Oh, the frustration.

If, doubtful as it is, Chris Basham stumbles across this and gives it a read, then Chris, you have my sympathy. On his 2^nd start of the season at Southampton, he put in a fantastic, battling display, was arguably Blackpool’s Man of the Match, and the game started to slip away from Pool when he was withdrawn. None of that helped him, however, when it came to team selection for Watford, as he was dropped back to the bench in favour of LuaLua, as Ollie chose to go with the supposedly more attacking line-up.

As a long term supporter of Gary Taylor-Fletcher, defending him when out of form, smug when he plays to the peak of his undoubtedly massive ability, I was as surprised as any when I found myself leaving Bloomfield Road highlighting Taylor-Fletcher’s performance as a key in why Blackpool failed to break down what, in fairness, was a fantastic defensive display in the second half from the visitors.

The most disheartening thing about Taylor-Fletcher’s poor display was his, and in fairness, a number of other Blackpool player’s failure to put their body on the line to help the team’s cause. Far too often, when the ball dropped into an area between a Watford player and a Blackpool player, it was the man in white who was ready to put themselves into harm’s way to make sure they won the ball. Taylor-Fletcher was not the only one, and it would not be fair to point the finger solely at him, and those who did should apologise on Monday morning to those who did give everything they had at all times.

Two men on the pitch who both showed exactly what it means to put their bodies on the line were in either side’s back four. In Tangerine, Craig Cathcart showed that he is maturing into one of the best central defenders outside the Premier League. Strong, to hold off the physical presence of Troy Deeney, and pace to keep up with the rapid Marvin Sordell, Cathcart covered for the worryingly out of form Ian Evatt countless times, looked composed in possession, and displayed magnificent presence of mind to allow for superb distribution.

In the Watford back line, Nyron Nosworthy put in the type of display that Ian Evatt should watch back in his attempts to regain his form. He used his physical presence to bully Lomana LuaLua out of the game, showed deceptive speed across short distances to snuff out any worrying runs by Matt Phillips and Callum McManaman, and just when it looked as though Blackpool would overrun the visitors in the second half, Nosworthy covered his defensive teammates’ shortcomings to stand tall against the Blackpool steamroller.

Pool created all sorts of chances, ones that you would normally expect to be put away by those whom they fell to. Kevin Phillips was his usual anonymous self until the ball moved into the penalty area, where he came alive, only to head over from 6 yards, having been set up brilliantly by Matty Phillips, who put in his best performance of the season by far. Through the middle, he was lethal, as he played in the role that he occupied to great effect at Sheffield United, gathering the ball behind the main striker, and causing havoc in the Watford defence by running at pace, moving the ball between his feet, creating panic. It led to him hitting the post once, just as he had against Southampton, while his general link-up play between both himself and Eardley, and between him and the strikers, was massively improved.

A clean sheet at home, however, against a Watford side who, for all of their time wasting and delaying, which is understandable considering they are a side who are not far off the relegation places, visiting a side who are challenging for the playoffs, caused plenty of problems for Blackpool, is not something to be too disappointed about. Sordell’s pace caused problems when he moved the ball wide, giving Crainey a tough time, with Kightly on the overlap, who is a fantastic player at this level. Yeates on the other wing exposed Eardley’s slight naivety, who impressed going forward rather than backward as usual, and in the battle of two of the best goalkeepers in the division, it is perhaps unsurprising that neither side managed to find a way through.

It will no doubt go down as two points dropped for Blackpool, who missed two open goals, hit the post twice, and had one blocked from 6 yards, and Holloway will again have to face questions about his team selection and substitutions. Taking off midfielders and replacing them with strikers does not guarantee more chances. Loss of possession, which occurred when Sylvestre was withdrawn, who needs to cut out his back heels that put Blackpool into trouble more often than their opponents, means that the strikers that were brought on became ineffective. Tom Ince must wonder why on earth he has been dropped after two man of the match displays against Doncaster Rovers and Nottingham Forest, when the likes of Taylor-Fletcher and LuaLua continue to flatter to deceive, certainly the latter living off his fantastic display at Leeds. There are 9 days before the Seasiders make their Boxing Day trip to Barnsley, not a place famed as one where Blackpool gain three points, and while things look good, Blackpool’s need for a genuine central striker was shown once again.

Who'd be a goalkeeper?

Who would be a goalkeeper? You put in hours of training, preparation, dedication, all in the knowledge that you are competing for just one spot in the team with any other goalkeeper at the club. If you don’t get it, you’ll be consigned to the bench, only ever getting fleeting appearances against lower league opposition in the cup competitions that your manager isn’t taking seriously.

For these reasons, it is crucial that when you get your chance on the big stage, in front of the cameras, in an important league game due to an injury to the regular number 1, you take it. Bartosz Bialkowski made his first league appearance for Southampton this season when Blackpool were in town for the lunchtime kick off, so the game was his first opportunity to impress the Southampton fans and management in a pressured situation.

The biggest problem for all goalkeepers is that any mistake that is made is massively highlighted, as more often than not, it results in a goal for the opposition. Anywhere else on the pitch, a mistake can be covered by another of the 10 players, but as the last line of defence, the performance has to be flawless, or the chance you have been given will be taken away before you can blink.

Blackpool have been the beneficiaries of goalkeeping mistakes before this season, with Paul Rachubka’s 45 minute nightmare for Leeds helping them to their 5-0 win at Elland Road. They weren’t able to take advantage of every Bialkowski error, with Matt Phillips’ low cross eventually fumbled around the near post by the Polish keeper despite pressure from Chris Basham, and no-one was able to get on the end of his ridiculous block with the chest from Ludo Sylvestre’s 25 yard piledriver.

Indeed, was defensively where Blackpool were most impressive. Since the final whistle, Ian Holloway has admitted that Chris Basham’s inclusion was to combat Southampton’s playmaker-in-chief Adam Lallana, a job which the man making only his 4^th start for Blackpool since his million pound move from Bolton last summer did magnificently. Lallana was stifled to good effect, only getting any kind of time on the ball when dropping deep, as Blackpool kept their shape with Basham’s fellow midfielders Sylvestre and Barry Ferguson sitting deeper than accustomed to.

The slightly more defensive outlook from those two allowed Basham to roam forward more, which he showed he has an aptitude for, regularly causing problems as the extra man when Blackpool managed to work the ball into wide areas, which led to both goals. The first, a dynamic run from the ever improving Matty Phillips, feeding the ball wide to Callum McManaman, whose trickery and pinpoint cross picked out Basham at the back post, who beat the offside trap to nod in what was then the equaliser.

It was the goal that cancelled out the worst moment of the match as far as Blackpool were concerned. Poor communication between Gilks and Eardley, who received the ball facing his own goal, led to the right back losing possession. As soon as the pressing from the high line of Southampton arrived, Eardley had nowhere to go. Lallana poached it, as Guly cut off the return ball to Gilks, and Southampton showed patience as they worked it across the area, as Cork declined the chance to score, instead teeing up Lambert, who darted back inside the retreating Crainey, before his shot took a huge deflection off Cathcart and into the net, completely wrong footing Gilks.

It looked set to get worse before it got better for Blackpool, as they stood off Guly, allowing him to play a delicious chipped through ball between the static Evatt and Eardley, picking out Lambert, who was about to celebrate his second, only for Gilks to pull out a fantastic reaction save to tip it over. This passage of play where Blackpool on the verge of being swept away by the wave of Southampton attacks eventually ended with Basham’s equaliser, the midfielder himself looking as surprised as anyone.

The ten minutes between the Blackpool goal and half time was some of the most impressive football that Blackpool have played all season. The so called impenetrable Southampton midfield and defence were being breached regularly, as Blackpool’s one touch football and neat triangles found space for the wingers, as Matt Phillips nearly sent Pool in at half time level after his surging run led to a low 20 yard shot with smashed against the base of the post with Bialkowski beaten.

The message at the break had to be “More of the same.” Pool had dominated the last 10 minutes of the first half, and set up in the second half to do the same, and the wide areas led to their second, although there was a major slice of luck. McManaman cut inside, at pace, scaring the back four, and his run into the penalty area deserved better than the tame shot that it ended with. Thankfully, Bialkowski obliged by pulling off what can only be described as a “Taibi”.

The first hour was clear proof that Southampton are not untouchable at home. Blackpool pressed high up the pitch, caused problems in possession, strangled the play in midfield and gave the home side no time on the ball. They silenced the crowd, who were surprisingly quiet for a team that have won their last 20 at home, and only got interested when they could get angry at the referee.

The substitution that changed it, however, was the removal of Basham, who clearly lacked match fitness. He began to tire, Lallana began to find more space, and Basham had just been booked for a rash challenge, caused by being just behind play, most likely due to fatigue. The replacement, instead of the expected Martinez, who could continue where Basham left off to a lesser extent, was LuaLua. There was a sense of do or die about the change, Holloway saying that Blackpool will either get the third goal to clinch it, or concede the equaliser, and the latter is exactly what they did.

The manner of the goal that eventually arrived in the 93rd minute was very similar to a chance that Southampton had spurned moments before. An angled cross from the right, drifting away from Gilks, which Guly had headed over, this time floated over the back four to Lambert at the back post, where he had dropped off Eardley, who, along with Crainey, had been caught inside far too often throughout the game, for the big number 7 to nod past Gilks. Barry Ferguson, however, was the guilty man, failing to move out of the defensive position quickly enough, playing Lambert and Guly onside.

Despite late worries, including a magnificent Crainey challenge on De Ridder when the winger was away on the right with options square, Pool held on for the first away point taken from St Mary’s all season. It was, overall, a very pleasing performance. Basham showed there is life in the Blackpool midfield without Southern, who will have to work hard to regain his place upon his recovery. The back four needs strengthening. Even with Baptiste’s return soon, the way forward is for him to partner Cathcart in the centre, with a new right back. Eardley is dynamic going forward, but struggles defensively, and for the formation to work, it needs a full back on both sides who is strong going towards his own goal. We have been blessed with one in Crainey, we need another to partner him. Midfield looks strong, if not a little short on cover with the loss of Shelvey, and the addition of a striker to rotate the options up front will give Pool a strong squad to challenge.

Shelvey-Reds Confused Too.

To say that Blackpool were disappointed at the news that Jonjo Shelvey would be recalled by Liverpool after the injury to midfielder Lucas is an understatement. Shelvey was the Seasiders’ second top scorer this season, despite only playing from October onwards, with 6 goals in 10 games, including a 35 yard free kick on debut against Bristol City, and a memorable hatrick at Elland Road in an incredible 5-0 win. Disappointment, tinged with confusion, as the fans who watched him every week can clearly state that Shelvey is completely different kind of player, and not the kind who can slot into the role left by the Brazilian.

It seems that the confusion is shared with those on Merseyside, with Liverpool fan Al Cannon saying “It's difficult to see why Dalglish decided to recall Jonjo when he was making such quality progress at Blackpool and flourishing in an attacking role, simply to cover for Lucas who plays in a much more defensive role. I can only imagine that Shelvey must boast decent defensive qualities that haven't been tested as yet in the Premier League. The decision to recall him may appear to have been a necessary one now after Spearing's recent 3-match ban.”

As for Shelvey’s near future, it has been expected that Liverpool will sign midfield cover for Lucas in January, and Cannon believes Shelvey could be available again for the Seasiders should they do so. “I don't see why he shouldn't be allowed back to Blackpool if Liverpool do sign cover, he looked fantastic for Blackpool and it'd boost his confidence to continue there playing regularly, as opposed to temporarily rotting on the Liverpool bench. As for who we could bring in, Stilian Petrov is an experienced and assured midfield general who is the fulcrum in an inferior Aston Villa side, he could be tempted by a move. The Brazilian midfielder Jadson would be an interesting move, he has won many honours in Ukraine and could be persuaded to England for a new challenge”.

The obvious link between the two clubs is Liverpool’s current playmaker, and Blackpool’s former hero, Charlie Adam, who made the switch to Anfield in the summer after a year of impressing in Blackpool’s Premiership campaign, and when asked how the midfielder was getting on, Cannon was careful with his praise.

“Comparisons to Xabi Alonso are exaggerating his ability, although Adam was Blackpool's answer to Steven Gerrard prior to him moving to Merseyside. Adam has started his Anfield career brightly; however people are too quick to lavish praise on him at times when the passing that he's so renowned for can be a little inconsistent at times. Adam displays flashes of brilliance and has been a very useful addition to the Liverpool squad, and we will be able to give a more in-depth view later on in the season.”

It seems as though Adam will have to compete with Shelvey in the future for his place in the Liverpool side, with the Anfield club certainly seeing a big future for the unmistakable playmaker. “Liverpool are most effective when they play with Suarez upfront on his own with support either side of him and with a player in behind,” said Cannon. “I have no doubt that in the future Shelvey could fit in nicely into either of these roles with his attacking ability. I would personally be interested to see how he fares playing "in the hole" behind Suarez”.

For the season ahead, Cannon is optimistic, but realistic, knowing Liverpool don’t have to squad to compete with the main heavyweights. “If Liverpool continue to drop points against opposition that they should be taking three points then they will undoubtedly finish outside the top four, possibly 5th or 6th. 

"If Liverpool manage to get into a good stride and build a decent run of form through the festive period and beyond then it will be a tight battle for the top four between a number of clubs including the Merseysiders.” One thing is for sure, Shelvey has his work cut out getting the same game time at Anfield as he got at Bloomfield Road.

Troubling Times at Deepdale

The words “Grim Reaper” summons a clear and obvious image. A figure, in a hooded, black cloak, carrying a scythe in one hand, a roll of parchment in the other, bearing the names of the damned. Ask a football fan who they see when they hear those two words, and one man springs to mind. Former Leeds Utd, Barnsley, and Cardiff City chairman Peter Ridsdale has a list of clubs on the CV that he won’t want a reference from, so when he rocked up on the Deepdale doorstep at the request of owner Trevor Hemmings, you could be forgiven for adding Preston North End to the list of clubs who would soon be crying out for aid.

His work at Plymouth Argyle, however, gives hope to those of the Lilywhite persuasion. Saving the Pilgrims from certain doom, he kept the club afloat long enough to bring in new investment to see the club through what will surely be the worst of the Home Park club’s problems. When asked if Ridsdale can repeat the same feat at cash-strapped Preston, who have recently announced are losing £750k per month, season ticket holder Jacob Thompson has his doubts.

“He has already set his stall out to cut costs, which can be done. I'm just worried about the ability and size of the squad when all the better players and high earners go and we replace them all with kids if that is what happens. Hopefully the only way is up.”

Certainly Preston fans could rightly feel, as Thompson puts it, “Devastated”, when the news was first announced, and there seems to be a number of Preston fans who aren’t ready to give the new chairman a chance to allow things to improve.

“When they put a brief video announcing him as chairman on the big screen at half time against Chesterfield, the majority of fans booed him!” Thompson revealed, showing Preston fans are nearing the end of their patience with the financial side of the club after the slump in the last 18 months, but according to Thompson, the finances are not the reason that the Deepdale club are struggling.

“At the moment it isn't lack of investment letting us down. The squad we have is good enough to be top 6 or top 2! The likes of Hume and Coutts would walk into all sides in the division and probably at a higher level. It says it all when Darel Russell can't even get on the bench for us, but goes on loan to Charlton who are top and gets straight in the team, and is part of the team that ends Huddersfield Town’s 50 game unbeaten run.

“The main problem for us is poor management. Square pegs in round holes. We signed a left back who never plays. Our only left winger plays at left back. On left wing we have a player with no left foot! And Coutts, probably the best CM in the league is stuck out wide on the right while the likes of Alexander, Ashbee and Nicholson who are past it our played time after time in the middle after many poor performances.

“Brown keeps on playing good players out of position, and it is becoming frustrating for the fans. He brought in Nathan Doyle, a central midfielder, on loan from Barnsley and played him at right back even though he had two on the bench. Of the 5 permitted subs, he regularly has 3 defenders, leaving space for only one attacking player doesn’t allow us to change our game plan if things aren’t going well.  We have a batch ofpromising youngsters like Adam Barton, George Miller, and Bailey Wright to mention a few, and they haven’t been given an opportunity, despite the fact that they play in the positions that we have been struggling in all season”.

If this is to be believed, it is not the boardroom where the main problem is. Preston’s problems lie firmly on the pitch for the moment, with the manager looking like the fans’ main cause for concern. With the large number of solid managers, known for getting the job done on a small budget currently available at this level, could Phil Brown’s days at the helm of Deepdale be numbered?

The enigma of Matt Phillips

There haven’t been many players in Blackpool colours recently who have split the fans opinion quite as much as Matthew Phillips. Most players normally divide the fans when they have left the club, with the likes of DJ Campbell creating hostility amongst the ranks of Blackpool supporters as to whether or not he will be looked on favourably for his efforts in Tangerine, or anger with regards to the manner of his departure. For others, read Peter Clarke, Wes Hoolahan, Kaspars Gorkss, Charlie Adam.

For Phillips, however, the fans debate seems to be squarely aimed at whether or not he should be given the run in the first eleven that Ian Holloway is giving him. Certainly, during his loan spell at Sheffield United, which yielded 5 goals in 6 games, including a brace in a 4-2 win at Deepdale, the Tangerine masses were questioning why Phillips was being allowed to ply his trade elsewhere while his parent club were struggling for results.

Phillips, along with Billy Clarke, returned filled with confidence, but also with heightened expectations from those who looked purely at the stats. He started brightly, setting up Jonjo Shelvey’s late equaliser at Middlesbrough in his first appearance back in a Blackpool shirt. He has since started every game, and only a fool wouldn’t realise that Phillips is slowly readjusting to the system that should suit him down to the ground.

Those who agree with Holloway and think he should remain in the starting eleven will say that at times he is unplayable. He caused mountains of problems for the best defence in the country when Blackpool visited Manchester City last season, almost earned a point single-handedly in the controversial defeat at Aston Villa, turned the game at Sunderland in Blackpool’s favour with a series of jinking runs, and who can forget his magnificent goal with his first touch on debut against Blackburn Rovers.

But there is a counter-argument, which is played out regularly among the fans, which says that those flashes of brilliance have to be complimented with consistent displays, and when not playing well, still contributing to the team. However, in the first half of the season, while Phillips has been at Bloomfield Road, he hasn’t produced. Being too occupied with defensive work to become an attacking threat, almost scared to run with the ball, and when in on goal, can be counted on to fluff his lines.

There is, however, cause for hope. Phillips is undoubtedly one of the best prospects outside the top division, and there is no doubt that if he does fulfil his clear and massive potential, then international honours will be a part of Phillips career. He needs to improve his end product. Far too often his final ball isn’t good enough, and when given the chance to score, he will tend to either try and leave it to someone else, or make a complete mess of the chance.

Great things can be expected of Phillips between now and the end of the season, and even beyond then, as he is showing signs that he is beginning to settle back into the side at Bloomfield Road. Against Reading at the weekend, he used his pace to good effect, giving aging full back Ian Harte a tough time, albeit not as tough as he could in the first half, before being switched to a more central role in the second half, closer to the position he played at Sheffield United, which allowed him to get on the ball and cause mischief.

It was that mischief that led to the Seasiders’ winning goal on Saturday. Phillips gathered possession just outside the centre circle in his own half, made himself some space to run at the Reading back four. Shaun Cummings backed off, allowing Phillips to move towards the edge of the penalty area, despite anger from Phillips’ critics for not releasing Callum McManaman, waited, before playing in McManaman in for the on-loan striker to score.

Phillips is learning, and is growing in confidence, which is something that he clearly thrives on. The experiment of turning him in to a wingback last season did not work, although it has given him a defensive perspective which helps Neal Eardley with his job, allowing him to drive on down the line, knowing that Phillips is quick enough and good enough to cover him. To get the best out of him, it seems, you have to allow him to stand out wide, feed him possession and let him terrorise his full back. During games in the Premiership last season, he hugged the touchline and caused problems cutting inside. This season, Holloway seems to be giving him more responsibility on the pitch, and it could well be taking away from his natural game.