Why Are Blackpool Struggling So Much On The Road?

Blackpool suffered another defeat on the road in their Sky Bet League One fixture against Wycombe Wanderers last weekend, stretching their winless run away from home to 3 games in the league, following a loss at Lincoln and a 0-0 draw against Exeter.

As even as the stats looked against Wycombe, I analyse why Blackpool’s game plan is not working away from home, and what Neil Critchley needs to do to help solve Blackpool‘s issues away from home.

Lack Of Pressing

Last time Neil Critchley managed Blackpool, he won the fans over with his fast-paced style of play, and his persistent closing down of the opposition defence.

It was a system that won him promotion from League One, and the constant pressing caused countless teams problems, and forced many goals in Blackpool’s favour.

So, is this press still existent now Critchley has returned? In a word, no, but the answer is more complicated than that. Jerry Yates was a key player in Critchley’s system last time, with his tireless efforts resulting in him being the key presser.

Since his departure, this job has been given to Shayne Lavery. Whilst he too is a fan of closing down the opposition defence, fitness-wise, he cannot do so for a full 90 minutes week in week out.

To make things even more difficult for Critchley, summer signing Kyle Joseph, who was brought in to replace Jerry Yates, has been injured since joining the club, and Shayne Lavery also picked up a knock against Lincoln, which has seen him unavailable.

With Lavery injured, the only strikers left at the club are 6’1 Jake Beesley, and 6’1 Jordan Rhodes, both of which are rarely expected to press.

This has resulted in Blackpool’s pressing play being near non-existent, often relying on the midfielders to come forward to try and catch the opposition out, something which, as of yet, has failed to work.

When Lavery and Joseph return from injury, we could see that pressing style of play return, and it would certainly benefit Blackpool on the road, but until then, it could be more of the same.

So whilst this has been a massive issue for Blackpool, there is no way around it. They have lost key personnel that made the system work so well last time, and injuries have not been kind so far.

Lack Of Shape After Losing Possession

Another aspect Critchley was so good at last time around at Blackpool, was keeping solid after a turnover.

When losing possession, Blackpool’s players knew where they needed to be, who they were marking, what shape to be in, how and when to press, and most importantly, when to commit to a challenge.

It was something that worked so well, especially in the latter stages of their League One campaign, and even in their first season back in The Championship, with their 1-0 win over Fulham springing to mind.

Yet this season, this too seems non-existent. After losing possession, players such as CJ Hamilton often find themself out of position, leaving their wing exposed, and the midfielders are either too deep or too high up the pitch.

Often this season, one pass is all it has taken to bypass Blackpool’s midfield, and get the opposing team on the counter attack.

This in part, is to do with the formation. Critchley has changed from his usual 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2 in attack, 5-3-2 in defence, deploying CJ Hamilton, an attacking winger, in the defensive role of wing back.

Even with 3 midfielders, the balance is not right. Albie Morgan and Ollie Norburn are often free-roaming, and are never sat in a fixed position, meaning some quick thinking from the opposition team during a turnover takes them completely out of the game.

Away from home, when the home side is wanting to win every game and constantly get on the front foot, this is a dangerous game to play. The midfield needs to be solid and know what position they should be in.

This is why Critchley had so much joy with his 4-4-2 formation last time Blackpool were in League One. One midfielder sat, whilst the other pushed up slightly higher, so if a turnover did occur, there was another man there to help defend.

With his 4-4-2, the full backs were always in position, leaving no wing free, and these full backs were more than capable in a one-on-one situation. This season, those players are not at his disposal, which is why they are struggling in these situations.

Lack Of Creativity Going Forward

Before the game against Wycombe, Blackpool played Wigan at home. Critchley set his side up in a 4-4-2 formation when going forward, and it was, by far, Blackpool’s best performance of the season.

The wide men were effective going forward, CJ Hamilton had his best game in a Blackpool shirt, and the midfielders looked capable of creating something every time they went forward.

Against Wycombe, Critchley reverted back to that 3-5-2/5-3-2 that has seen his side struggle so many times this season.

This formation restricts CJ Hamilton from staying forward, which is where he is more effective, as he has defensive duties to worry about, and despite there being an extra man in midfield, it slows the play down, and the midfielders rarely get forward to create chances.

Blackpool have been guilty of playing the long ball when in this formation, and that is something that has not worked well this season, and the supporters are already tired of seeing it.

Team selection also comes into this. Andy Lyons is an out-and-out wingback that would suit a back 5 perfectly, playing either on the left or the right side. The Irishman even managed 4 goals in 17 appearances in The Championship last season.

Yet Lyons is a consistent member of the bench, similar to Dom Thompson, another player who suits a back 5 perfectly, often featuring as the left-sided wing back for Brentford and Blackpool.

It is a strange decision to leave two players on the bench, who suit a manager's system perfectly and have performed so well in the past, especially when the team is struggling to create chances.

It is not just players not being picked that has caused the lack of creativity. The style of play has caused Blackpool to be almost toothless away from home.

Critchley is trying to play possession football, but currently his side moves the ball far too slowly. Too many times has the central defender held onto the ball for 10-15 seconds before launching it up to Beesley or Rhodes, completely bypassing the midfield.

Even when Blackpool do manage to work the ball into the midfielders, it often gets passed straight back to the defence, or even Grimshaw in goal. The lack of belief, or desire, to get forward, and pass forwards, is hindering The Seasiders.

What Needs To Be Done?

First of all, there needs to be a change in formation. This is Blackpool’s biggest issue at the moment. They do not have the right kind of players on the pitch to be playing a 3-5-2/5-3-2 formation.

Critchley needs to revert back to that 4-4-2 that served him so well during his last stint at the club, and worked so well against Wigan this season.

A 4-4-2 formation would allow players like CJ Hamilton to stay forward, and not focus too much on the defensive side of the game, meaning he can work the ball into the box for Rhodes and Beesley.

It also means that Thompson and Lyons could come in at those full back positions, and provide extra options going forward on the overlap, or underlap.

The midfield issue would resolve itself, as Critchley would have Norburn or Kenny Dougall sit deep and dictate the play, whilst Morgan, or Carey or any other midfielder at his disposal, would have the license to roam forwards and make an impact further up the pitch.

Critchley also needs to get rid of his obsession with a possession based style of play. Blackpool have never been a team who have had the ability to slowly break a team down. They have always relied on counter attacks, or fast attacking build up.

This season is no different. There is no longer a player like Josh Bowler at the club who could run down the wing and take 2 or 3 players on. There is no Jerry Yates who could help in build up play and bring others into the game.

Blackpool need to lean into their strengths here, and that would be to work the ball from midfield, to either of the wingers, and then work the ball into the box for either Beesley or Rhodes to score.

When Blackpool get Lavery and Joseph back from injury, that style of play could change, or it could work even better with these players in that system.

If Critchley sticks with the negative 3-5-2, then promotion back to The Championship could slip away very quickly. Blackpool need to be more adventurous going forward away from home, and they need to be more solid in the middle, and I believe a formation, and slightly personnel, change could help them solve that.