'The Green shoots of recovery' is an over-used expression in politics however can be used for where Blackpool are at. You did start to wonder where the rot would stop and after an Annus Horribilis we may well finally be in a month where it's not all bad news. Riga is still here, we've got our first point on the board and if results go our way on Tuesday we could be out of the bottom three.

Last season was definitely one of two halves where the first 5 months we looked at the top of the table and the last 5 months at the bottom. This season there has been little point looking beyond the halfway point but it is interesting when you look at the top 12. So far there's only Wigan who aren't in that top half who we've played maybe reflecting how tough the first half dozen games have been. Indeed we've faced the top club, then the 3rd, 6th,7th and 8th clubs. So 5 from the top 8 is quite a feat and by 10pm on Tuesday night it'll be 6 of the top 8 after we've played Watford who are currently 4th (and just for good measure the team who are second Norwich are next up at Bloomfield Road!).

There were plenty of signs of improvement on Saturday not least the clean sheet however 3 goals in 7 games (including the League Cup exit) makes for grim reading. No goals yet for Miller or Zoko and only Cykwa from midfield has chipped in. Whatsmore our lack of set pieces has meant the defence hasn't come up the field much with no goals from the back four yet. It must be the next thing on Riga's list. Whilst it would be easy to blame the front men, the general consensus is that it's the midfield which is supplying little in the way of service. Maybe the much anticipated arrival of Cubero will change that.

In the meantime, don't be surprised if it's the same again on Tuesday and against a side who will be in the reckoning at the end of the season, most fans would take another game where we don't lose whatever that result may be.

Photo: Action Images

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