7.45 Tuesday 05/03/2019
As Blackpool's season slowly begins to disintegrate, a trip to Accrington Stanley presents a huge opportunity to get the season back on track. Two losses on the spin against lowly opposition is far from the playoff push required and former defensive pride is also subsiding. This will forever be a season to remember, but to make it even better getting a result against Accrington is imperative.
Injuries and Suspensions:
For Accrington Jonny Maxted, who missed the Coventry match, is doubtful.
Ross Sykes is certain to miss through a groin injury.
Jimmy Ryan and Max Clayton remain as the long term absentees for Blackpool.
Marc Bola will be assessed, but Callum Guy is still out.
Accrington Stanley
The History:
Founded just 50 years ago following the collapse of the original Accrington Stanley, Stanley are also known as 'The club that wouldn't die'. They returned to the Football League after two quick promotions, first from the the Northern Premier League in the 2002/03 season and the from the National League 3 years later, both times achieving a first place finish. The club spent over 10 seasons in League 2, but were eventually promoted last season, as they ran away with the League Two title. Accrington play their home football at the Crown Ground, currently called the Wham Stadium, which has a capacity of 5,450; there is talk however of a move away in the coming seasons.
The Manager:
John Coleman has had two successful spells at Accrington Stanley as manager. As a player, Coleman predominantly played non-league football. He scored over 500 goals over his 20 year career as a striker and his final club, Ashton United, would appoint him as their manager following his retirement in 1997. It was from United that he took over at Stanley for the first time, guiding them into the football league and simultaneously becoming the club's longest serving manager. He left for Rochdale in 2012, but failed to recreate his previous successes. He would have a further two jobs before returning to Stanley at Southport, where he was for 3 years as a player, and Sligo Rovers. After rejoining in 2014, he gained promotion to League 1 last season. With over 1000 matches as a manager in total, Coleman is not short of experience and has led the club to 14th position at this stage.
Star men:
Billy Kee: The 28 year old Northern Irishman has been at Accrington since the summer of 2015 and played a central role in last season's promotion. He scored 25 goals last season and gave 9 assists in the league, in what was a fruitful year for him and the club. This season he has 12 goals in all competitions, but has played almost all of the league matches so far and his tiresome attitude provides a considerable problem for Blackpool to deal with.
Mark Hughes: Centre back Mark Hughes has been ever present for Stanley this year. The experienced 32 year old has played for a number of clubs in the football league, predominantly Northampton, Morecambe and Bury. He has played over 150 times for Accrington and is one of the first names down on the team sheet for Coleman.
Jordan Clark: The winger is another player who Coleman has been very loyal to so far. The 25 year old has scored 8 times and provided 7 assists this term and has played 139 times for Stanley in total. He can play on both wings and has an eye for a pass and is currently having one of his best seasons in a Stanley shirt.
Stats:
Just one win in their last 10 has seen Accrington quickly drop down the table, having initially been in the hunt for promotion. They are very much a confidence team, as proven by the fact that early in the season they went 10 matches unbeaten, but form since has left them somewhere approaching mid-table. That is not to be scoffed at through, especially for a side that was only promoted last season, and they are as good as safe, the primary aim for a newly promoted side.
Accrington, similarly to Blackpool, are not scoring enough goals, with 1.03 on average. To gainsay this though, Accrington have also been held back by conceding too many goals, although a 1.33 mean is around average for League One.
Prediction: 1-1
Blackpool need to get a result if they are to stay in and around those Playoffs, but their last two performances will leave them short on confidence. Accrington are becoming a mid-table team this year though, and do not really have anything to fight for, so Blackpool should get at least one point. I say this in with the assumption that the Blackpool players have not been told a 12 point deduction is on the horizon. If this is the case Blackpool too will lack motivation and you have to worry for them.
Last Meeting:
League Table:
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