Scorers: Graham (40')
H.T: 0-1
K.O: Saturday 3.00 23/02/2019
Attendance: 4,003
Referee: Andy Haines
Oxford manager: Karl Robinson
Stadium: Bloomfield Road
Changes in the table: Blackpool drop down to 9th as Oxford move out of the relegation zone.
Teams:
Blackpool XI: Howard, Daniels, Heneghan, Tilt, Anderton (Nottingham), Spearing, Turton, Pritchard, Evans (Thompson), Long (Dodoo), Gnanduillet
Subs not used: Mafoumbi, Shaw, Kirby, Delfouneso
Oxford XI: Eastwood, Garbutt, Dickie, Nelson, Ruffels, Mousinho, Graham (Kashi), Long, Sykes, Henry (Hanson), Sinclair (Smith)
Subs not used: Stevens, Carruthers, James, Lofthouse
Preview: https://theblackpoolblog.wixsite.com/theblackpoolblog/home/oxford-h-preview
Match Events:
The start of the match was scrappy and bitty, as both sides failed to get a foothold. Both sides may have been well organised, but were lacking the creativity to really break down each other. Blackpool were holding the majority of the possession and vented their frustrations through a long range effort. In the 11th minute Harry Pritchard saw his blocked looping shot picked up by Eastwood, but the play was gradually getting better from Blackpool.
Blackpool were causing Oxford plenty of problems. In the 17th minute Eastwood committed himself completely for a free-kick, but Blackpool could only profit with a corner. Blackpool would continue their pressure when Daniels cut in from the right two minutes later, blasting a powerful effort over the bar. That pressure would come to an abrupt end however and Oxford would begin to build something of their own.
On 28 minutes Dickie rose the highest to meet a free-kick and headed on the angle into the side netting. The warning signs were definitely there as Oxford would continue to press Blackpool. Sykes would have two long range efforts in quick succession as Blackpool stood off; shots that on both occasions Howard was equal to, despite the second threatening to deflect beyond him.
So the goal would come and, quite predictably, it was from a set piece. Blackpool had seemed panicky all game, could not deal with the long ball and were diving into challenges. Spearing caught his man late to give away a free-kick and Graham swiftly had the ball over the wall and into the net on 40 minutes. Blackpool found themselves behind and you could not say it was not merited. Blackpool failed to carve any proper chances out in the remaining minutes of the first half; the best being when Long turned and fired over from very long distance.
2nd Half:
Blackpool started the half brightly, seeing a couple of shots blocked and a couple of crosses appearing threatening. Their first real chance came 53 minutes in however, when Josh Ruffels took the ball way from Gnanduillet, who was awaiting the at the back post. There were plenty of these sort of chances in the second half as with a free-kick in the 57th minute another chance would dissipate, as Tilt headed over a Pritchard free-kick. Another set piece would be wasted by Blackpool minutes later when Anderton headed over via a deflection.
The chances were accumulating and time was beginning to become the Seasiders' enemy. In the 62nd minute Gnanduillet would fire across the six yard box and not find a tangerine shirt and a couple more corners would also be wasted. Oxford were well organised and frustrating Blackpool. They looked far from a side that had not won away from home all season.
In the 72nd minute a mistake almost let Jordan Thompson in, but the midfielder could not quickly poke the ball beyond the onrushing Eastwood.
It looked increasingly unlikely that Blackpool would find even one goal. Oxford even almost extended their advantage, Garbutt got a clear sight of goal, but his right footed shot was too close to Howard to cause problems 15 minutes from time.
Blackpool threw everything at the match in the remaining minutes. In the 76th minute a well hit Dodoo drive was pushed around the post but the clearest chance came in the 89th minute. Gnanduillet would cushion the ball into the path of Thompson who this time, with time to pick his spot, sliced high and over the bar.
Blackpool just couldn't get that equaliser and did not seem as lively as they have recently. Their unbeaten run comes to an end and this result makes their playoff push an uphill struggle.
Player Ratings:
Howard 7 - Made a couple of smart saves and could not really do much about the goal.
Daniels 7 - Did well to get into a number of crossing positions, but the final product just was not there.
Heneghan 8 (Star Man) - Was very good throughout and was the most solid Blackpool player.
Tilt 7 - Struggled with a couple of long balls, but did not put in a bad shift.
Anderton 6 - You really do see the superiority of Bola in this position. Anderton was not bad, but going forward he is not the best.
Nottingham 6 - Had some degree of an impact, but not to the desired degree.
Spearing 6 - Gave away the free-kick for the goal and let a few loose passes go.
Turton 7 - Was tireless and believed Blackpool could get something until the last minute.
Pritchard 7 - Was very good on set pieces and it was quite miraculous how one didn't end up in the net.
Evans 5 - Was closed out and didn't control the match sitting just behind the strikers.
Thompson 5 - Had a couple of big chances when he came on and was not clinical enough.
Long 6 - He was caught offside on a few occasions but did not really get a chance to score.
Dodoo 6 - Almost squeezed in a drive late on, but that was about it.
Gnanduillet 6 - Long does not stick close enough to him and he did not make the most of the chances that were presented to him.
In Addition:
Oxford have completed the double over Blackpool. Blackpool are now 6 points short of the playoffs and give them two wins against Oxford, this would mean they would be right in the race. Blackpool need to beat these lesser teams if they are to get in the playoffs and performances, such as the one today, are just not going to cut it.
Blackpool lack creativity. It is not that Blackpool can not finish, it is that the midfielders are not linking with the strikers efficiently. Blackpool have resorted to a long ball recently and it has led to countless turn overs in possession. The Blackpool strikers need better service and this is just not happening.
Why was Kirby dropped? He stood out against Charlton and his quick feet and passing range were fantastic for Blackpool. To then drop him, if he is fit, seems quite strange. Evans failed to bring the quality needed and Blackpool could not create many openings at all.