What’s the Bez situation?
- Thread starter Athers
- Start date
rememberlesshannon
Well-known member
It seems to be the question that no reporter is asking, disappeared off the face of the earth !
TangerinePeel
Well-known member
Critchley in an interview recently said he was left off the bench in recent games for tactical reasons, the reason being that having Rob Apter (or one of the youth team players) gives us the option of having a player who can come on when you need a goal.
I think there may be a bit more to it than that to be honest, on the surface that seems a bit odd to have youth team players on the bench over a player you signed in the summer, on top of that those youth players haven't been coming on it all so it doesn't bode well for the lad.
I think there may be a bit more to it than that to be honest, on the surface that seems a bit odd to have youth team players on the bench over a player you signed in the summer, on top of that those youth players haven't been coming on it all so it doesn't bode well for the lad.
Shiggy
Well-known member
Matt Scrafton asked today about Holmes and Lubala absence. Critchley only gave information on Holmes.
TangerinePeel
Well-known member
19th March:
www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk
The 23-year-old hasn't featured for the Seasiders since the 2-0 defeat at Ipswich Town on February 6. His last start, meanwhile, was the 5-0 thrashing of Wigan Athletic on January 26.
Lubala, signed from Crawley Town for an undisclosed fee during the summer, hasn't even been able to make Blackpool's bench in recent weeks.
During Tuesday night's 1-1 draw against Burton Albion, youth-team striker Brad Holmes was preferred to Lubala on the substitute's bench.
Explaining the winger's absence, Critchley told The Gazette: “On the bench we feel like we need someone who can get a goal, a forward.
“Brad has got a record of doing that in the youth-team (scoring 19 goals in 20 games), so it’s purely a tactical reason.
Lubala has been left out of Blackpool's squads in recent weeks
“When you look at your bench, you try and fill all of those scenarios and ask yourself - ‘what if you need a goal?’
“Brad is bang in form and playing games on a regular basis for the Under-18s, so we felt he deserved that decision.”
Neil Critchley explains Bez Lubala's recent absence from Blackpool's match-day squads
Neil Critchley says it's "purely a tactical" decision to leave Bez Lubala out of Blackpool's match-day squad.
www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk
The 23-year-old hasn't featured for the Seasiders since the 2-0 defeat at Ipswich Town on February 6. His last start, meanwhile, was the 5-0 thrashing of Wigan Athletic on January 26.
Lubala, signed from Crawley Town for an undisclosed fee during the summer, hasn't even been able to make Blackpool's bench in recent weeks.
During Tuesday night's 1-1 draw against Burton Albion, youth-team striker Brad Holmes was preferred to Lubala on the substitute's bench.
Explaining the winger's absence, Critchley told The Gazette: “On the bench we feel like we need someone who can get a goal, a forward.
“Brad has got a record of doing that in the youth-team (scoring 19 goals in 20 games), so it’s purely a tactical reason.
Lubala has been left out of Blackpool's squads in recent weeks
“When you look at your bench, you try and fill all of those scenarios and ask yourself - ‘what if you need a goal?’
“Brad is bang in form and playing games on a regular basis for the Under-18s, so we felt he deserved that decision.”
Yes hope he's OK. Usually there's some sort of update.
The only way I'd buy that as a reason is if Critchley gave that interview from in five years time and they teleported it back to now. I'd say Bez has scored and assisted far more football league goals than Rob Apter (and all the other youth team lads) so far. None of who NC has actually trusted yet in a league game unless we're well clear on the score with a minute left.
If he's available for the 18 and there's nothing physically, mentally or personally stopping that from happening then at the moment surely he would be in it. If for no other reason than what other choices are there right now?
19th March:
Neil Critchley explains Bez Lubala's recent absence from Blackpool's match-day squads
Neil Critchley says it's "purely a tactical" decision to leave Bez Lubala out of Blackpool's match-day squad.
The 23-year-old hasn't featured for the Seasiders since the 2-0 defeat at Ipswich Town on February 6. His last start, meanwhile, was the 5-0 thrashing of Wigan Athletic on January 26.
Lubala, signed from Crawley Town for an undisclosed fee during the summer, hasn't even been able to make Blackpool's bench in recent weeks.
During Tuesday night's 1-1 draw against Burton Albion, youth-team striker Brad Holmes was preferred to Lubala on the substitute's bench.
Explaining the winger's absence, Critchley told The Gazette: “On the bench we feel like we need someone who can get a goal, a forward.
“Brad has got a record of doing that in the youth-team (scoring 19 goals in 20 games), so it’s purely a tactical reason.
Lubala has been left out of Blackpool's squads in recent weeks
“When you look at your bench, you try and fill all of those scenarios and ask yourself - ‘what if you need a goal?’
“Brad is bang in form and playing games on a regular basis for the Under-18s, so we felt he deserved that decision.”
The only way I'd buy that as a reason is if Critchley gave that interview from in five years time and they teleported it back to now. I'd say Bez has scored and assisted far more football league goals than Rob Apter (and all the other youth team lads) so far. None of who NC has actually trusted yet in a league game unless we're well clear on the score with a minute left.
If he's available for the 18 and there's nothing physically, mentally or personally stopping that from happening then at the moment surely he would be in it. If for no other reason than what other choices are there right now?
Alfie Conn
Well-known member
Training ground altercation?.
TangerinePeel
Well-known member
Yep that's what makes it odd for me, the fact Bez is a FORWARD yet he is saying he is putting a youth team player on the bench over him "in case we need a goal".
That is what is making me think there is more to it than meets the eye, if Critch was bringing the youth players on it'd make sense - but he isn't. As you say, Bez Lubala with league experience is typically a better choice as a substitute.
AmericanTangerine
Well-known member
There's certainly more to it than just "tactical reasons".
I think it's safe to assume that something happened between Critch and Bez because you don't just leave out a player who you signed in the Summer for 6 figures for no reason.
Bez was decent in moments and poor in others, but certainly can't be kept out because of his performances, because Mitchell was in the same earlier this year, but has come back a different player so you'd think Bez deserves at least a few games to prove himself again.
I think it's safe to assume that something happened between Critch and Bez because you don't just leave out a player who you signed in the Summer for 6 figures for no reason.
Bez was decent in moments and poor in others, but certainly can't be kept out because of his performances, because Mitchell was in the same earlier this year, but has come back a different player so you'd think Bez deserves at least a few games to prove himself again.
SirHarryThomson
Well-known member
Feel a bit sorry for Bez. Noticed he tweeted after Posh game praising the teams performance. Looks like things haven't worked out for him here.
TangerinePeel
Well-known member
Grammatically speaking your statement implies that things have gotten to a point where they're too good at the club, and we need to start looking for issues to counteract that. Love that, feels proper Blackpool that does!
Probably a bit of an odd thing to tell fans to "stop looking for issues" because things are going so well (I think that's what your saying anyway), I don't think there is anything wrong with wondering why a player we've signed has been completely dropped from the match day squad. There is only innocent speculation that it is probably more than a tactical reason as well - no harm in that either really.
mull
Well-known member
I think it's odd and a real shame for us and Bez if we don't see him in the tangerine again.
Very raw but there definitely were, got me at least, glimpses of proper potential.
Admittedly you do have to show more than glimpses but quite a few of the Blackpool team( e.g Mitchell, Virtue, even Yates by some) have been decried as being powder puff, not up to it but have improved markedly as the season has progressed and they ve had game time.
I don't feel Bez has yet had quite that opportunity.
Very raw but there definitely were, got me at least, glimpses of proper potential.
Admittedly you do have to show more than glimpses but quite a few of the Blackpool team( e.g Mitchell, Virtue, even Yates by some) have been decried as being powder puff, not up to it but have improved markedly as the season has progressed and they ve had game time.
I don't feel Bez has yet had quite that opportunity.
Hooleys
Well-known member
.
I just think that we don’t always need to know everything that happens at the club and prefer to concentrate on the positives. Just an opinion.
the post didn’t read, how it was meant to, edited now. Note to self reread before posting
I just think that we don’t always need to know everything that happens at the club and prefer to concentrate on the positives. Just an opinion.
Matesrates
Well-known member
If, as Critchley has said, it’s tactical, that’s odd, because we haven’t seen or heard anything of him since 6th February, so it’s unlikely to be tactical for every game since then.
If he was injured, surely Critchley would have given an update, so for me, it’s something else, possibly the training ground incident referred to, or a spat between him and Critchley.
If he was injured, surely Critchley would have given an update, so for me, it’s something else, possibly the training ground incident referred to, or a spat between him and Critchley.
Insider
Well-known member
Just looking through the programme, it's always interesting to remind yourself of the starting line-ups.
The last time both Madine and Lubala started was against Wigan when we beat them 5-0. Lubala wasn't on the bench the following match against Northampton, returned for Ipswich and came on on 82mins, was on the bench the next 2 games and that was the last time he was seen (Portsmouth away 20 Feb). He is on social media and is supportive of his team mates after victories.
The last time both Madine and Lubala started was against Wigan when we beat them 5-0. Lubala wasn't on the bench the following match against Northampton, returned for Ipswich and came on on 82mins, was on the bench the next 2 games and that was the last time he was seen (Portsmouth away 20 Feb). He is on social media and is supportive of his team mates after victories.
NewburyOne
Well-known member
Critchley seems like a fair minded bloke and Bez appears to be a level headed young man. It's clear he hasn't performed as either would have liked up to this point but still think he will come good. Maybe a loan for the 1st half of next season will do for Bez what it did for Matty Phillips. For now we have a threadbare squad and need all players to be ready to come in at a moments notice.
td53
Well-known member
Yep, he did ok against Wigan. He's not got Sullay's skill, but he's more of a constant presence. He just gets stuck in and I think it's odd that his main virtue (that energy) isn't on the bench when it (energy) is the thing we clearly need in the last 20/30 mins ATM.
WestHertsUnsocialClub
Well-known member
Because he’s terrible is probably the reason. Sarkic was poor but at least another club took him on loan.
Lubala has done one thing in the league for Blackpool and that was being used by Husband to play a one/two with for Virtue to score at Wigan.
He’s looked disinterested whenever coming in as a sub, and offers nothing to the team. Turpin, Thorniley, Husband get slaughtered for making mistakes but at least they get themselves involved in games.
Fatboy
Well-known member
Or personal issues, maybe all the shit he’s been getting on other social media platforms has affected his state of health .
62years&counting
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Turpin lol. Otherwise agreed.
Memphisboy
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Don’t agree at all. Think he’s got great potential and just needs a run of games and an arm around the shoulder
td53
Well-known member
He doesn't look disinterested. He usually runs about like a lunatic, has about 5 wild shots, 3 air kicks, falls over 4 times, runs into defenders and knocks them over.... Not very effective for sure, but I am really not seeing 'disinterest'
Danny Ocean
Well-known member
Bez came to us having scored 13 goals in the previous season, he is probably the most natural striker behind Jerry Yates. Yet he has only had 444 minutes of game time, most as subs with 10-15 minutes to play. He doesn't get mentioned which suggests that it's not an injury, maybe covid.
The fact he doesn't get on the bench with so many players injured suggests that there are issues with Critchley, whether in training or maybe outside of football. My main concern is that if we have an injury to Jerry Yates, it is season over.
The fact he doesn't get on the bench with so many players injured suggests that there are issues with Critchley, whether in training or maybe outside of football. My main concern is that if we have an injury to Jerry Yates, it is season over.
Hazi
Well-known member
Not if the goal machine returns or Simms steps up
To the plate
Altyseasider
Well-known member
He's young and has stepped up a division, give the guy a chance he may come good in the coming seasons. Looks to have pace and an eye for goal probably just not right for the team just yet.
clappers
Well-known member
Agree.
S
Scaramanga
Guest
He’s young and raw, if the manager doesn’t feel he can trust him to play a certain role for the team then he doesn’t get in. If this is the case then he has to learn to adapt to what the manager wants quickly
We all want Lubala to succeed but the guy's been terrible all season. The bar has been lowered so much for him that even a decent cross is lauded as an achievement. In the nine months he's been here, the only serious attempt on goal I can remember was the last minute header at Harrogate that was going in before Kemp got a toe to it. Other than that it's been head-down bundling into defenders or wild shots destined for row Z.
Everything starts again in the summer for him but he has to massively improve and could be just one of those that never worked out. I'd be surprised if he wasn't loaned out next year.
Everything starts again in the summer for him but he has to massively improve and could be just one of those that never worked out. I'd be surprised if he wasn't loaned out next year.
Memphisboy
Well-known member
Did you not read the earlier post? He’s had 440 minutes which is the equivalent of less than 5 games. How can you prove anything in such little time? Probably counter productive because when you know you have such little time you try too hard.
Tangerinenick
Well-known member
Loved to be proved wrong but don't think Bez can cut it at this level.
tangerinespud
Well-known member
Someone needs to step up & contribute goals with Hamilton & Virtue now out.....
If Bez isn’t injured & youth lads are on the bench then there must be off the field issues ? Homesick ? bame/Covid issue? Being a c&ck in training etc ?
If Bez isn’t injured & youth lads are on the bench then there must be off the field issues ? Homesick ? bame/Covid issue? Being a c&ck in training etc ?
Seasider3610
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Chunkylad
Well-known member
I’ve heard he’s addicted to the 10p shuffle machine at Coral Island and lockdown has hit him hard?
Chunkylad
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Did we sign his brother by mistake?
FLATBACKFOR
Well-known member
I dont think he has been terrible all season, has'nt played enough games to be terrible ? I think his link-up play has improved, he needed a goal for his confidence,
He's not played enough games to progress over the season. The manager needs to address this.
He's not played enough games to progress over the season. The manager needs to address this.
TangerinePeel
Well-known member
I'm all for seeing more of him, it would have made perfect sense for him to have a good run in the squad when Hamilton was out for a prolonged period and we were playing Virtue as a winger. Considering Virtue is not in the slightest a winger and Lubala is a ready made one!
I think that is what is raising question marks about his absence. He couldn't, and still can't get a game when we are riddled with injuries and he is being replaced on the bench and being left out the squad entirely for youth team players - it certainly suggests he isn't rated by Critch unfortunately, it wouldn't surprise me if we've seen the last of him.
I think that is what is raising question marks about his absence. He couldn't, and still can't get a game when we are riddled with injuries and he is being replaced on the bench and being left out the squad entirely for youth team players - it certainly suggests he isn't rated by Critch unfortunately, it wouldn't surprise me if we've seen the last of him.
You're right that I haven't watched the Crawley highlights reel but I have watched every minute of every game Lubala has played for Blackpool and he just hasn't been good enough to warrant a place in the team.You obviously haven’t watched the video of Bezs goals and assists for CT. about 3 posts up
He needs some game time and we need at least 3 goals per game as could be seen on Saturday Unable to hold onto a lead AGAIN
I hope Lubala is wildly successful in his Blackpool career but he's going to have to get the basics right in training and then in real games before he can expect a prolonged run in the first team. No different to anyone else.
