How are Blackpool shaping up ahead of their first pre-season fixture?

With Blackpool’s pre-season campaign getting underway this weekend ahead of their first Championship season since 2014/15, now seems like as good a time as any to see how things are shaping up so far.

The Seasiders have been busy early in the transfer market looking to build from a position of strength in a hope of retaining their place in the division by the end of the campaign, and far beyond that given the club’s longer-term ambitions.

Like their transfer dealings last season, they have opted to act early and bring in players they have been scouting for some time in order to have them bed in and raring to go come kick off.

No fewer than seven signings have arrived at Bloomfield Road with an array of positions strengthened.

Daniel Grimshaw has joined on a permanent deal from Manchester City, the English goalkeeper did not make an appearance for the Premier League champions but appeared on the bench on a couple of occasions alongside a short loan spell at Belgian side Lommel.

Centre half Oliver Casey, who appeared against Blackpool for Leeds U23s in the EFL Trophy, arrives from Elland Road having made an appearance for the senior side and coming highly rated from a top-class youth academy.

Another defensive addition came in the form of former Fleetwood captain Callum Connolly who has made the decision to leave Everton following a number of loan spells elsewhere.

Bolstering the importance of versatility in the squad, Reece James signed from Doncaster where he was a key figure in their albeit short-lived promotion push playing at left back but also in central midfield when required.

Sonny Carey and Josh Bowler joined from Kings Lynn and Everton respectively to add an element of pace and flair to Neil Critchley’s attacking midfield and wide options, whilst prolific goalscorer Shayne Lavery signed from Linfield hoping to offer another outlet alongside Jerry Yates.

What is fundamentally clear with the additions so far is that they all offer the off-the-ball aspects that Critchley demands of his sides.

Each and every outfield signing thrives in a high pressing, aggressive system and has shown that to be the case in the past but they also offer a natural energy that keeps the tempo of that play throughout the 90 minutes.

Reece James is a key signing.

Bringing experience from his time at Wigan and Sunderland before Doncaster, alongside his Manchester United academy experience, he is a cool operator on the ball with good vision to pick a pass alongside his willingness to face up his man out wide.

Having the ability to be defensively sound whilst also offering a threat out wide is vital for any successful wing back, as Luke Garbutt showcased for the Seasiders last campaign and James can offer just that when required.

But he can shuttle in between the lines in a defensive midfield position just as well, being adept at playing in tight spaces which is something that allowed Blackpool to kick on last season through Kenny Dougall, Kevin Stewart and Grant Ward.

Having used the system frequently in 2021, the early additions look to be shaping up to suit a 3-5-2 formation, albeit being able to quickly switch to a 4-3-3 as an alternate and as many Blackpool supporters know, Critchley will look to tweak based on each opponent anyway.

What is vital about the 3-5-2 system is balance and currently Blackpool are without a first team right wing back with Ollie Turton leaving for Huddersfield and Jordan Gabriel’s loan spell from Nottingham Forest having expired.

That being said it looks as if the Tangerines are hoping to entice Gabriel back to Bloomfield Road and, despite Turton being the preferred option in various key matches, Gabriel can offer much more balance to the role and more importantly will offer much more going forward.

Should Gabriel return or a player of similar calibre in that position, in brings much more of a natural width to Blackpool’s play and enables them to efficiently switch from left to right in order to disrupt the opposition off-the-ball work rather than being predictable.

Yet with the additions, Blackpool’s key signings have been those who have extended their stays on the Fylde Coast.

Luke Garbutt, James Husband, Kevin Stewart and Gary Madine have all signed new deals that will bring a continuity to their new Championship campaign.

Being able to call upon those experienced heads who have all had major impacts both on and off the pitch for Neil Critchley is vital in making sure Blackpool can build from a position of strength.

This is the first season in living memory where the club is in a position off the field to be able to capitalise on their success rather than remain stagnant with ulterior motives from owners.

Simon Sadler at the helm will want to keep hold of the club’s key assets in Neil Critchley and Jerry Yates but he will also want to bring in that next level of player that can add the quality required to allow Critchley’s expansive system to work against better opposition.

There is still a fair bit of work to do in order to have a squad that is filled out in each and every position, but the early signs show that Blackpool mean business and are looking to higher aspirations than merely surviving next time out.

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