Blackpool slumped to their second loss of the season to a clinical MK Dons after another disappointing performance. Blackpool, although dominant in possession, were deservedly beaten by a more creative and solid MK Dons side on a forgettable afternoon for The Seasiders.
Blackpool, after looking promising early on, got off to the worst possible start in the match. They simply could not get the ball clear in the 5th minute after MK Dons played a smart corner. Martin was on hand to capitalise, smashing into the roof of the net and sending Pool down instantly and leaving them with it all to do.
In the 11th minute another corner was almost Blackpool’s undoing, as Edwards failed to win the initial header. They would survive this time though, as the best the Dons could muster was a weak effort that trickled wide.
In the 15th minute it was Blackpool that would almost make the most of a corner, in a scrappy start. Gnanduillet met the Kaikai cross, but the effort dropped just the wrong side of the post.
Blackpool were beginning to show some quality though as they attempted to break down the resolute Dons defence. In the 25th minute Kaikai found a pocket of space and got a quick shot off, but could only drill wide from the edge of the box. Just minutes later a dangerous Thompson cross only narrowly eluded both Nuttall and then Gnanduillet. Pressure was building but Blackpool would go in at the break behind.
2nd Half:
MK Dons were giving Blackpool very little time on the ball as the second half began and it took 10 minutes for Blackpool to create a chance of note. Thompson was given both time and space as he lined up his shot, but Nicholls was equal to the rasping drive.
This seemed to spark Blackpool into life somewhat, as another chance would come their way seconds late. Gnanduillet turned and shot low after collecting a Feeney cross, but his effort was deflected away. Once again Blackpool were sustaining some pressure.
All this pressure was to be undone in an instant however, as Curtis Tilt made a rare error which would prove catastrophic. Houghton picked up the ball and, with time to compose himself, slip the ball beyond a helpless Alnwick. Blackpool found themselves once again in a mess of mass proportion.
The flow of the match would not change however, as Blackpool got ever closer to their own breakthrough. First in the 70th minute, an excellent Spearing pass found Scannell who saw his low effort on the angle saved well. Blackpool would go even closer once again, as moments later Heneghan would skim the bar after rising highest to meet a searching cross.
Again though, Blackpool did not score when they were on top and conceded a crushing third amongst some woeful defending. The result was simple however, an unmarked Kasumu slotted past Alnwick as The Seasiders crumbled all around him.
Blackpool unsurprisingly looked dejected at the end and could have lost by even more had Nyambe not found the post when he burst through the Blackpool back lines. They now are without a win in 5 League matches and it is clear changes need to be made.
Liam Feeney was still impressive today and worked tirelessly down the right, but he cannot be the only creative outlet. When Blackpool attack down his flank he is often left unsupported and is forced to provide hopeful balls into the box. Indeed, this can work on occasion, but he does not have an alternative.
Down the left however the situation is worse still, with Husband being the main source of creativity. Defensively he may be competent, but going forward he lacks the class of Feeney. He too is often forced into needless crosses that evade their targets more often than not. The loss of Bola and his importance is becoming more evident as this season progresses.
The Blackpool strike force is also worrying, as it is clear the Nuttall and Gnanduillet combination is not working. They are two players with a similar skill base and stature, but fail to work as a pairing. Nuttall honestly has the capability to be quality, but in the current system he looks to be struggling. Gnanduillet too is struggling, especially today, but his presence in the side is always going to cause issues. I felt the dynamic between Hardie and Gnanduillet worked much better, with a pacy clinical striker such as Hardie playing off Gnanduillet likely to prove a much superior system.
Defensively today was irrefutably an utter shambles. The back 5 may seem to add security, but it allows teams to take a more direct approach and lacks balance. Blackpool’s weakness, in my opinion, is not their defence though, but their lack of cover in midfield due to having three central defenders. MK Dons were able to bypass the midfield with relative ease and directly attack the heart of the Blackpool defence.
The back five system also forces Husband into that wingback role that I believe does not suit his game. Blackpool should therefore revert back to 4 in defence, not only adding more competition for those positions, but providing a defence that understands its roles.
As for Tilt’s mistake, it was very similar to what happened at Portsmouth. For Grayson to take him off however was disappointing as without Tilt, a left footed centre back who provides balance to the back five, Blackpool are defensively weak, as proven last season when Tilt was missing. Tilt is not a player who makes mistakes often, but however mentally tough he is, this will really do damage to his confidence. His performance was otherwise largely faultless, but one mistake did cost Blackpool the match.
Blackpool have to get back to winning ways on Tuesday, but to do this against a form Doncaster side is realistically an extremely tall order.