With just over 1 month of the Championship season gone, Blackpool are sitting at the top of the table on thirteen points and are leading on goal difference from Queens Park Rangers.
Despite only managing to score seven goals in their first five matches they lead due to there brilliant defensive record which is the joint tightest with QPR, the Tangerines have only conceded two goals so far. One against Doncaster and the other against Middlesbrough. On their way to the top of the league, Blackpool have pulled off some brilliant victories against two promotion favorites in Reading and Watford.
After the 1-0 win against Watford, Manager Paul Ince admitted his side has been a little lucky so far this season, “We rode our luck and sometimes you earn your luck. When you have central midfielders, one at right-back and the other at centre-half, you’re going to ride your luck.” He told the BBC This could possibly hint that Ince doesn’t have much backup, as he would have liked, which could be the difference between automatic promotion and play-off’s at the end of the season.
Ince has developed his philosophy at Blackpool of having the ball, as in every single league match so far this season his side have managed to obtain at least 50% possession. But could this be a problem come the winter months when the pitch at Bloomfield Road becomes notoriously bad and bobbly. Do the Tangerines have a backup plan?
Of course they do, their main man Tom Ince. Son of manager Paul Ince, Tom is making a real name for himself in the Championship. The highly rated 21 year old has received interest from many Premier League clubs and call-ups to the England Under 21’s. Despite not being on the starting 11 against Watford (below), Ince did come off the bench to score the winning goal. If Ince remains at Blackpool and can keep fit he can easily score or assist around 25 goals this season.
Overall I believe that Blackpool will fall away towards the winter months due to both the hectic playing schedule causing a shortage of first team players at Bloomfield Road, but with a couple of versatile players joining from Premier League clubs on loan, I could see Blackpool be buzzing around the play offs and automatic promotion places come May.
