Away dismay

Losing 3-0 at Manchester City may have been excused, but getting beat 3-0 at Wigan on Saturday (Aug 22) has already cast doubts on the Tangerine's away form.

Granted, Blackpool put on a good show and hogged the ball in the second half, but at the end of the match it's the scoreline that counts.

And to rub salt into the Seasiders' wounds, Stuart Barlow - the player that slipped through the club's clutches on transfer deadline day last season - was denied a hat-trick only by a one-handed save by Banks in the 79th minute.

Barlow's first came just nine minutes into the game, lobbing Banks from a McGibbon pass that ripped through the Tangerines' defence. His second on 28 minutes was a long, low drive from the right that cannonballed under the Blackpool keeper.

On 85 minutes he was denied his last shot by Banks, only for midfielder Lee to slot the ball home.

It would be unfair to say that Blackpool deserved to lose 3-0, to say the least.

The most controversial moment of the match came when the Seasiders were 1-0 down.

On 26 minutes McGibbon hauled down Mike Conroy who was through on goal after an excellent through-ball from Brabin.

Referee Roger Furnandiz didn't even produce a yellow card, let alone the red.

All the more infuriating when he had been so eager to show young Phil Thompson a yellow card as early as the seventh minute. Malkin put on a good show up front and was unlucky early on with a header and pushed a shot wide with 20 minutes to go.

Strong performances from Gary Brabin, Junior Bent and David Bardsley rounded off some good play by Pool in a side weakened by the loss of Ian Hughes and Tony Butler.

Youngsters Clarke Carlisle and Phil Thompson tried their best to hold the defence together and will be solid performers in time, but the lack of experience was evident.

On Saturday (Aug 29) the Seasiders entertain Gillingham at Bloomfield Road.

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