Blackpool face another major test as Fulham come to town on Saturday afternoon

Blackpool face their toughest Championship test to date as they take on Marco Silva’s flying Fulham.

The Seasiders have shown signs of improvement in recent league outings, probably still scratching their heads as to how they came away from Millwall without a point to show for their efforts following Callum Connolly’s early red card.

As for the visitors, they top the league table on goal difference following their impressive 3-0 win over Stoke City, who themselves have been one of the best sides in the division so far.

That sort of ruthlessness in front of goal is not what the Tangerines want to see as they await their first victory of the Championship campaign.

However, they can now begin to build consistency following a positive end to the transfer window.

Jordan Gabriel returned on a permanent deal from Nottingham Forest following his loan last season, alongside Chelsea loanee Dujon Sterling which will bring a solidity and quality to the right back spot that has been occupied by fill-in Connolly who can now slot into his rightful position at centre half.

Connolly of course facing a suspension will miss this tie but that does not cause much concern given the strength available in the centre half position.

Marvin Ekpiteta and Daniel Gretarsson are expected to revive their partnership which arguably coincided with Blackpool’s best run of performances in League One, which has been a long time coming given the injury absences for both at various times.

CJ Hamilton will be missing long term as he is off to have further surgery on a foot problem that has plagued the start of his season, as well as Grant Ward who had successful surgery but is not expected to return until 2022.

That injury to Ward leaves Blackpool light in central midfield and with their attempts to purchase Cameron Brannagan and latterly Matt O’Riley from Oxford United and MK Dons respectively falling through on deadline day, they are praying that Kevin Stewart and Kenny Dougall can remain injury free until the January window.

On a more positive note, Owen Dale arrived late on deadline day to add extra support in the wide areas with an ability to play on either flank, helping to ease the pain of losing Hamilton but also to have a natural winger on the left-hand side, allowing Keshi Anderson to play in his natural number ten position.

Being able to use players in their natural positions will be a source of comfort for Neil Critchley who can now provide full focus on setting up his side in an astute tactical fashion that will be able to compete with a top side.

He did this well away at Bournemouth where the Seasiders could well have picked up all three points in the second half after they recovered from 2-0 down.

Pressing from the front and playing with intensity in midfield brought about the turn in the tide at Bournemouth and similar from the off will be required here if Blackpool want to pick up anything.

Fulham have a number of assets in their arsenal with Aleksandar Mitrovic resuming his goalscoring exploits of the club’s last Championship campaign with four goals and two assists in five games.

19-year-old Fabio Carvalho is another attacking player who has provided a spark for a free-flowing team with three goals in five appearances.

But it is not just going forward where Fulham thrive with what could easily be Premier League quality players, in central midfield they can rely on the top level experience of Jean Michael Seri who has walked the early stages of the season.

Josh Onomah is another who, despite seeing limited opportunities after promotion to the Premier League, has quickly reinvigorated himself in the comforts of the Championship.

Denis Odoi and Antonee Robinson provide further attacking outlets from wing back, without compromising on their ability to defend also.

Those two wing back positions will be key in this contest.

Blackpool’s main outlet this season has been Josh Bowler on the right flank, but with Owen Dale coming in and positionally starting from the left, it enables both wings to showcase their sheer pace and directness in order to pin back those Fulham options.

Should Bowler and Dale successfully occupy Odoi and Robinson then this may well be a closer contest than expected, particularly if Anderson is pulling the strings in the ten position, but it strikes me as another game to learn and grow as a team.

A good performance against what may well be the strongest side in the division will breed confidence regardless of the scoreline on Saturday afternoon.

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