I thought I'd write a little bit about what we can expect from Blackpool tomorrow. Rather than copy and pasting information about their history, statistics and previous matches between us I thought I'd concentrate on the team they might put out tomorrow. I've looked into them a fair bit this week, watched their league cup game, spoken to a few fans and been on their forum. A scouting report, if you will. Although we've got a few injury problems, we're still in a much better shape than Blackpool. While we have a reasonably large squad capable of dealing with the few injuries we have, Blackpool's is possibly the smallest in the Championship. In the close season, 15 players left the club and only 6 were brought in. Ince is desperate to sign more players. Apparently, they'll have 17 year old academy player, Dion Charles, on the bench tomorrow because they don't have enough fit senior players to put out a bench. Below are the teams that Ince put out for their games against Doncaster and Preston. ---------------Doncaster---------------------------------------Preston ------------------Gilks--------------------------------------------Gilks--------------------- Broadfoot Cathcart MacKenzie Harris-----Broadfoot Cathcart MacKenzie Robinson -----------Osbourne Ferguson--------------Basham------Angel-----Ferguson-----Ince Grant-------------Angel------------Ince-------------------Chopra Davies---------------- -------------------Davies---------------- Those in red are now out/doubtful. Ince prefers a 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 formation but tried new signings Davies and Chopra as a front two against Preston. Broadfoot is the centre half we were looking to sign in the close season, he's been forced to play RB since their only other option is the youngster, Caprice. While they have a strong defensive spine to their team, they are seriously lacking creativity. Osbourne, Ferguson and Basham are all defensive midfielders and Angel is doubtful having not trained yesterday or today. Elsewhere, Chopra is not fully fit yet but will have to start against us after only coming on off the bench against Doncaster. As for the team they'll put out tomorrow, it depends on the fitness of Angel and Cathcart. Ince will leave it until the last minute to see if they're fit enough according to Angel on twitter, but it may be a case of risking them because of their small squad. I would guess at a 4-3-3 formation as follows: ------------------Gilks------------------- Caprice Broadfoot Cathcart Robinson -----Basham Ferguson Osbourne----- ---------Grant Chopra Davies--------- This could change into a 4-4-2 with Grant playing on the left and Basham on the right. Another option could be to play a recognised winger in Eccleston instead of Basham although he's only a youngster. If fit, Angel and MacKenzie would come in for Basham and Caprice with Broadfoot continuing at RB. While Davies is a central striker he has played on the left of a 3 before and Grant, who they signed from Rochdale this summer, can play as either a winger or a striker. The main problem for Blackpool will be the centre of their midfield since Basham, Ferguson and Osbourne are all defensive minded. It would be like us playing Perkins, Dawson and Etuhu. Even Angel, who may play, is not an attacking midfielder. It's certainly a good time to be playing Blackpool. As for us, I reckon because of the injuries to Cranie and Nyatanga we'll play 3-5-2 like in midweek. I don't think Flicker trusts McNulty or Kennedy to play alongside M'Voto in a central 2 and Hassell is obviously out of favour. Because of O'Brien impressive performance against Scunny I think he's likely to start at RWB again with Wiseman coming in for Cranie at centre half. Etuhu is still out so Perkins and Dawson will continue in the middle. Cywka and Scotland will be pushing for starts but I think Flicker will want to play Dagnall away from home because of his energy. ---------------Steele------------------ -----Wiseman M'Voto Kennedy----- O'Brien Dawson Perkins Golbourne ----------------Mellis------------------ -----------Dagnall O'Grady----------- I'm confident we'll be able get a result tomorrow. Our central three should be able to control the game against an immobile Blackpool midfield. I think the key will be stopping the service to Chopra and Davies because they're all capable of taking any chances we allow them. Golbourne should have some joy against an out of position Broadfoot and I'd like to see O'Brien playing higher up the field like he did against Scnuthorpe. We'll need to beware of leaving 3 on 3 at the back though. I think O'Grady will struggle to win much in the air against a very tall Blackpool defense so hopefully we'll get it down and play on a relaid Blackpool pitch. With some Blackpool fans predicting two poor teams playing out a 0-0 draw I reckon we can nick a 1-0 win. You Reds!
Good insight. However, fergusons still going to play. Last few times I've seen him ply he controlled the game without leaving the centre circle.
He's not getting any younger though. I think he could struggle against the Perkins' and Dawson's energy. I know. Comes from having nothing to do all week and just waiting to start work.
I don't think he's done much running about for years. Hopefully, without Ince and Phillips doing the running out wide for him it'll mean we can get on top of him.
