Halfway There...

Following the 2-1 defeat to Wolves in front of the Sky cameras on Friday night, half of the 2012/13 Championship season has now elapsed. With 23 games played and every opponent faced once, now appears as good a time as any to take stock of the season so far.

Four Thoughts on Blackpool 2-2 Watford

For the third successive league match under new manager Michael Appleton, Blackpool had to come from behind to earn a draw. Watford took an early two goal advantage but an improved second half meant the hosts took a deserved point. Here are my thoughts on the game:

Blackpool 2-2 Bolton Wanderers - Match Report Word Cloud

For those who are unfamiliar with how this works, the following is a word cloud based on match reports from the BBC and Blackpool's official website, displaying words in different sizes according to their frequency. The word cloud has been created using wordle.net.

Click to enlarge

Four Thoughts on Sheffield Wednesday 0-2 Blackpool

Bouncing back from recent disappointment, both on and off the pitch, Blackpool ran out worthy winners on Tuesday night at Hillsborough to beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-0. Here are my thoughts on the match:

Sheffield Wednesday 0-2 Blackpool - Match Report Word Cloud

For those who are unfamiliar with how this works, the following is a word cloud based on match reports from the BBC and Blackpool's official website, displaying words in different sizes according to their frequency. The word cloud has been created using wordle.net.

Click to enlarge

The Holloway Years: The Seasons

Ian Holloway oversaw a hugely successful period during his time as manager, leading Blackpool to their highest league position in a generation. Each season had its ups and downs and was never less than entertaining. An series of posts analysing Holloway's tenure begins with a summary of each of his seasons in charge:

Four Thoughts on Derby County 4-1 Blackpool

Following the departure of Ian Holloway, it fell to Steve Thompson to assume temporary control of Blackpool for their trip to Pride Park. Derby County fully exploited the disarray the visitors found themselves in to seal a comfortable 4-1 victory.

Derby County 4-1 Blackpool - Match Report Word Cloud

For those who are unfamiliar with how this works, the following is a word cloud based on match reports from the BBC and Blackpool's official website, displaying words in different sizes according to their frequency. The word cloud has been created using wordle.net.

Click to enlarge

Why Ian Holloway's departure was inevitable

So, it's finally happened. Ian Holloway has left Bloomfield Road after three and a bit seasons in charge to take up the managerial position at Crystal Palace. The rumour mill had been in overdrive for a couple of weeks and it comes as no surprise that Holloway has eventually decided it's time to move on. When linked to the Burnley job, prior to Sean Dyche's appointment at Turf Moor, I wrote a piece for No Nay Never about what might be motivating Holloway to seek a potential exit - I'd like to expand on some of the points raised there to establish some background as to why today's events have come to pass.

Burnley 1-0 Blackpool - Match Report Word Cloud

For those who are unfamiliar with how this works, the following is a word cloud based on match reports from the BBC and Blackpool's official website, displaying words in different sizes according to their frequency. The word cloud has been created using wordle.net.

Click to enlarge

Getting Off To A Flier - Revisited

With 10 matches of this season's Championship campaign now played, it seems a good opportunity to revisit one of the season preview pieces I wrote, which specifically discussed the historical effects of teams winning automatic promotion in this timeframe. How does Blackpool's record compare to those sides, and should those 'Pool fans aiming for a top two finish reassess their expectations?

Four Thoughts on Blackpool 0-2 Charlton Athletic

Blackpool lost their second home match in a row on Saturday as their form faltered once more despite a mid-week win at Hull. Charlton took all three points south with them following a deserved 2-0 victory. Here are my thoughts on the match:

Blackpool 0-2 Charlton Athletic - Match Report Word Cloud

For those who are unfamiliar with how this works, the following is a word cloud based on match reports from the BBC and Blackpool's official website, displaying words in different sizes according to their frequency. The word cloud has been created using wordle.net.

Click to enlarge

Hull City 2-3 Blackpool - Match Report Word Cloud

For those who are unfamiliar with how this works, the following is a word cloud based on match reports from the BBC and Blackpool's official website, displaying words in different sizes according to their frequency. The word cloud has been created using wordle.net.

Click to enlarge

Cardiff City 3-0 Blackpool - Match Report Word Cloud

For those who are unfamiliar with how this works, the following is a word cloud based on match reports from the BBC and Blackpool's official website, displaying words in different sizes according to their frequency. The word cloud has been created using wordle.net.

Click to enlarge

Blackpool 1-3 Huddersfield Town - Match Report Word Cloud

For those who are unfamiliar with how this works, the following is a word cloud based on match reports from the BBC and Blackpool's official website, displaying words in different sizes according to their frequency. The word cloud has been created using wordle.net.

Click to enlarge

Four Thoughts on Blackpool 4-1 Middlesbrough

Ian Holloway's Blackpool made it three home wins out of three as the impressive opening to the season got back on track after a couple of disappointing away results. The Seasiders ran out 4-1 winners over Middlesbrough on a wind and rain swept night at Bloomfield Road. Here are my thoughts on the match:

Blackpool 4-1 Middlesbrough - Match Report Word Cloud

For those who are unfamiliar with how this works, the following is a word cloud based on match reports from the BBC and Blackpool's official website, displaying words in different sizes according to their frequency. The word cloud has been created using wordle.net.

Click to enlarge

Barnsley 1-1 Blackpool - Match Report Word Cloud

For those who are unfamiliar with how this works, the following is a word cloud based on match reports from the BBC and Blackpool's official website, displaying words in different sizes according to their frequency. The word cloud has been created using wordle.net.

Leicester City 1-0 Blackpool - Match Report Word Cloud

For those who are unfamiliar with how this works, the following is a word cloud based on match reports from the BBC and Blackpool's official website, displaying words in different sizes according to their frequency. The word cloud has been created using wordle.net.

Four Thoughts on Blackpool 6-0 Ipswich Town

Blackpool recorded their third consecutive win with a thumping 6-0 win over visitors Ipswich Town, marking the first time 'Pool have begun a campaign in such a fashion since 1991/92. However, the scoreline does not perhaps tell the whole story. Here are my thoughts on the match:

Blackpool 6-0 Ipswich Town - Match Report Word Cloud

For those who are unfamiliar with how this works, the following is a word cloud based on match reports from the BBC and Blackpool's official website , displaying words in different sizes according to their frequency. The word cloud has been created using wordle.net.

Click to enlarge

Four Thoughts on Blackpool 2-1 Leeds United

Blackpool produced a tremendous display to beat Leeds United, despite being behind for most of the game. It was one of those night matches to remember at Bloomfield Road as 'Pool kicked off their home league campaign with a stirring comeback to send out a warning message to the rest of the Championship. Here are my thoughts on the game:

Blackpool 2-1 Leeds United - Match Report Word Cloud

For those who missed the explanation last time, the following is a word cloud based on match reports from the BBC and Blackpool Gazette, displaying words in different sizes according to their frequency. The word cloud has been created using wordle.net.

Click to enlarge

Four Thoughts on Millwall 0-2 Blackpool

Blackpool got off to a perfect start on Saturday with a 2-0 win away at Millwall, which saw Ian Holloway keep his unbeaten opening day record as 'Pool manager intact. The searing heat made for a punishing afternoon in the sun, but a professional performance meant Blackpool showed their class to take all three points and top the table after the first game for the third consecutive season. Here are my thoughts on the match:

Millwall 0-2 Blackpool - Match Report Word Cloud

Taking inspiration from the wonderful Spirit Of Mirko website, which has created a series of posts using word clouds including one for Championship sides in 2011/12, I've decided to present data in this way for each match this season - or as often as possible, anyway. Spirit Of Mirko constructed word clouds for each club using the text from BBC match reports. For those unfamiliar with word clouds, it is a method of presenting words from a passage of text based on the frequency.

In addition to using BBC match reports, I've also opted to include the report from Blackpool's official website in order to provide a little more 'Pool weighting. In terms of its usefulness, one way in which the word clouds can be used is to spot which players were in the thick of the action, and who amongst them failed to catch the eye. Another reason for using word clouds is that I think they look pretty damn cool. OK, the main reason for using words clouds is that I think they look pretty damn cool...

Forethoughts on Millwall vs. Blackpool

The first league game of any season is always something of an unknown, yet for the majority of football fans up and down the country it is that uncertainty that holds so much of the excitement of an opening day. Writing a match preview therefore is somewhat difficult given a lack of recent matches to base opinions on, although the shifting of the League Cup 1st round to inaugurate the season does help a little. Nonetheless, let's look ahead to this weekend's curtain-raiser and see what The New Den has in store for Blackpool.

2012/13 Season Preview: Getting Off To A Flier

Days away from the start of the season, teams up and down the country will be eager to kick off the campaign in the best possible fashion. Blackpool are no different, and given the relatively small turnover of players, should be well positioned to make a strong start. However, one wonders just how key early points on the board are. Does a flying start equate to success?

With that in mind, I've carried out some research from the last five seasons into how teams winning automatic promotion - Blackpool's lofty target - have begun the Championship season. For the purposes of this exercise, I have read 'start of the season' to mean the opening 10 fixtures. Here are the findings:

2012/13 Season Preview: Return of the Visualiser

Throughout last season I analysed the relative difficulty of Blackpool's fixtures based on a system devised by the brains over at Experimental 3-6-1 - the season visualiser. For the most part the visualiser held up pretty well and was a good way of tracking progress during the course of the campaign. 

I'm pleased to announce that the visualiser will once more be a regular feature on the blog this season, with thanks due again to Ben Mayhew (@experimental361) for providing the raw data which allows me to manipulate the figures into various charts and graphs.

2012/13 Season Preview: Smoothing The Edges

With the dust long since settled on the disappointment of Wembley, the new campaign and a fresh assault on promotion to the Premier League is less than a week away. The feel to the playing side going into the opening day is notably different from recent seasons and optimism reigns - cup defeat to Morecambe aside. Many supporters are beginning to believe in the prospect of a first automatic promotion since 1985. That expectation may be premature, yet having come so close last time round, a few tweaks here and there and a smoothing of the rough edges could see that long-held ambition fulfilled.

Forethoughts on the Championship Play-Off Final - Blackpool vs. West Ham United

Blackpool and West Ham United will step out at Wembley on Saturday to play in the hyperbolic richest game in football. Here is your match preview:

Four Thoughts on... Blackpool 1-0 Birmingham City

Blackpool took a lead in the first leg of their play-off semi-final with Birmingham City. It was nothing less than the Seasiders deserved following an excellent display at Bloomfield Road, although they may be frustrated that they were unable to make more of their dominance on the day. Here are my observations from the match:

Play-Off Retrospective - 2001

With Blackpool set to embark on yet another play-off campaign - the club's seventh in the last 21 years - it seems fitting to re-visit past adventures in the so-called end of season lottery. The first retrospective will focus on the 2000/2001 season when Blackpool won promotion from League Two after an eventful season.

A Response To The Response

Keen followers of the blog - I'm led to believe there are one or two of you out there - may have noticed a distinct lack of activity in recent weeks. My last post was a response to the publication of the club's most recent set of annual accounts, where I outlined 10 questions that should be answered by the Oyston family. 

My inactivity since then has been for a variety of reasons. Posting about the football side has been limited by time, missing the odd game here and there, and to be honest more than a little apathy in the aftermath of the financial revelations. Results had done little to inspire either, with just one win in the last six including some very poor performances.

Away from the football, I had been reluctant to post more about the financial situation. There was still plenty more to say, but there was a feeling emerging that off-the-field disruption was starting to affect performances and results. How true that is remains unclear - players are after all highly-paid professionals who should be able to put paper talk to the back of their minds once crossing the white line. However, I was willing to let this case lie until our season is over, one way or the other.

Until now we had only heard brief snippets from Karl Oyston in reply to the stories that arose in the national and local press. Yet this Monday, the BBC broadcast an interview with the Blackpool chairman as part of their regional Late Kick Off programme, hosted by Tony Livesey. An extended version of this interview was then broadcast by Radio Lancashire on Tuesday evening.

Needless to say I was far from impressed with comments made by Karl Oyston, and therefore I would like to respond to his response. Quotes displayed are accurate transcriptions from that interview, which can still be listened to until next Tuesday (3rd April).

10 questions that should be answered...

...but probably won't be. At least not satisfactorily.

Since the club's 2010/11 accounts were published last week it has been a topic that has dominated  debate in the usual outlets, and even making national headlines with a double page spread in the Mail on Sunday (and later coverage in the Guardian). Last year this blog sought to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the 2009/10 accounts, although in truth that wasn't entirely successful.

Rather than take a similar approach by dissecting the numbers in detail - much of which is already now publicly available anyway - we'll take a look at the fallout from the figures and the questions arising. It's unlikely Blackpool fans will get the answers they want to these questions, but if the club's owners are determined to build bridges and make amends for this PR disaster, then as much disclosure as possible based on these 10 questions would certainly help.

Season Visualiser - February Update

As we enter the final two months of the campaign, it's time to once more revisit the Season Visualiser to see if it can shed any light on our performance to date and how things might pan out between now and the end of the season.

Four Thoughts on... Blackpool 1-4 West Ham United

It was a bizarre night at Bloomfield Road and sadly for Blackpool it was a match for the visitors to savour as they lost 4-1 in strange circumstances against a strong West Ham side. Here are my observations from the game:

Forethoughts on... Blackpool vs. West Ham United

Blackpool welcome West Ham to Bloomfield Road tonight in a top of the table clash which could see 'Pool move within two points of their rivals with a win. Here's your match preview:

Forethoughts on... Blackpool vs. Portsmouth

Blackpool will be looking to extend their recent run of good form in front of the Sky television cameras as they welcome troubled Portsmouth to Bloomfield Road. Here's your match preview:

Four Thoughts on... Cardiff City 1-3 Blackpool

Blackpool set down a marker as the promotion race took another twist at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday. The Seasiders ran out 3-1 winners in the Welsh capital to move into fourth place in the Championship. Here are my thoughts on the game:

Four Thoughts on... Blackpool 2-1 Coventry City

Blackpool left it late once again as they completed a very successful January with their third win of the month against a spirited Coventry City side. Here are my observations from the game:

Forethoughts on... Blackpool vs. Coventry City

After a disappointing draw with Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup on Saturday, Blackpool return to league action on Tuesday night against Coventry City, who currently sit at the foot of the Championship. Here's the Up the 'Pool match preview:

Four Thoughts on... Blackpool 2-1 Crystal Palace

For a long time on Saturday it looked like Blackpool would be frustrated by a well-organised makeshift Crystal Palace team. Persistence was rewarded in the end however, and the Seasiders extended their unbeaten league run at home to six games with a 2-1 win. Here are my thoughts on the match:

Forethoughts on Blackpool vs. Crystal Palace

During the blog's summer hiatus, as well as taking a much-needed break from writing, I was keeping myself ticking over thinking of new ideas for features. The loss of chalkboard data that accompanied relegation from the Premier League forced my hand when it came to how matches are reviewed - the Seaside Strategy series of posts were consigned to the past.

The replacement template for match reports would become my 'Four Thoughts on...' series, in which four key themes are picked out to analyse each game. Until now, the reason for settling on the number four has been a little unclear, with one reader, almost angrily, commenting "Why does it always have to be four thoughts? Why do you never have three thoughts, or five?".

The answer, dear reader, should now be a little more transparent upon reading the title of this post and the somewhat unsubtle wordplay therein. It was always my intention that I would expand my coverage by both previewing and reviewing as many fixtures as possible, but for a variety of reasons it has taken until now to launch 'Forethoughts'.

It is hoped this will become a regular feature, and kicking it off is a preview of Saturday's home fixture against Crystal Palace...

Season Visualiser - December Update

With a new year comes another update to the Season Visualiser. This update will focus on the results and the accuracy of the visualiser during the months of November and December, to see if any patterns can be established as we enter the second half of the season.

Loan Report - Tom Barkhuizen

The size of Blackpool's squad this season, combined with the lack of a reserve team and a dearth of behind closed doors friendlies, has resulted in several players going on loan in search of much-needed football. One such player is Tom Barkhuizen, possibly the most-promising youngster on the club's books. Barkhuizen signed on loan for Hereford United towards the end of August, with his initial spell ending earlier this week.

From the outside looking in, it appears to have been a successful move for Barkhuizen, but as yet no decision seems to have been made about his next step. Hereford fan Bobo from Bulls News (@BullsNewsBlog) is keen to see Barkhuizen remain at Edgar Street for the remainder of the season, and has been kind enough to share his considered thoughts on how the young forward has been getting on away from Bloomfield Road. Over to Bobo...

Four Thoughts on... Blackpool 3-0 Middlesbrough

Blackpool began 2012 with a fine 3-0 win over promotion candidates Middlesbrough at a cold Bloomfield Road. Here are my observations from the game: