| Neil Critchley reflects on Blackpool's pre-season 10:47 - Sep 7 with 154 views | BringBackTheRedRoom |
Blackpool boss targets further improvements following final pre-season friendly
Neil Critchley admits his Blackpool side still have improvements to make after the completion of their pre-season preparations.
The Seasiders played their sixth and final friendly of the summer on Saturday at Anfield, where they suffered a 7-2 defeat to Premier League champions Liverpool.
Attention now turns to tomorrow night’s EFL Trophy group game against Barrow at Bloomfield Road before the 2020/21 League One curtain raiser at Plymouth Argyle at the weekend.
While Critchley, ever the perfectionist, is satisfied with the progress his side has made, he still wants to see more from his charges.
“I’m happy yes, but we always strive to improve and get better — that’s how we always reflect and analyse all of our performances,” Pool’s head coach told The Gazette.
“We look at the things we’ve done well but we also look at the things we can improve on.
“Even after the Stoke game (in the Carabao Cup) last week, where we performed well and drew 0-0, having watched the game back there’s still loads of things we can improve on.
“That takes time, it takes a lot of effort and a lot of work, so I’m happy with where we’re at but we know we’ve got a lot of improvements to come.
“I’m looking forward to Barrow first and then we’ll look forward to getting our season underway next Saturday.”
Critchley was left with mixed emotions following Saturday’s defeat, his first return to Merseyside since leaving Liverpool in March.
Blackpool held a deserved 2-1 lead at the break thanks to goals from CJ Hamilton and Jerry Yates, but Liverpool’s superior quality told in the second half when the Seasiders made wholesale changes to their line-up.
Despite the scoreline, Critchley was delighted to reunite with his former colleagues as well as some of the youngsters he coached in the Under-23s.
“It was fantastic to see lots of staff I’ve not seen for a few months having worked with them for a number of years,” he said.
“You build up some strong relationships and it was really special to see some really top people who are outstanding at their jobs.
“I really enjoyed coming back and seeing those people, and I hope Liverpool and ourselves continue to be very successful this season.
“I was very proud to see some of the youngsters play too. They all looked as though they’ve kicked on and progressed, which is what they need to do; they need to keep improving.
“It’s funny when you don’t see players for six months how their bodies can change a little bit and they add a little bit of maturity.
“I thought the young players acquitted themselves really well but they’ll need to if they want to try and get in that team.
“I was really pleased to see how those players did and it was nice to speak to them.”
https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/blackpool-boss-ta | |
| ‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’ |
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| Neil Critchley reflects on Blackpool's pre-season on 11:18 - Sep 7 with 148 views | spudgun |
I assume the bit on the Liverpool game was just part of a longer interview. It reads like he didn`t want to talk about his own team, and just talk about the opposition.
Not surprising I suppose... | | | |
| Neil Critchley reflects on Blackpool's pre-season on 11:25 - Sep 7 with 147 views | BringBackTheRedRoom |
Yup, they'll drop bit of the interview over the week. | |
| ‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’ |
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