18 year old Arsenal goalkeeper, Danny Spence has agreed terms with Blackpool and will make the move to The Tangerines on the 9th June. The young goalie has been in good form on loan at Wycombe since joining there last month. He already has 4 youth caps for England and looks like he is going to be one for the future, and could Blackpool's top goalkeeper in a few seasons time but he will have tough work having to compete with top class goalkeepers, Wilfredo Caballero and David Ospina. Blackpool will pay ?1M over 48 months for Spence. In other news, Blackpool will face Stuttgart at home this week in the first knockout round of the EURO Cup, Blackpool going in as slight favourites.
It was a much anticipated match between Blackpool and Stuttgart, both progressing from their respective groups. Blackpool would start as minor favourites with the home field advantage, but would be missing Mikael Dorsin, Israel and Ludovic Sylvestre. Stuttgart meanwhile had no injury news to report of and would like their chances in the first leg of the EURO Cup 1st knockout round.
Blackpool:
GK: David Ospina
DL: Tarik Brack
DC: Phil Jones (C)
DC: Ian Evatt
DR: Lee Hodson
ML: James McFadden
MC: Mark Noble
MC: Elliot Grandin
MR: Jeffren
ST: Chris Wood
ST: Jordi Alvarez
Subs: Wilfredo Caballero, Ivan Fatic, Craig Cathcart, Charlie Adam, Giovani dos Santos, David Goodwillie, DJ Campbell
Subs: Sven Ulreich, Paolo Hernan Dellaflore, Mathieu Delpierre, Piotr Trochowski, Johan Audel, Anthony Vanden Borre, Toro
Jordi Alvarez may have been playing in only his first game for Blackpool but it didn't take him long to get involved when he played a perfect ball in behind the defence to set up Jeffren for an easy finish and put Blackpool 1-0 up, only 7 minutes in. There was a quiet period after that though, but both sides did manage to create a couple of good chances and Chris Wood extended Blackpool's lead after 29 minutes, after spinning around Boulahrouz and then hammering it into the top of the net. Chris Wood nearly had a double minutes later, when his long range shot crashed against the woodwork but Stuttgart survived. Marica finally pulled one back for Stuttgart though a few minutes later and Stuttgart were back into it. That was the score going into the break but Blackpool would have liked another goal in the second period to build a nice lead going into the second leg.
Jordi Alvarez had been brought down towards the back end of the half and wasn't looking as fit as he would normally be, so he was replaced at the break, David Goodwillie coming on for him. The second half was a bore to watch but Goodwillie did come ever so close to scoring in the 71st minute, when Agazzi made a sublime save. Agazzi was tested out a couple more times at the back end of the second half but he did well to keep them to only a 2-1 defeat but they would still need to win in the second leg, to progress to the next stage.
Chris Wood had a fine game for The Tangerines, scoring a goal, while completing 36/44 passes, including 2 key passes, won 5 headers, made 3 attacking runs and tested the opposing keeper with 3 shots on target. Phil Jones had a great game again at the back, completing 25 passes, winning 3 tackles, won all 9 headers that he contested and made 9 interceptions. Hodson was great as well, winning 6 tackles, 4/5 headers including 2 key headers and intercepted 12 passes. Serdar Tasci had a great game for Stuttgart meanwhile, winning 8/8 tackles, including 3 key tackles, won 5 headers and took 11 intercepts.
24th February - Everton v Blackpool - Premier Division
This was going to be one thrilling encounter with the 7th place team, Everton going up against Blackpool in 5th position. Everton's Jonathan Bottinelli was doubtful to play in the match, while Blackpool would be missing Mikael Dorsin, Israel and Lee Hodson, who was injured in training earlier in the week and could miss up to a month. The two teams have met 7 times since 2010 and both teams have 3 wins a piece, with the other game resulting in a draw, but Blackpool did lose their last match between the two sides at their own home stadium, so Everton would be confident of their chances.
Everton:
GK: Alex Smithies
DL: Leighton Baines
DC: John Heitinga
DC: Gary Cahill
DR: Seamus Coleman
ML: Sebastien Pocognoli
MC: James McCarthy
MC: Jack Rodwell
MR: Issiar Dia
ST: Orlando Sa
ST: James Vaughan
Subs: David Stockdale, Christian Benitez, Park Ji-Sung, Damien Marcq, Moestafa El Kabir, Djamel Mesbah, Ondrej Mazuch
Blackpool:
GK: David Ospina
DL: Ivan Fatic
DC: Phil Jones
DC: Ian Evatt
DR: Neal Eardley
ML: James McFadden
MC: Charlie Adam (C)
MC: Mark Noble
MR: Giovani dos Santos
The first 15 minutes were taken control of by Everton with all the attacking opportunities but Goodwillie nearly opened the scoring when he was one-on-one with the keeper but the angle was too tight and Smithies made the save. Everton continued to show their dominance, but Blackpool were hanging on, and slowly clawing their way back into the game. It took 36 minutes but Everton had finally found their way onto the scoresheet, with Ba being put on to a great ball from McCarthy and he smashed it into the goals. Blackpool had just fallen apart though and Rodwell doubled Everton's lead in the 40th minute with a powerful finish from outside the box. That was how the scores remained going into the break and Blackpool would need to pull off something special if they were to take something from this game.
David Goodwillie finally broke his scoring draught, minutes into the second half with a great effort from 25 yards, Charlie Adam picking up yet another assist. Jones had been pushed up into the midfield at the break, in hope of something and the move payed off to perfection when Blackpool hit Everton on the break and Phil Jones had a heap of space and showed great finishing touch to level it up at 2-2, after 51 minutes. Both sides had their chances to take the lead but the teams were lacking the finishing touch and time continued to run out for both sides. Blackpool had one late chance in stoppage time with a corner to snatch the victory, but Rodrigo was too eager, pushing Rodwell hoping to get to the ball and the final score was 2 all.
Jack Rodwell was the MOTM with a great performance for Everton, scoring a goal, completing 30 passes, winning 7 tackles, 4 headers and making 6 interceptions, a great performance. Phil Jones had a strong game for Blackpool, scoring the equalising goal, but was solid all-round, winning 4 tackles, 2 headers and taking 6 intercepts. His fine form continues and he is becoming a certainty for the Young Player of the Year Award.
The first leg resulted in a 2-1 victory for Blackpool, which is not a decisive lead going into the second leg away from home, and Stuttgart's away goal could prove crucial, if they win 1-0, but otherwise, they'll need a 2 goal win to qualify for the next stage. Blackpool would definately be looking for an early goal to improve their chances. Blackpool would be missing Mikael Dorsin, Lee Hodson and Israel through injury, and Rodrigo of course is ineligible but they would still like their chances, despite being the outsiders for this match. Stuttgart wouldn't be missing any big names though and would be able to field a full strength side.
Subs: Sven Ulreich, Johan Audel, Pavel Progrebnyak, Piotr Trochowski, Paolo Hernan Dellafiore, Toro, Daniel Nordmark
Blackpool:
GK: David Ospina
DL: Tarik Brack
DC: Phil Jones (C)
DC: Craig Cathcart
DR: Neal Eardley
ML: David Carney
MC: Mark Noble
MC: Elliot Grandin
MR: Jeffren
ST: Chris Wood
ST: Jordi Alvarez
Subs: Wilfredo Caballero, Ivan Fatic, Ian Evatt, Ludovic Sylvestre, Giovani dos Santos, David Goodwillie, DJ Campbell
The chances came for Stuttgart in the first 25 minutes but they just couldn't convert those chances, and Blackpool were hanging on. Blackpool had their own chances to score, and Chris Wood went ever so close, right on half-time when his long range strike, hit the post and the score at half-time was still 0-0, and Stuttgart really needed a goal in the second half.
The second half wasn't that entertaining, but Stuttgart's chances weren't getting any better, when both Khalid Boulahrouz and Antunes were injured and forced to come off within the first 20 minutes of the second half, and that was their 3 substitutions made, after they had brought Pogrebnyak on for Marica in the 60th minute, while Blackpool still had all 3 substitutions left. Grandin should have scored in the 67th minute, when he was inside the box with only the keeper to beat, but miscued the shot and Stuttgart were still in it. Dellafiore went so close to scoring in the 75th minute, when his header off a corner, hit the crossbar and bounced over. Rochina broke the spirits of the Blackpool players and fans in the 78th minute though, when a corner resulted in the goal, and now Blackpool had to score. It looked like Stuttgart had taken a narrow victory on away goals, but Chris Wood was the hero for Blackpool, in the last minute of stoppage time, although it was called an own goal. Chris Wood was free right on the corner of the 18 yard box, tried to place it in the top right corner and Agazzi tried to save it but could only get a hand to it as the ball fell into his own net, but it was a harsh decision to call it an own goal, but I don't think any of the Blackpool players would care with a last minute equalising goal to put them through to the next round.
It was really surprising to see the keeper, Michael Agazzi taking the MOTM award, after only making one save and scoring an own goal, although did complete 29 passes, but that was it. Serdar Tasci had another great game for Stuttgart, winning 3 tackles, a massive 15 headers, including 4 key headers and intercepting 9 passes, a great performance from him. Tarik Brack had a very good game for Blackpool before being substituted in the 73rd minute, completing 35/44 passes, made 1 key pass, won 2 headers and made 9 interceptions. Jones had another great game for Blackpool, winning 9/10 headers, made 3 key headers and took 7 intercepts, as he has played in all but 3 games this season in all competitions, all in the starting XI, as he missed one match through suspension, one through injury and didn't play in the FA Cup match against Chesterfield as Blackpool rested most of their star players. Blackpool will now play Ajax in the next round of the EURO Cup.
It was another huge match for Blackpool as they looked to creep into the top 4 but Sunderland would be a tough match up for them, and there is a bit of history between the teams, memorably back in 2010 in the League Cup where Sunderland overcame a first leg deficit to win 3-0 in the second leg where Sunderland went on to win the cup, but in the team's most recent meeting back in November, Blackpool won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Chris Wood. This was going to be an exciting clash. Blackpool would be missing Mikael Dorsin, Lee Hodson and Israel while Lee Cattermole was out for Sunderland through suspension.
Blackpool:
GK: David Ospina
DL: Ivan Fatic
DC: Phil Jones
DC: Ian Evatt
DR: Neal Eardley
ML: James McFadden
MC: Charlie Adam (C)
MC: Ludovic Sylvestre
MR: Giovani dos Santos
ST: David Goodwillie
ST: Chris Wood
Subs: Wilfredo Caballero, Tarik Brack, Craig Cathcart, Mark Noble, Elliot Grandin, Rodrigo, DJ Campbell
ML: Diniyar Bilyaletdinov
MC: Jordan Henderson
MC: Rasmus Elm
MR: Ivelin Popov
ST: Danny Welbeck
Subs: Johnny Leoni, Matthew Kilgallon, Jonas, Asamoah Gyan, Titus Bramble, Allan Miller
Blackpool looked to take full control of the game early as David Goodwillie looked in hot form with 2 powerful strikes, one hitting the post and one being tipped wide by the keeper, but the corner led to the goal, when Phil Jones scored yet another goal, heading Adam's corner past Mignolet and Blackpool were up 1-0 after 10 minutes. David Goodwillie then went on a run minutes later down the left hand side and drew a few defenders and the goalkeeper, allowing him to pass across to Chris Wood who had an open goal to shoot at and Blackpool were 2-0 up within 13 minutes. Danny Welbeck pulled one goal back after a long through ball allowed him to get in behind the defence and he managed to beat the keeper on the second attempt. A mistake from David Ospina then led to the equalising goal in the 35th minute, when Bilyaletdinov put the ball past him with ease but Ospina should have saved it. That was the way the score remained at the break and both sides had it all to play for in the second half.
David Goodwillie was really having a good game and won his team a penalty minutes into the second half, when he was brought down by Turner inside the box, and Charlie Adam stepped up and converted the penalty to put Blackpool 3-2 up. It went from bad to worse for Sunderland though when Ashley Cole committed a professional foul to deny Chris Wood a great attacking opportunity, and the referee had no choice but to send him off. Rodrigo was brought on for Chris Wood with just under 20 minutes remaining, Wood getting a bit tired out there but it was David Goodwillie who capped off a great game, with a spectacular goal in the 83rd minute, as he smashed it towards the top left corner, hit the inside of the post and it rebounded in to give Blackpool a 4-2 lead, which would surely be enough, this late in the game. That was the way the score remained as the referee blew the end to a memorable game of football in some horrible conditions. The passing of both teams was exceptional in the wet conditions, and constant rain, with 81% for Blackpool and 77% for Sunderland, which would be great even in the dry conditions.
Blackpool's skipper, Charlie Adam had a great match and was awarded MOTM. He had scored a spot kick, set up a goal, made 2 key passes, completed 3 crosses and was great in defence as well as he won 5 tackles, 3 headers including 2 key headers, and made 2 interceptions. David Goodwillie had a great game for Blackpool as well, as he set up two goals, one through the penalty he won for his team, an exceptional goal, completed all 15 of his passes, including 1 key pass and made 2 attacking runs to trouble the defence. Phil Jones was great again for Blackpool, especially in the air, as he scored Blackpool's first goal through a header, won 13 headers over the course of the match, including 4 key headers, made 5 interceptions, won 5/5 tackles and completed 22 passes. Diniyar Bilyaletdinov was the stand out for Sunderland, as he made 5 key passes, won 3 tackles, went on 2 successful runs and capped off the good performance with a goal. The Sunderland defence however, was very poor with a number of missed tackles, and headers and they didn't make enough interceptions to break down the Blackpool's constant attacks.
8th March - Arsenal v Blackpool - Premier Division
This was a very important match for both sides, as Arsenal would be really needing a win to stay in the title race, now 8 points behind with 2 games in hand, while Blackpool would be looking to put some pressure on Man City and Arsenal above them and Liverpool just below them, by winning today and they would like their chances, having beaten them earlier this season although did lose in their FA Cup clash. Blackpool were in red hot form though, unbeaten in their last 7 premier league matches. Mikael Dorsin and Lee Hodson would be missing for Blackpool, but Israel would be available for selection, coming off an ankle injury. Arsenal had a lot of injury worries meanwhile, with Robin van Persie, Alexis Sanchez, Marouane Chamakh and Emmanuel Eboue out with injuries, as their up front options would be limited. Charlie Adam is also only one goal away from reaching 50 career league goals and he would love to bring up such a milestone in an important match like this.
Arsenal:
GK: Diego Benaglio
DL: Gael Clichy
DC: Thomas Vermaelen
DC: Alex Song
DR: Bakary Sagna
DMC: Marek Hamsik
DMC: Arturo Vidal
MC: Cesc Fabregas (C)
AML: Guilermo Burdisso
AMR: Jonathan Biabiany
ST: Nicklas Bendtner
Subs: Fraser Forster, Kazim Alkan, Andrey Arshavin, Johan Djourou, Theo Walcott, Domenico Criscito, Laurent Koscielny
Blackpool:
GK: David Ospina
DL: Ivan Fatic
DC: Phil Jones
DC: Ian Evatt
DR: Neal Eardley
ML: James McFadden
MC: Charlie Adam (C)
MC: Ludovic Sylvestre
MR: Giovani dos Santos
ST: David Goodwillie
ST: Rodrigo
Subs: Wilfredo Caballero, Tarik Brack, Craig Cathcart, Mark Noble, Israel, Rodrigo, Chris Wood, DJ Campbell
Arsenal may have started off as favourites, but maybe not after 2 minutes when Blackpool took the lead very early on, when Goodwillie put the ball through to Rodrigo who touched the ball away from the keeper before putting it in the back of the net and Blackpool had an early lead, but could they hold onto it or even extend it? It didn't take long for Arsenal to respond though as they won two consecutive corners and the second brought about the goal, as Burdisso headed the ball home and put Arsenal back on level terms. A horrible mistake from David Ospina then put Arsenal into the lead with Bendtner tapping the ball home to put Arsenal 2-1 up within 9 minutes. Arsenal had their chances to increase their lead but Blackpool drew level 5 minutes before half-time through Giovani dos Santos, on the back of a James McFadden cross. That was how the scores remained going into the break and both sides would be looking to come out attacking in the second half.
Arsenal had by far the better start to the second half but they couldn't convert their chances and they would have been missing Robin van Persie who could have really changed this game. Neal Eardley was having a horrible game at right full back but Blackpool had no other alternatives and it could prove costly in the late stages of the game, as the game went into the final 15 minutes. Arsenal had taken the lead with 12 minutes remaining though through Nicklas Bendtner and the Blackpool players couldn't believe it. Mark Noble cost Blackpool the match in stoppage time when with a perfect chance to equalise, he made a stupid pass which was intercepted rather than shoot from 15 yards and test the goalkeeper. A 3-2 victory for Arsenal seemed to be a fair result but Blackpool would have felt that the game was there for the taking.
Nicklas Bendtner's double helped him take the MOTM award while he also completed 3 key passes, won 4 headers and had 6 shots on target. Fabregas also had a great game for Arsenal, setting up a goal, completing 39/45 passes including 3 key passes, won 2 tackles and 2 headers. David Ospina played well for Blackpool, despite conceding 3 goals, having to withstand heavy pressure and making a number of great saves. Rodrigo was also impressive, scoring the early goal, winning 5 tackles, 4 headers and hit the target in all of his shots. Blackpool would now face Ajax in the EURO Cup, the first leg away from home.
Wow, Ashley Cole is at Sunderland. But still its nothing compared to the fact that after 1 season, Cole went to Liverpool for just 7M$ in one of my save games.
It was a much anticipated clash in the EURO Cup second knockout round, with Ajax at home in the first leg. Ajax had finished third in their Champions League group meaning that they had dropped down to the EURO Cup, where they beat Toulouse 5-1 on aggreggate to get here, while Blackpool had beaten Stuttgart on aggreggate after Stuttgart's 94th minute own goal in the second leg. Ajax had a couple of injuries, with Dario Cvitanich and keeper, Kenneth Vermeer missing while Blackpool would still be missing Lee Hodson and Mikael Dorsin through injury.
ML: Ismail Aissati
MC: Christian Eriksen
MC: Demy de Zeeuw (C)
MR: Gili Vermut
ST: Suk
ST: Mounir El Hamdaoul
Subs: Michael Smit, Luciano, Jurgen de Ruiter, Sergio Pasveer, Arthur Wisse, Serkan van der Lee, Wassim Yilmaz
Blackpool:
GK: Wilfredo Caballero
DL: Tarik Brack
DC: Phil Jones (C)
DC: Ian Evatt
DR: Neal Eardley
ML: Israel
MC: Mark Noble
MC: Ludovic Sylvestre
MR: Jeffren
ST: David Goodwillie
ST: Chris Wood
Subs: David Ospina, Ivan Fatic, Craig Cathcart, Charlie Adam, James McFadden, Jordi Alvarez, DJ Campbell
Blackpool really looked to get on top early as they made many chances, but Verhoeven was standing strong in goals, denying them with 3 saves within the first 15 minutes. Ajax just didn't look like they were up for the challenge as Blackpool dominated the first half hour but they were hanging on. Ajax would have been very happy to go into the break still level but they would be hoping for a better second half, if they were to take an advantage going into the second leg.
Blackpool finally found the back of the net in the 49th minute when Mark Noble put Chris Wood in behind the defence and Wood's shot was placed perfectly, leaving Verhoeven no chance and Blackpool had an important 1-0 lead. Blackpool were so lucky not to concede though in the 57th minute when Aissati's shot was saved before Jones got in the way of Suk's follow up shot before it deflected straight back to Aissati who shot it right into Jones who was there to save the day twice in the space of 10 seconds. Both sides created the chances but couldn't find the nets, until Ian Evatt played an excellent long ball, with Goodwillie running onto it before smashing it past the keeper to take a decisive 2-0 lead, especially going into the second leg. Ajax tried to hit back with a goal but just couldn't find a way past Caballero as Blackpool took a stunning 2-0 win away from home and they would have all the momentum going into the second leg next week.
Ian Evatt was the MOTM after putting in a brilliant performance for Blackpool, winning 4 tackles, winning 7/8 headers including 2 key headers, took 8 intercepts and set up Blackpool's second goal. Jones was also great at the back, winning 2 tackles, 10 headers including 3 key headers and also making 8 interceptions. All of Blackpool's players did play very well though. Ajax weren't very good but Papa Gueye was one of the stand out players for them, completing 2 key passes but also broke down a lot of Blackpool's attacks with some great defence, winning 6/6 tackles, 5/5 headers and making 12 interceptions. de Zeeuw also was solid, completing 26 passes including 2 key passes, completed 1 cross, won 3 tackles, made 2 key headers and went on 2 attacking runs.
Blackpool after losing Edu Bedia in the transfer window needed a replacement in the central midfield and it was Kevin-Prince Boateng, the Ghanian international who was their target. His contract was expiring at the end of the season so Blackpool looked to snatch up the Genoan 27 year old midfielder on a free transfer, and settled on a deal days before Blackpool's second leg clash against Ajax. Kevin-Prince Boateng joined for Genoa in 2010 for a fee of $5M but only had limited game-time each season and so felt the need to move on, expressing his relief at agreeing terms with Blackpool, "It's been going down ever since I moved to Genoa. I've played reasonably well but I just haven't been getting a lot of game-time with only about 50 games over the past 4 seasons. It will be great going back to England, after the success I had there with Portsmouth in the one season I spent there." The deal will go through on the 1st July when his contract at Genoa runs out.
Ajax had gone down 2-0 in the first leg and they would have it all to do in the return leg, at Bloomfield Road where Blackpool have only lost 3 games this entire season, and only lost once in the EURO Cup at home, against Dinamo Moscow. Ajax would still be without Vermeer and Cvitanich while previous game substitute, Sergio Pasveer was doubtful to play. Lee Hodson and Mikael Dorsin were back from injury meanwhile for Blackpool, but Blackpool didn't want to risk any further injuries and let them rest for this match. Blackpool only made one change to the squad that defeated Ajax last week with Jordi Alvarez coming in for Chris Wood. For Ajax, their only change was in goal with 34 year old Luciano coming in for Jeroen Verhoeven.
Blackpool:
GK: Wilfredo Caballero
DL: Tarik Brack
DC: Phil Jones (C)
DC: Ian Evatt
DR: Neal Eardley
ML: Israel
MC: Mark Noble
MC: Ludovic Sylvestre
MR: Jeffren
ST: David Goodwillie
ST: Jordi Alvarez
Subs: David Ospina, Ivan Fatic, Craig Cathcart, Charlie Adam, James McFadden, Chris Wood, DJ Campbell
ML: Ismail Aissati
MC: Christian Eriksen
MC: Demy de Zeeuw (C)
MR: Gili Vermut
ST: Suk
ST: Mounir El Hamdaoul
Subs: Jeroen Verhoeven, Jurgen de Ruiter, Arthur Wisse, Sergio Pasveer, Serkan van der Lee, Imad Herder, Wassim Yilmaz
A warning against complacency. That was what the pre-game message would have been for Blackpool, but they surely didn't listen when Ajax scored minutes into the match, and de Zeeuw had put Blackpool's lead in danger already, only 5 minutes in. It was the wakeup call that Blackpool had needed and Blackpool went on to control the first half, creating all the chances and it was a surprise they hadn't scored but the Ajax defence was keeping them in it, still.
Chris Wood was brought on for Alvarez at the break, Blackpool still looking to score. Blackpool looked the better side at the start of the second half but Phil Jones gifted Ajax the equalising goal in the 56th minute when he kicked it right into the body of El Hamdaoul who had the easiest finish in the world to cancel out Blackpool's lead. Blackpool were falling apart though and Ajax profited from their low morale, when Gueye ran through and picked up Eriksen's pass before putting it past the keeper to give Ajax the lead. Blackpool now had to score twice to win the match, and they made a double change bringing off Israel and Sylvestre for McFadden and Adam. Jeffren brought Blackpool a goal back after 72 minutes but they still needed another goal. Blackpool tried to save the game with some late pressure but Ajax held on for a memorable 3-1 win at Bloomfield Road to go through to the next knockout round, while Blackpool would be disappointed not to have held on to a 2 goal win at home, but they would be looking forward to going further next season, or even step up to the Champions League.
Papa Gueye was very impressive for Ajax picking up the MOTM award, having scored a goal, completing 1 key pass, winning 12 headers, 3 key headers and making 8 interceptions, a great game for him. Christian Eriksen was also great for Ajax, creating Gueye's goal, making 31 passes including 3 key passes, winning 3 tackles, 2 headers and took 3 intercepts. Blackpool will be looking for an improvement, to make sure they finish in the top 4 of the Premier League.
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