A playoff tussle will ensue at the Stadium of Light as Blackpool will want to bounce back against Sunderland

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Following back-to-back defeats for Blackpool, they will see a midweek trip to Sunderland as a chance to reinvigorate their playoff hopes.

Neil Critchley’s side have faced their first real blip in months, losing their 16 game unbeaten streak at Rochdale in midweek before ending their unbeaten home record since October against Shrewsbury on Saturday.

With a vast number of injuries throughout the campaign, this is the first time when they have began to impact the quality of performances by those still fit to don the Tangerine jersey.

The fluidity of Critchley’s 4-2-3-1 has harboured successful results even with makeshift options and the 4-4-2 to a lesser extent has provided a positive impact, but it feels as though individual and creative quality is lacking and with just four games of the regular season to go, it isn’t great timing.

Having said that, Blackpool will take hope from the reverse fixture between the two sides that only took place 10 days ago, where they came out 1-0 winners in a tight fought affair with fine margins between both sides evidencing an ability to cancel each other out.

Goals have dried up for the Seasiders with top scorer Jerry Yates unable to find the target alongside the rest of his teammates in recent times, but the quality and number of chances created has diminished significantly so the issues stem more from the supply line than those finishing up top.

Fatigue has crept in but in a more pivotal capacity, the intensity of their press and bravery on the ball has dropped off which has allowed for a passive and slow tempo to inhibit much of Blackpool’s play.

As much as it may seem doom and gloom with the Seasiders at the moment, as quickly as things can turn stale, they can ultimately turn around at that same speed.

What has been evident throughout this campaign is that Blackpool always step up to the plate when facing top sides in the division. They are third in terms of points won against the top eight, with their issues lying in breaking down compact defences, tending to come from those lower down the division.

Blackpool know Sunderland’s game and they have had the better of them in the first game, and facing a team that will come at them with intensity, will force them to do the same and look to exploit gaps in behind on the counter.

That is where Blackpool thrive and it is exactly the medicine needed to remind the squad exactly why they are in the position they are in with just four games remaining.

Kevin Stewart may return to the fold, albeit on the bench, for this one but any addition is welcomed by Neil Critchley as he struggles for options further up the field to make a difference should things need tweaking mid-game.

Ethan Robson is in line for a start with Elliot Embleton ineligible due to his loan arrival coming from their midweek opponents.

For the hosts they will look to the individual quality that has served them well since Lee Johnson’s arrival, albeit a shaky defensive performance against Accrington proved that they are not an invincible force even at home.

Charlie Wyke, Aiden McGeady and Grant Leadbitter all showed why they are key figures in this Sunderland side in the fixture at Bloomfield Road and they will no doubt have a big say in which way this game goes.

Blackpool are the ones with the pressure on their shoulders heading into this one with Portsmouth breathing down their necks for that final playoff place, but pressure has served Critchley’s side well this campaign and a return to their relentless form here would not be too much of a shock.

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