August 2009 Review

Blackpool started the 2009-10 season full of optimism. The south stand was finally being built, a new enthusiastic manager had been appointed who seemed to be getting results from the chairman and Mr Belokon, the team had stopped training at the "hell-hole" at Squires Gate and things were looking up on the pitch too.


It became clear that Ian Holloway was not prepared to sign players just to boost numbers; they had to be significantly better than those we already had and make a real impact on the side. The arrivals of Charlie Adam and Neil Eardley signified the manager's approach along with Ishmel Demontagnac who arrived with a bit of a reputation.

The squad was still looking a bit thin on the ground though going into the opener away at QPR. A harder start could hardly be envisaged against the money bags of the division. A good following from the seaside packed into Loftus Road and, although it was not a great performance from the Pool, they came away with a creditable 1-1 draw. It could have been better as Burgess had given Blackpool the lead just before half time, a lead which lasted until three minutes from time when the Pool defence was undone by a freak goal. No Pool fans were arguing with the score though.

Onto Crewe in the League Cup where Blackpool surely had to do better than last season's humiliating 2-0 defeat to Macclesfield at the same stage of the competition. Blackpool rested most of the team that played at QPR and had signed former player Adam Nowland on a non-contractual basis. Nowland gave the Pool the lead with a well taken free kick and Nardiello sealed a 2-1 victory. Holloway showed that he has no time to sign players for past glories though and Nowland was released two days later.

The first home game followed on the Saturday against Cardiff and Derby were the visitors the following Tuesday. Both games ended in draws (1-1 and 0-0) respectively but the performances were very impressive and Blackpool did everything but find the net aside from Evatt's equaliser against Cardiff. The performances gave fans and management alike great cause for optimism and many were of the opinion that a goalscorer would give the team a real chance of a top half finish.

Blackpool travelled to Watford and finally found their scoring boots but could not find the winner in the fourth consecutive draw of the league season. Amongst the scorers in the 2-2 draw was Jay Emmanuel-Thomas signed on loan from the Arsenal academy.

The second round of the League Cup followed with the visit of Premier League Wigan. Blackpool made a dream start with a magnificent goal after three minutes from Demontagnac and found themselves 3-0 at half time. Demontagnac looked a real gem of a signing but sadly limped off in the second half with a hamstring injury that will keep him out for about six weeks. Wigan could not cope with Blackpool's style of play and grabbed an undeserved consolation with the last touch of the game to go down 4-1.

Despite the win against Wigan, Blackpool were desperate for a league victory and Coventry were the opponents at Bloomfield Rd for the final match of the month. Confidence was high going into the match and it was proven to not be misplaced as Blackpool ran out comfortable 3-0 winners in a match that saw the majority of the visiting supporters leave shortly after the hour mark.

Transfer deadline day was all that remained to round the month off and Blackpool secured the services of Al Bangura who had impressed on a non-contract basis in the Wigan match and Hameur Bouazza a player who commanded a transfer fee of £3.5m just two years ago. He really is the type of player we could only dream of signing even a year ago. He is a full international with Premier League experience, still young and has pace to burn.

It has been a mightily impressive start to the season that has lead some to even think of challenging for the play-offs but we must not get carried away just yet. The real test will be how we respond to our first defeat. For now we need to try to keep the unbeaten run going and see where it takes us. The next three games look very tough away to Leicester, home to top of the table Newcastle and away at Nottingham Forest. If we remain relatively unscathed from those three it will be a major achievement.

Holloway has really turned the mindset of the whole club around and the optimism remains going into the second month of the season.

Photos: Action Images / John Clifton Livepic © Action Images


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