Blackpool 3 - 1 Nottingham Forest
So much for what I said last week about being patient if it didn't happen for us today. We expected the changes and we certainly got 'em, but of course BD psycobabble dictates that none of his squad are 'fringe players'. If that's the case, then that ought to make the competition for places that much more intense, however those who needed to prove themselves today met with considerably mixed fortune.
Today's fixture represented something of a personal dilemma: I have been quietly hoping for Blackpool to sneak into the playoffs at the expense of either Swansea or Leicester, needless to say that an away tie will be almost like a home from home game for me, although equally needless to say, that for Blackpool to achieve that should not be at our expense today, especially as only Blackpool stood between us and going a whole season without anyone doing the double over us.
We started brightly enough (good to see the rested McCleary and Ando greeting fans in North Stand as the game got underway), and for the first half hour made the best of a pitch which would really have shown Spurs and Pompey what it's like to play on a poor playing surface, though I suppose it was good preparation for us should we make it to Wembley in five weeks time. Unfortunately my view during this period was somewhat impaired due to a constant influx of latecomers making their way up the aisles next to my seat still some twenty minutes after kick-off, some of whom chose to hover just in front of me, and the stewards' ineptitude in failing to deal with it properly was plain to see. I could scarcely believe it's almost four years since I last visited this ground, when the away fans were consigned exclusively to the Gene Kelly (East) Stand which I remember from that rain-sodden August evening when we won comfortably. Now, with the opening of the new South Stand some lucky visiting fans can now enjoy the luxury of the North Stand which, despite being covered, today offered little shade and we baked under the spring sunshine.
One observation could be that ultimately this game turned out to be an away version of the robbery we endured back in September against this lot. Although we were creating good chances, particularly with Chris Cohen putting in some useful passes, the end product, as has become a recurring theme this season (especially away from home) was sadly missing. Adebola was usually the beneficiary of any creative play, but lacked either a sense of urgency or direction. The most significant chance however fell to Garner, which led to the incident which highlighted the one-eyed officialdom present today. Joe ran along the edge of the box before being clumsily hauled over by the cumbersome Baptiste. The screams from the North and West stands were loud enough to be heard from the top of Blackpool Tower, but referee Taylor decided against the appeal for a penalty.
That was bad enough, but a few minutes later, and totally against the run of play there was another penalty appeal - at the other end of the field, and yes, you guessed it, the referee bought it - presumably influenced by howls from the home fans in that corner. This involved Seamus Coleman threading the gap between Lynch and McGoldrick right on the edge of our box. There was little evidence of an attempt on McGoldrick's part to actually tackle, but Coleman made a dive so blatantly obvious you'd be almost expecting to see it on the next edition of Strictly Come Dancing. Appeals by Forest were predictably totally in vain, before Charlie Adam stepped up and sent a disgusted Lee Camp the wrong way.
What is it about Blackpool and penalty appeals? I seem to recall in the season in which we last beat this lot an extremely dodgy penalty being awarded for a similar incident involving the odious Wes Hooligan. Today was twice as blatant and my phone bleeped with messages of disbelief, as yet again we fell victim to a dodgy decision on which games like this turn.
This setback knocked us off our stride as the home side, heartened by their scabby and undeserved lead pressed forward, and it took an awesome tackle by Kelvin Wilson on DJ Campbell to stop Blackpool doubling their lead. At the other end though, further evidence of our fragile mentality away from home when Cohen's throw-in found Didsy who squared the ball to Adebola who really couldn't miss from just three yards. I can only assume some of the cloud formed by all this volcanic ash we've been having must have descended quickly at that moment as Adebola contrived to send the ball high over the bar. He really should have done better.
Ten minutes into the second half we went two down. Some good ball control by DJ Campbell as a high ball came back down gave him the opportunity to fire home from ten yards. It might have taken a slight deflection, but it was still a cracking goal, not that that's any consolation, as epitomised by four Forest defenders simultaneously collapsed to the ground in despair as the ball went in. The hapless Adebola, who looked altogether too casual throughout the hour he'd been on, together with Didsy were eventually replaced in favour of our preferred strike pair of Blackstock and Earnshaw who both received a thunderous welcome from the travelling support as they made their entrance.
The change gave us the shake-up we needed, and within five minutes fortune had swung back in our direction when a well-taken free kick by Cohen curled beautifully towards the right of the six-yard box where Garner was there to plant a header into bottom right hand corner to give us something of a lifeline, along with Joe's long-awaited first goal of the season.
The goal did indeed give us a timely boost, and with the arrival of Nathan Tyson gave us a strike force compliment of four, and we did at least apply some pressure, though once again the final ball let us down on numerous occasions, and there was still too much evidence of sideways passing when bearing down on the opposition box when a more direct approach was needed, something only Big Wes seems capable of at the moment.
And then for the second time in the afternoon Blackpool swung the momentum back in their favour when DJ Campbell - so obviously the livewire in Blackpool's attack - popped up once more to unleash an unstoppable volley to seal the points seven minutes from time, and also spark a tide of Forest supporters moving towards the exit having seen enough of yet another awayday defeat.
Granted, we had our moments today, and whether Garner being awarded that penalty would have changed the outcome or not we can only guess. Overall though, it was a frustrating afternoon for most of us, and certainly something to give food for thought as preparations for the playoffs continue. It is still hard to tell where the aspirations of the club really lie, especially given one or two attitudes looking a tad too casual for my liking. Ironic that we finally seem to have overcome the mental barriers to creativity, only for finishing to simply go out of the window, and I seem to recall painting an almost identical picture when I reported on the reverse fixture back in September. A few players appear to need reminding that it's goals that win matches and earn promotion, and that would seem to be the main thing which needs addressing in order to gain momentum as we go into the playoffs, and two league games remaining does not exactly equal ample time.
As for Blackpool? Well they achieved the dubious distinction of being the only club to do the league double over us this season (a good reflection on our resilience if nothing else), although the two penalty incidents left something of a sour taste in the mouth. Maybe the price they pay for that is the fact that Cardiff, Leicester and Swanse all won, leaving Blackpool no nearer to the playoffs as games run out.
Our own position at least remains unchanged, though a win next week at least will be vital to cement 3rd or 4th place and give us home advantage for the return leg, whoever we get. At this late stage there appears less and less between the likely participants, despite the varying fortunes we've had with them this time round, and I honestly couldn't say right now who I'd rather have or avoid.
Initial indications may become apparent next weekend, though due to family commitments will be unable to attend the Plymouth game, meaning that Lancashire Red coverage will resume for the great showdown wherever, whenever.
In the meantime, in the words of that great Journey classic, Don't Stop Believin'....
Ref Watch: A Taylor - A total homer and a complete imbecile. Fell for Coleman's dive hook line and sinker; and the yellow flag lino needs to refamiliarise himself with the offside rule.
Entertainment Value: Plenty of end-to-end football which ebbed and flowed, and we did appear to have the upper hand in midfield for long periods. 6/10
Atmosphere: Something of a see-saw environment today, dictated rather by fortunes on the field. The Forest contingent as usual gave it their all, and were only outsung in the minutes following the home side scoring.
Highlights: The first half hour was probably our best period, closely followed by the period immediately either side of Garner's goal, when we applied plenty of pressure.
Lowlights: There were plenty of these today, though not all attributed to what happened on the pitch: Extortionate car parking charges for anyone planning to stay over three hours, which will include the vast majority of visiting fans; the programme being one of those unwieldly 45rpm-size editions; being stuck behind persistent standing fans despite being allocated a sixth row seat (this is starting to bug me at away games); the usual lack of killer touch in front of goal, especially away from home.
Stinker: It was their chance to impress, they needed to impress, but Adebola and Lynch did anything but. It can't just be coincidence that our general form has been on a different level since Lynch was dropped after we last faced this lot, and on today's showing looks unlikely to feature prominently in the task that lies ahead.
Stormer: Chris Cohen was by far the hardest working Forest player, though Kelvin Wilson's tackling today was awesome.
Premiership Chump Of The Week: John Terry (again) whose second yellow may have cost Chelsea dear at White Hart Lane, especially with ManU having grabbed that scabby Fergie Time goal at Eastlands at lunchtime.
