According to the headline in the Blackpool Gazette the Tangerines are out for revenge at The Valley today. In particular, defender James Husband 'will be looking to banish his nightmare memories of Charlton.'
Given Charlton's recent form, one might think that they face an easy task when they take their trip from beside the Irish Sea to the River Thames. I have been slipping down the West Sussex Badger League prediction table and my forecast of a 2-1 win over Blackpool this afternoon made at the start of the year looks over optimistic. A useful home point might be possible.
Blackpool's midweek game had to be postponed because of a waterlogged pitch. Last weekend they managed to beat promotion prospects Portsmouth 1-0 at Fratton Park. Manager Neil Critchley said afterwards: 'We were positive, believed in ourselves and got our reward for that.'
Charlton fans have a reputation for being some of the most pessimistic in football and some are already talking about a relegation battle. 9th is not a relegation position and Charlton are 12th in the form table. It looks more like midtable mediocrity to me.
Above all, one can't read results off the table in what is a more competitive league that many fans are prepared to allow. Just because a club is a 'small' one doesn't mean they can't perform on the pitch. The size of your stadium or your fan base doesn't give you a right to be in a particular league. According to Sheffield Wednesday fans, they are a 'massive' club but they are in a relegation battle.
As the CAST preview notes, Blackpool have plenty of attacking threat (although C J Hamilton is out injured at the moment): https://www.castrust.org/2021/02/blackpool-can-you-bear-to-watch/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blackpool-can-you-bear-to-watch
Our historic record against them is not good, although some of that may be down to Stanley Matthews: Played 65, won 19, drawn 16, lost 30.
Super Kevin Lisbie will be the guest on Valley Pass today.
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