Blackpool have had time a plenty to digest that 13 game unbeaten run ending defeat to West Bromwich Albion Under 21's in what else, but the Checkatrade Trophy. Their first free Saturday of the season as 'crucial' and described the preceding schedule as 'relentless'. Blackpool have dropped to 14th in the table, but with games in hand, it is a very healthy position to be in, especially with the proliferation of issues behind the scenes.
Blackpool were lambasted by the papers following their defeat in the Checkatrade Trophy, but will hope to put things right against strugglers Wimbledon, but first, what has been going on at the Seaside?
The last week and a half
Steven Davies Returns - Full Story on the link
https://theblackpoolblog.wixsite.com/theblackpoolblog/home/welcome-back-steven-davies
Jordan Thompson's Northern-Irish adventure
Thompson played a major role in helping Northern Ireland Under 21's on their way to a slender 1-0 victory over Slovakia, but despite doing all they could it would prove to ultimately be in vein. Despite their triumph in Belfast, it was Portugal who would push aside the Northern Irish to claim that final play-off spot as they saw off Bosnia and Herzegovina.
An excellent experience for Thompson, just a shame that it failed to amount to what it so easily could have.
New Director at Blackpool FC - Article by Matt Scrafton for the Gazette
https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/new-director-appointed-to-owen-oyston-s-company-that-owns-majority-of-shares-in-blackpool-fc-1-9402419
AFC Wimbledon
20th in League One, 11 points and a manager, Neal Ardley, who is on the verge of being sacked, which begs the question, if the Seasiders were to win, could it be the final straw for Ardley and his time in Surrey. It has been a cumbersome, struggling start to the season, but this is an unpredictable League and anything could happen on Saturday. Nevertheless, the game could also be seen as a springboard, aiding in Blackpool's challenge of turning draws into wins.
The situation is classic for a club towards the bottom, they are not scoring enough and shipping too many at the other end. They have won just 23% of matches because of this, scoring 0.77 goals per game and conceding 1.38. Having also lost 4 out of the last 5, it is clear why the fans are calling for Ardley to have the boot taken to him.
Blackpool will hope to come back strong, but we have to remember, these players will be fighting to keep the manager at the club and for the club maintaining their League One status.
Website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFC_Wimbledon
Stats and Squad: https://footystats.org/clubs/england/afc-wimbledon
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AFCWimbledon?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Last Meeting:
Prediction - 3-1
McPhillips Preview -
UTP