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Blackpool further flexed their play-off pursuing muscles on Good Friday during a comprehensive 2-0 victory over relegation threatened Swindon Town.
The Robins had set out their stall from the first whistle, conceding possession to their superior opposition, set up rigidly in an attempt to make it arduous for the visitors to play fluently through the lines.
In fairness, it worked to good affect initially, the Tangerines left largely frustrated during the opening stanza. However, a lethal cocktail of Blackpool persistence mixed with Swindon weariness proved to be the home side’s undoing moments shy of the interval.
Nottingham Forest loanee Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel sent a searching ball into the right channel, which was latched onto by Ellis Simms, who unleashed an unstoppable drive into the far corner from an acute angle.
Having been breached, the hosts were forced into a rethink after the break. Uncomfortably now chasing the matter, the Seasiders class shone through, demonstrating a devastating cutting edge on the counter.
Blackpool doubled their advantage on the hour mark. A beautiful ball over the top from centre-half Daniel Gretarsson pinpointed a masterfully timed run by former Swindon man, Jerry Yates.
His goals whilst on loan from Rotherham United played a pivotal part in Town’s League Two winning campaign last season, and he returned to haunt his former comrades.
Receiving possession, he rounded Lee Camp who had urgently dashed off his line, before coolly slotting home to all but guarantee maximum points would be returning to Lancashire.
In what was a slick, professional performance from Neil Critchley’s side, full-back Luke Garbutt featured as a key cog in the Blackpool machine, an impeccably polished shift from the word go.
Garbutt stood out in more ways than one. Firstly, for his appearance, a prominent black headband encasing flowing locks. Secondly, and more notably, for his undoubted ability. The left-back boasts experience at Premier League level and it showed substantially, as he appeared a cut above teammates and opponents alike.
The Yorkshireman’s discipline and reading of the game is second to none. On the day, he was presented with a daunting challenge in the shape of Swindon’s tricky winger, Jordon Garrick.
However, Garbutt stood up to the test relentlessly, not affording the Jamaican an inch, denying his scuttles down the byline on each and every occasion, much to the 22-year-old’s dismay.
His positional awareness is exemplary, constantly on hand to cover teammates and make himself available to receive passes, ensuring his side maintain possession and continue to employ their free-flowing approach.
Despite his relatively modest standing of 5”10, he excels aerially, rarely beaten in a headed dual and his overall commitment to the cause, regardless of the scenario, can never be brought into disrepute.
As well as forming a cohesive part of Blackpool’s resolute rearguard, one of League One’s stingiest defences (just 32 goals shipped in 36 contests), Garbutt is not shy in getting involved to bolster the Tangerines exploits up the other end of the pitch.
Forever eager to embark upon marauding overlapping runs, testament to his agility and versatility in that he is equally adept deployed as a winger, one particular instance of this ability almost bore fruit during the first period.
“With the style in which the manager wants to play, he predominately sees me as a full-back which is completely normal for me as that’s my normal position.
“I have played as a winger and further forward at times at Ipswich and I’d be happy to do that as well.
As long as I’m being productive for the team and helping the team, I’m happy to play anywhere down that left hand side.” – Garbutt on his role at Blackpool upon signing last September: Blackpool Gazette
The full-back blistered to the touchline before directing a delivery into a deadly portion of the Swindon area. The ball eventually found its way to compatriot Grant Ward, whose effort on the edge of the box flashed inches wide of the left upright.
In only 16 appearances so far this campaign, he has soldered his name on the scoresheet twice, also assisting once, reaffirming his credentials as an attacking outlet.
He also possesses an impressively rangy throwing ability, perhaps not akin to former throw-in extraordinaire Rory Delap but a useful weapon in his armoury nonetheless.
Garbutt made the move to Bloomfield Road on a free transfer in September 2020, curtailing an eleven year association with Everton, the Toffees plucking him from Leeds United’s academy in 2009.
Unfortunately unable to quite make the grade at Goodison Park, he only made five appearances for the Merseyside outfit, practically his entire stay comprising of loan moves elsewhere.
His first foray involved linking up with Cheltenham Town in 2011. Initially a one-month deal, due to his consistently impressive showings, his contract was prolonged on multiple occasions.
It was for the Robins that he made his FA Cup bow, a historic glitz and glamour tie away to Premier League Tottenham Hotspur. In all, he would go on to make 34 appearances whilst with Cheltenham, scoring a first senior goal, a free-kick during a 3-1 away success at Macclesfield.
Returning to his parent club at the end of the campaign, he was farmed out once more in September of the following season, this time to Colchester United. Garbutt accumulated 19 appearances and two goals for the Essex side, before Everton recalled the full-back for cover following Bryan Oviedo’s elongated injury layoff.
Garbutt was provided a glimmer of hope in playing a bigger part at Everton in 2014/15, handed a first start in September’s League Cup exit at the hands of Swansea City. That promise continued as he started the Toffees final two UEFA Europa League group games, playing a part in his side topping their group.
After Leighton Baines sustained an injury, Garbutt’s place in the starting XI was extended and he appeared in the Premier League contest against Arsenal. Increasing opportunities coincided with a new five-year contract and all appeared to be heading in the right direction.
However, that cause for optimism was short-lived, and the next five years were spent away from Goodison Park, Garbutt falling victim to the Everton hierarchy’s refusal to entrust and instead, temporarily move him elsewhere in search of regular football, once again.
Stints at a wrath of Football League sides, including Fulham, Wigan Athletic, Oxford United and Ipswich Town ensued, before Everton ultimately decided to permanently cut ties at the expiration of the aforementioned five-year deal.
A once highly touted prospect, Garbutt has represented England at every level from U-16 right through to U-21. His feats on the international scene included forming a part of the 2010 UEFA European Under-17 Championship winning team. He appeared in the final, a 2-1 scalp of Spain, and his excellent performances earned him a slot in the Team of the Tournament.
Still only 27, Everton’s loss most certainly seems to be Blackpool’s gain and should they secure a play-off spot and successfully navigate their way to a berth in next season’s Championship, one could quite assuredly assume Garbutt to flourish, albeit in one of Europe’s most physically and mentally demanding divisions.
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