Another late goal denies Blackpool back to back victories against Plymouth at Bloomfield Road

Neil Critchley will have been happy with his sides’ second half response but another late goal denied what would have been a handy three points.

Plymouth were much the better team in the first half and an opener from former Seasider Ryan Hardie was well deserved.

Blackpool reacted well at half time and two goals through Sullay Kaikai and a Jerry Yates penalty turned things around, until a last minute equaliser through a fine Joe Edwards finish levelled affairs.

The Seasiders will feel aggrieved that yet again a late goal at home has lost them a sure three points but ultimately a draw was a fair result in this one and given the makeshift backline, Blackpool were bound to be less assured on that front.

Argyle came with a gameplan and it was executed well.

Balls over the top of the Tangerine defence have been a vulnerability in recent times, particularly without Marvin Ekpiteta and Daniel Gretarsson and that same issue came to the fore again through the pace of Ryan Hardie.

Warning signs were apparent on a couple of occasions with Jordan Thorniley slow on the turn to react to Hardie’s movement, Thorniley has consistently been suspect positionally, failing to adapt to his opponents to make up for his limitations.

Now, Thorniley has performed well for what he is after being thrown into the deep end during the injury crisis at the back, but it has become increasingly clear that within this system, with the responsibility of a high line and positional sense, he struggles to step up when required.

Thorniley picked up a hamstring injury late in the first half and was hooked at half time for Gretarsson and Blackpool looked like a different team for a large portion of the second half.

It spoke to the resilience the Seasiders have but it also speaks to the ruthless nature of Neil Critchley’s management, adapting to an opponent and resolving issues at half time to change a game.

On a different day Blackpool could have been out of sight before Argyle’s late equaliser but a lack of quality in the final third on the day and a tiring attacking line towards the end of proceedings meant that was not the case.

What has to be acknowledged is the intensity required for this Tangerine system to work.

Off the ball work within the setup is double what the majority of sides in the division are expected to provide and with a relentless fixture list it is hard to keep that up for 90 minutes week in week out.

That is why the midweek break is so important for Blackpool.

Not least because they are hoping to see James Husband and Marvin Ekpiteta back in the fold for the remainder of the run-in allowing that defensive security to return which has been vital to Blackpool’s impressive campaign.

There is confidence flowing through Critchley’s side right now and there is a real sense that even on an off day they do not even consider losing a game.

It is very much a squad game, this season more than any other given the circumstances, and Blackpool have been able to rely on a number of different options to provide cover when needed.

It is because the system is more important than personnel now.

No matter who fills into a position, they know exactly what is expected of that role and there is a designed structure to everything that Blackpool do.

Neil Critchley is thorough and relentless in his approach and it has paid dividends, not least because of the adaptability of the team to tweak based on opponent.

With defenders now coming back it is hard to see a vulnerability to this Blackpool side. They look like they have full faith in what they are trying to do and with a chance to recover before Friday’s trip to Swindon, you can’t help but think they will take the final run-in in their stride.

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