The Blackpool FC supporter has had to develop a sense of humour over the last few seasons. The supporter we picked up this evening opened with, ‘Was hoping you might have forgotten.’ This was my first trip to Bloomfield Road for a couple of seasons and there have been five managers since then, including current incumbent Neil McDonald. We were there in plenty of time to soak up the pre-match atmosphere. Around five hundred Burton fans were already in place in the North Stand, a new home for away fans, and making themselves heard. The East Stand, erected for the Premier League, was now empty aside from the press box in the middle and small clusters of security. Amongst the Blackpool fans, the atmosphere was low-key. The pitch looked much improved from my last visit with the relayed section, a result of the Neil Diamond concert eleven days before the first home game, bedding in well.
Blackpool FC still searching for first win
Burton players huddled close before kick off and applied early pressure. My neighbour made a number of succinct one-liners…’defence let ’em down Sat’day’…’like the look of’im’. Blackpool’s inexperienced side held firm and began to catch the eye going forward, a nippy front line causing problems for the Burton defence and prompting another comment from my next door neighbour, ‘better than t’weekend already’. Jack Redshaw converted pressure into a lead on 24 minutes and ‘Glad All Over’ boomed out from an exultant crowd. This was heady stuff, Potts forcing a good save from the Burton keeper soon after, and the enthusiasm was cascading down the stands.
At half time I renewed acquaintance with a face from the past who advised caution,’This is what they did at Colchester in the first half but didn’t keep it going.’ Prophetic words indeed as Burton applied pressure immediately after the break. They have never played at the third level of English football. Manager, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, has brought in young players and mixed them with some familiar names. After a glittering playing career, Hasselbaink has made a fine start to management, completing the job started by current Birmingham City manager, Gary Rowett. That job being to get Burton promoted to League One. They came up as champions and are used to success, with only eight defeats along the way. Their work-rate and persistence paid off with a 58th minute equaliser as dangerous Dutch player, El Khayati, stroked a right foot shot inside the far post.
Blackpool, so inventive before the break, were feeding off scraps now. Energy appeared to be draining away. The main threat came from Henry Cameron down the right. ‘They are going to score, you can see it coming, you can write the script’ came a comment from nearby. And they did. El Khayati’s free kick was superbly struck and went in via the underside of the crossbar. Five minutes plus added time remained and it was a step too far for the Seasiders. McDonald is still looking for new faces before the transfer window closes. Experienced hands are needed to steer the exuberant younger talents. There are positives. Despite defeat, the defence was sound and the interplay going forward in the first half can only improve as the players get to know each other better. This is a new team but they need to experience that winning feeling soon.
Main photo via getty images.
