SAFC v Blackpool (H) Preview

Blackpool visits to the Stadium of Light tomorrow, with SAFC looking to get back to winning ways following defeat at Manchester United on Boxing Day. Blackpool haven't played for a while. Will they be fresh or sluggish? I'm hoping the latter...

SAFC Team News:

Craig Gordon, for me, did nothing wrong against Manchester United on Boxing Day. He was helpless for both goals, which should have been stopped with better defending. No reason for him not to continue in goal for the Blackpool game.

In defence, despite them being pretty woeful against United, I’m sure they can put things right against Blackpool. Elmohamady should continue at right back, as I don’t foresee Angeleri making a push for a starting role, despite his incredibly brief appearance against United. Phil Bardsley should continue at left-back, with Onouha & Ferdinand in the centre. We’re told Titus Bramble is back in full training, which is obviously great news, but I’d still continue on as normal. Titus is a huge player for us, and if he aggravates the injury further by rushing him back, we could be fecked for a few more months.

Into midfield now, where Cattermole & Welbeck should walk straight back into the team. They were both huge losses against United, Cattermole in particular. The two obvious candidates to miss out would be Riveros & Zenden. Riveros failed to make much impression against United, and Bruce will probably take him out. I’d give Riveros a second chance, but I’m second guessing Bruce here. Zenden, for all his ability and his endeavour, I don’t think is up to playing two games in three days at his age. Meyler could also feature having had another run out on Boxing Day, and Richardson could shake off the Flu. However, if Richardson does have flu, like I did a few days ago, he won’t be taking any part.

Both Bent and Gyan looked out of sorts against Man United, but we’ve got to play them. They should cause more problems for Blackpool than they managed against United.

Bruce’s Probable Team:
Gordon; Elmohamady, Onouha, Ferdinand, Bardsley; Welbeck, Cattermole, Henderson, Malbranque; Bent, Gyan.

My team:
Gordon; Elmohamady, Onouha, Ferdinand, Bardsley; Welbeck, Cattermole, Riveros, Henderson, Gyan, Bent.

From the Blackpool side:

Well, I don’t know what to say about Blackpool, they haven’t played since December 11^th! However what we do know is, they won’t be afraid coming to the Stadium of Light, and have had some tremendous results on the road this season, so they’re more than capable of giving us a good game.

Holloway likes to go on the offensive, and I think they will in this game, leading to a very open game. I’m hopeful our back line will be able to cope with the roving attack of DJ Campbell , Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Luke Varney.

On a plus side for SAFC, Blackpool will be without arguably their best player, Charlie Adam. Who due to all the recent cancellations, is still waiting to serve a one game suspension.

Predictions:

I think it should be an open and attacking game. I do think we’ll just be slightly too strong for Blackpool (mind, plenty teams have thought like this), and we’ll come away with the points.

In my crystal ball, I can see a 3-1 victory for SAFC. Bent finally getting back on the score sheet with a double and a belter from Gyan sandwiched in between.

DJ Campbell with a late offering for the visitors.

Ha’way the lads. Let’s get back on track. We need 6 points from this game and Blackburn, so let’s get the first part of that mission out the way.