Blackpool secure third place with a professional performance against Bristol Rovers

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Blackpool looked to the in-form Ellis Simms to secure third spot as they rested key men ahead of their play-off tie against Oxford United.

Simms came on as a second-half substitute for young debutant Brad Holmes and made an instant impact after a well-worked move saw him place home an elegant side-foot volley to ensure Blackpool kept the momentum going into post-season.

Around 500 Blackpool supporters waited outside Bloomfield Road in order to show their appreciation to the squad and manager who are within three games of a return to the Championship after a six-year absence.

Since the turn of the year, the Tangerines have only conceded 16 goals in League One, with their next opponents Oxford, who sneaked into the final spot ahead of Portsmouth on the final day, next best with 29 conceded.

A lot of the stability in defence and clinical edge, when required in the forward areas, was missing against Joey Barton’s Bristol Rovers as Neil Critchley rang the changes, keeping things fresh for the first-leg at the Kassam Stadium on 18th May.

Chris Maxwell, the first choice goalkeeper who picked up his golden glove award before kick-off, was left out of the squad entirely as Critchley opted to give backup shot-stopper Stuart Moore his debut for Blackpool.

Top goalscorer Jerry Yates had a much-needed rest, whilst the likes of Dan Ballard, Ollie Turton and the match-winner Ellis Simms found their place on the bench.

Despite the long list of absentees which included Sullay Kaikai, Grant Ward, Matty Virtue and CJ Hamilton, Blackpool controlled much of the game with a major boost coming in the form of Keshi Anderson’s quick return to action.

Anderson looked like he had never been away as his silky interplay gave the Tangerines a platform to build on and set the tone in terms of intensity and tempo of their play throughout proceedings.

Match that with the sheer pace and direct drive of Demetri Mitchell and Jordan Gabriel and it enabled the Seasiders to overrun their Bristolian counterparts for large stages of play, particularly down the right-hand side.

Mitchell impressed much like Anderson with many of the bit-part players staking a claim for a starting spot as the club head into their season showdown with Oxford.

The biggest boost of all came as a surprise to many.

Gary Madine had been missing for nearly three and a half months and was expected to be heading for an operation after numerous setbacks with his groin injury, but his name was listed on the bench for this one.

Now if there was ever a major boost heading into a play-off semi-final, having the man who formed such a lethal partnership with Yates back in the fold is exactly that.

Whilst his ten-minute spell at the end of the game did not raise any eyebrows in terms of performance, getting up to speed and being able to provide another attacking option on a bench that has severely lacked that in recent weeks is massive for Critchley.

Following the game, the squad lined up at the window of the directors’ box overlooking the large group of fans that had patiently waited to show their support for what has been a fantastic first year in management for Critchley, regardless of how it now ends.

The raw emotion on the managers’ face was there for all to see as he took on the adoring chants of his name outside, being the last to leave and soaking up the admiration.

It has to be remembered that Blackpool signed 19 players at the start of the campaign, the bulk of which make up the strongest XI of the season, meaning fans have never been able to witness them play in the flesh.

What struck home is that Pool supporters have formed a bond and connection with a side from the comfort of their own homes, a team that has allowed them to dream once more, and now the players realise just how much that has meant to them.

It is hard to argue against a relentless Blackpool going all the way now, after all, they are the most successful side in play-off history.

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