Scorers: /
H.T: 0-0
K.O: 3.00 Saturday 19/01/2019
Attendance: 3,186 (516)
Referee: James Linington
Shrews manager: Sam Rickets
Stadium: Bloomfield Road
Form: LLW - DLW
Teams:
Blackpool XI: Mafoumbi, Daniels, Heneghan, Tilt, Bola, Spearing, Guy (Pritchard), Thompson, Feeney (Nottingham), Long (O'Sullivan), Gnanduillet
Subs not used: Boney, Anderton, Kirby, Delfouneso
Shrewsbury XI: Arnold, Bolton, Beckles, Waterfall, Sadler, Haynes, Norburn, Grant, Docherty, Laurent (Gilliead), Okenabihirhie (Smith)
Subs not used: Charles-Cook, Sears, Eisa, Amadi-Holloway, Angol
Match Events:
Shrewsbury started well, with the majority of the play taking place in their half and Laurent almost being sent straight through, if it wasn't for a great recovery from Heneghan. But Shrewsbury certainly were the better side as more openings would materialise. In the 6th minute Okenhbirhie would find space in the box and lash wide with his left foot. Shrewsbury were physical and making it tough for Blackpool and should have taken the lead when the ball was pulled back to Laurent who scuffed his shot from a prime position.
The best of the chances came in the 23rd minute though, when Laurent would charge in on goal once more and fire his effort narrowly past the post.
In all honesty though, this match was yet to provide much entertainment, and there would barely be another chance to report on in the first half. Possibly the most excitement that came about was the incident between Grant and Feeney, that nobody seemed to notice and perhaps a couple of extra time Shrewsbury corners.
Blackpool came out in the second half with a greater intent as Thompson would crash an early half volley narrowly wide. But Shrewsbury were an inspired side and would have another opportunity when Blackpool gave the ball away, only for Heneghan to get his body in the way. Then, continuing their threatening spell, Shrewsbury would almost be aided by a deflection when a Norburn strike narrowly missed. Blackpool were looking off colour when even Jay Spearing cheaply gave the ball away. Laurent was closed down quickly however and it resulted in a comfortable Mafoumbi save.
But Blackpool would crank up the pressure and begin to get going for the last half hour. In the 66th minute Gnanduillet would head over from point blank range as the ball was lifted into him, a chance in which he just could not climb high enough.
The biggest let off for Shrewsbury however was when Gnanduillet fed Long. The striker latched onto it well and unleashed a rasping drive that would bounce out from the underside of the crossbar. Blackpool were trying everything. Long throws, long balls and dangerous dribbles, all to no avail.
This was a match that had 0-0 written all over it from minute one and so it would be. Blackpool need as many points as they can get and this was not the follow up from last week that was required.
Player Ratings:
Mafoumbi 7 - Its another clean sheet for him, but had very little to do.
Daniels 6 - lacking the creativity going forward, like many of the Pool players.
Heneghan 8 - Made a couple of heroic blocks to earn the clean sheet.
Tilt 8 - Very good on his return, but surely they should have made space for Anderton to slot in.
Bola 8 - Very good and reliable
Spearing 7 - good from him once more, but not at his best.
Guy 6 - Played well, but couldn't do anything in the final third
Pritchard 6 - looked bright when he came on.
Thompson 7 - Showed much passion, but couldn't split the defence
Feeney 5 - Despite picking up the ball in attacking areas, he could not make it count.
Nottingham 6 - added height when he came on and added the option of the long throw.
Long 7 - deserved a goal when he hit the bar, but does not have the prowess of Gnanduillet
O'Sullivan 5 - barely touched it when he came on.
Gnanduillet 5 - should have scored with the close range header and cut a frustrated figure.
In addition:
Blackpool should have played Anderton and whether that meant playing 5 at the back, so be it. The 5 at the back formation worked very well earlier in the season and it could easily be reintroduced to make Blackpool more threatening going forward because this is becoming a serious problem.
Blackpool created very little. The Seasiders had just 5 shots all game and not one was on target. In a game in which they had 58% possesion, that is truly abysmal.
Shrewsbury stuck to their game plan. The Shrews were more than happy with a draw and were physical throughout. Blackpool looked tentative at times and could not find a way though the countless bodies Shrewsbury had back.
UTP