolly. A lot of flexibility too - if we need to go for it withdraw TT, hold on to a lead hook Charlie and bring on Dougall or Connolly.

If that's close to what he does eventually select, do you think it's likely to be different going on in the league? More in line with what folk might call a MM team? I'm hoping not, and that he brings his own influences and works with the attacking talent we have. Which is really what your lineup is doing.
 
LA-KINGS said:
People forget the rules have changed since Micks previous jobs. 5 subs is a huge change. It allows you to play creative players and get them to work hard also on the basis they will have only 55 mins for example. We have a load of players similar in quality. You can play a 442 and change the whole midfield 4. Same with full backs getting fwd and a player like Gaz. If a few players are told to go hard and pace themselves for 55 Mina for example it should allow for them to get back and fwd at a high pace.
Click to expand...
Mick in the past, like a lot of Managers, has been criticised for his risk averse approach to making substitutions particularly the timing of them, that was back in the day when he could only make 3 substitutions, I don’t think he will ever make 5 substitutions in a match.
TangerineBayern said:
And a very good keeper too👍
Click to expand...
I have not seen Stuart Moore play but I see he is 28 now and has only played a total of 30 games for League Clubs, his brother Simon on the other hand has played over 200 games for League Clubs. Do you think Stuart Moore could be 1st choice for Blackpool in the Championship?
 
Ball on Fire said:
Mick in the past, like a lot of Managers, has been criticised for his risk averse approach to making substitutions particularly the timing of them, that was back in the day when he could only make 3 substitutions, I don’t think he will ever make 5 substitutions in a match.
Click to expand...
Because he didn't when he couldn't?
 
‘My old man used to say to me no one will fall out with you if you work hard Mick, you might not play well every week but nobody will say you didn't try.’

- Mick McCarthy, Blackpool, January 2023
 
Hazi said:
For the saints
Grimshaw
Lyons Goode Thorniley Husband
Trybull Charlie
Bowler Poveda Rogers
Yates
Click to expand...
I’d give that a go for the Saints game just to see if it works and where it struggles.
Back in the league I feel we need to begin with 2 x holding midfielders and allow the full backs to get really forward. They’ll be the width.

Josh comes into an inside forward role and then you are considering do you play Yates in that inside forward role (like Mane did - not as a left winger) which allows Gaz in the centre and Poveda or Rodgers or even Patino in the 10 slot.

We now have actual impact subs too so the starting line up can be solid and hard to beat with an unleash of the attack muts around 65-70
 
Superbretty said:
I believe MM said Richard O'Donnell had given him the lowdown on the players' strengths and weaknesses. Might have an impact on his team selection
Click to expand...
He has already watched a lot of the games, which is good to know, it was a final nail for me when sour Apples said he hadn't watched us play under Critch.
 
He’s here to keep us up and he’ll be happy with 0-0 away and 1-0 at home, I don’t expect exciting, attacking football, his priority will be making sure the defence doesn’t concede goals. Unless he has an epiphany and goes all Man City, i think we’re in for battling, dull football, but that’s what’s needed until we’re safe. I can’t see how he’s going to fit in those flair players we have, like Bowler, Poveda, Morgan, C.J and Keshi when he’s fit.
 
Hazi said:
He has already watched a lot of the games, which is good to know, it was a final nail for me when sour Apples said he hadn't watched us play under Critch.
Click to expand...
Surprised to hear McCarthy has watched a lot of our games unless that has been watching match videos since he took the job. According to McCarthy he was only approached last Wednesday after Appleton had been sacked and he lives in Bromley (Kent) so I can’t see him travelling up to Bloomfield Road to watch a Blackpool home game. I am 100% sure that Appleton, who had a reputation for meticulous planning and preparation would have watched every Blackpool match on video from the 2021/22 season, however he probably had sleepless nights after he was watching the Peterborough v Blackpool and Pool v Derby videos. Appleton was appointed in June (pre season) and it is perfectly understandable that he wouldn‘t have watched Blackpool play live under Critch.
 
Graves said:
‘My old man used to say to me no one will fall out with you if you work hard Mick, you might not play well every week but nobody will say you didn't try.’

- Mick McCarthy, Blackpool, January 2023
Click to expand...
Mick is a results business now and hard work counts for nothing.
 
Superbretty said:
I believe MM said Richard O'Donnell had given him the lowdown on the players' strengths and weaknesses. Might have an impact on his team selection
Click to expand...
I hope so as in the short term Mick will need all the help and advice he can get. Mick will still make all the decisions but I am sure input from O’Donnell will be well received.
 
Matesrates said:
He’s here to keep us up and he’ll be happy with 0-0 away and 1-0 at home, I don’t expect exciting, attacking football, his priority will be making sure the defence doesn’t concede goals. Unless he has an epiphany and goes all Man City, i think we’re in for battling, dull football, but that’s what’s needed until we’re safe. I can’t see how he’s going to fit in those flair players we have, like Bowler, Poveda, Morgan, C.J and Keshi when he’s fit.
Click to expand...
Morgan?

Roger Morgan? 😉
 
Superbretty said:
Yes, whatever happens I'm happier with Big Mick in charge
Click to expand...
Good to hear, Mick’s been on a charm offensive with the Press and fans in his first week. I will reserve judgement until the end of the season and wait until I have some football based evidence to offer an opinion.
 
Last edited:
Ball on Fire said:
Surprised to hear McCarthy has watched a lot of our games unless that has been watching match videos since he took the job. According to McCarthy he was only approached last Wednesday after Appleton had been sacked and he lives in Bromley (Kent) so I can’t see him travelling up to Bloomfield Road to watch a Blackpool home game. I am 100% sure that Appleton, who had a reputation for meticulous planning and preparation would have watched every Blackpool match on video from the 2021/22 season, however he probably had sleepless nights after he was watching the Peterborough v Blackpool and Pool v Derby videos. Appleton was appointed in June (pre season) and it is perfectly understandable that he wouldn‘t have watched Blackpool play live under Critch.
Click to expand...
Videos and Apples should of done the same. You have a group of players and wondering how they would do in a match situation and in different formations, against Championship sides then somebody gives you a back catalogue of them actually doing that, so much information to be got, negligent not to watch them
 
Last edited:
Mick said he asked for a complation of goals conceded to be put together and watched that. Wanted to see what type of goals we concede.
 
Suspect couple of dodgy results until he finds his starting team
Confident he is a good candidate for a relegation dogfight
 
If he leaves Bowler out he must be mad..how can you leave your best player out.. would Utd leave Rashford out.. no chance
 
Hazi said:
Videos and Apples should have done the same. You have a group of players and wondering how they would do in a match situation and in different formations, against Championship sides then somebody gives you a back catalogue of them actually doing that, so much information to be got, negligent not to watch them
Click to expand...
Totally agree, this is a very basic requirement and there is no way Appleton and Kerslake would not have watched similar videos from the 2021/22 season after they were appointed in June 2022. Having heard how Appleton operates it would not surprise me to hear that Appleton watched most of those videos many times.
 
Hazi said:
He has already watched a lot of the games, which is good to know, it was a final nail for me when sour Apples said he hadn't watched us play under Critch.
Click to expand...
I bet he watched the first ten mins at Wembley before Kenny ‘2 not 1’ took over the show?

He’d have then been frozen and transfixed on the sideline like a modern Bela Lugosi whilst his team flapped and suffered
 
voyeur said:
Mick said he asked for a compilation of goals conceded to be put together and watched that. Wanted to see what type of goals we concede.
Click to expand...
Perhaps he will now move onto a compilation of goals scored and near misses to see how we make goal scoring chances. Also worth him looking at a compilation of free kicks and corners, both for and against us as this is an aspect of the way we have been playing that needs to improve.
 
Ball on Fire said:
Perhaps he will now move onto a compilation of goals scored and near misses to see how we make goal scoring chances. Also worth him looking at a compilation of free kicks and corners, both for and against us as this is an aspect of the way we have been playing that needs to improve.
Click to expand...
There's only so much value in watching what we did previously I think.
 
Chunkylad said:
I’d give that a go for the Saints game just to see if it works and where it struggles.
Back in the league I feel we need to begin with 2 x holding midfielders and allow the full backs to get really forward. They’ll be the width.

Josh comes into an inside forward role and then you are considering do you play Yates in that inside forward role (like Mane did - not as a left winger) which allows Gaz in the centre and Poveda or Rodgers or even Patino in the 10 slot.

We now have actual impact subs too so the starting line up can be solid and hard to beat with an unleash of the attack muts around 65-70
Click to expand...
IMO Mick should use the Southampton game to help him prepare for the Middlesbrough away game. He will have picked a team and subs to play Huddersfield last Sat and he can now make changes to that initial starting line up and subs based on what he has seen and heard during his 1st week in the job whilst also taking account of both Southampton and Middlesbrough are away games. This Southampton game gives Mick the opportunity in a competitive game to try out different formations and tactics using the players at his disposal none of whom will have played a competitive game for 2 weeks so they should be eager to show the new Manager what they can do.
 
voyeur said:
There's only so much value in watching what we did previously I think.
Click to expand...
Agreed, but I would be worried if Mick was just focusing on the defensive side of our game. We definitely need to increase the goals we score as there have been too many games this season when we haven’t scored a single goal.
 
Raging_Bull said:
MM loves the big target man so Madine is a cert every game, I remember when Cardiff beat us at home and we got bullied and the long throw being flicked on lead to their first goal, I'm not sure MM brand of football will sit well with the purists of our fan base, it's the polar opposite of the likes of Swansea.
Click to expand...
But I'm guessing MM likes a targetman that has the pace and mobility to get into the box and on the end of things in open play. Madine rarely does that. He'll start with him but when he realises how slow madine is Beesley might get a chance.
 
Ball on Fire said:
Agreed, but I would be worried if Mick was just focusing on the defensive side of our game. We definitely need to increase the goals we score as there have been too many games this season when we haven’t scored a single goal.
Click to expand...
Try not to worry. 😉
 
gjr69 said:
But I'm guessing MM likes a targetman that has the pace and mobility to get into the box and on the end of things in open play. Madine rarely does that. He'll start with him but when he realises how slow madine is Beesley might get a chance.
Click to expand...
I'm guessing every manager wants a 6-foot striker who is also quick, skillful and gets round the pitch. Also guessing a lot of clubs don't have one.
 
straightatthewall said:
I'm guessing every manager wants a 6-foot striker who is also quick, skillful and gets round the pitch. Also guessing a lot of clubs don't have one.
Click to expand...
Just moderately paced would be something. Personally don't see much point in a centre forward who can't outpace centrebacks and rarely gets into the opposition box in open play.
 
Does anybody have any thoughts who will be announced as Captain? Mick has taken soundings from the players and explained the qualities he is looking for in his Captain and said the Captain will be announced at 2pm on Saturday. it can’t be Ekpiteta as he is injured and I don’t think it will be Maxwell, it has to be somebody who is going to start regularly. My guess is that Gary Madine will continue as captain.
 
Ball on Fire said:
I have been reading up on McCarthy’s last stint in the Championship with Cardiff City. Seems he likes a 5-4-1 formation and sets his teams up to fight for every ball, stay in shape and play direct football. If the whole current Blackpool X1 was available to McCarthy what do you think his starting X1 would be? I would go for Grimshaw in goal, a back 5 of Connolly, Goode, Ekpiteta, Thorniley and Husband. A midfield 4 of Dougall, Stewart, Trybull and Bridcutt with Madine as the target man.
Click to expand...
Would he really want to replace his top scorer in favour of Madine who isn’t going to get us that many goals?
 
Dougall said:
Would he really want to replace his top scorer in favour of Madine who isn’t going to get us that many goals?
Click to expand...
McCarthy in the past has favoured a big strong target man to lead the line. Yates doesn’t fit the bill but Madine does. Madine has scored 4 goals in the Championship and also has 4 assists plus Madine is very useful when we are defending free kicks and corners, Madine was also Blackpool’s top goalscorer in the Championship last season. Yates has 9 goals in the Championship so far which have all come in 6 of the 27 Championship games that Yates has played in so far. Yates has not scored a goal in the Championship for 3 months and his last goal in the Championship was in Oct 2022. I am a big fan of Jerry Yates but his best chance of starting will be if McCarthy decide to play two up front.
 
McCarthy said he had not spoken to any of the 6 long term injured players and was concentrating on the players who were turning up to training every day. He didn’t have a clue when any of the 6, apart from Ekpiteta, would be fit to play again this season. I got the impression he has written them off until they turn up at training,
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top