Following a 2-1 away defeat to Wigan Athletic, Sunderland travel to Blackpool. To find out how the Tangerines are getting on, we caught up with Blackpool fan Lee Charles..
He won't be playing against us, but how is Embleton getting on?
"He's doing great, it's a massive shame he won't be able to play. He's made a big difference to the team and, to be honest, I can't believe you let us have him! Ollie Turton, who is currently playing at right-back, may move into his spot as he seems to be able to play everywhere! That would mean we aren't as attacking, however, as Embleton's pressing is important to us going forward."
How do you tend to set up?
"One of two ways: either a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1. Gerry Yates and Ellis sims tend to play as a front-two as Gary Medine is out injured. If it's 4-2-3-1, Yates would probably be a lone-striker in-front of a three. Critchley likes to tinker around, so expect the unexpected!"
Who are the key players in Blackpool's squad?
"Gerry Yates, who’s on fire at the moment despite having not scored in the last two games. Ellis Sims, who is on loan from Everton, is played in a role to hold the ball up-front like Gary Medine, but he just can't do it like him. On his day, Kaikai is great on the left, is unplayable but he isn't always on his day! Freddie, who I review the game with, says it's almost as if he has a twin-brother and, if he turns up, he won't have a great game. We can occasionally be an aerial threat from set-pieces, too. If you keep Yates, Sims and Kaikai quiet, we'll probably struggle to score."
Are there any key weaknesses?
"It seems as if, if there's an injury, Critchley can just put a different player in and they can cope. We usually develop a scape-goat, but I can honestly say there isn't a single player I don't like this season. We're missing some valuable players, such as CJ Hamilton, but we've changed the system and coped. Our weakness seems to be the last ten minutes, which comes from a lack of squad depth. If you make subs towards the end and throw the kitchen sink at us, that's probably the way to beat us. Sometimes we can attack too much, as well, such as against Lincoln, when we were 2-0 up and pushing for a third but ended up drawing 2-2."
How confident are you going into the last games of the season?
"Never, I'm a Blackpool fan! I can't say I'm confident, but I'm optimistic. These two fixtures against you are season-defining, to me."
Score prediction
"We need it, and I need it! I'm going to say 2-0 to Blackpool."
With the devastating news of Dion Sanderson's back injury, Bailey Wright looks set to start again after a very rusty first game back. After making his first start since December and likely being substituted off due to fitness concerns in our previous game, Denver Hume appears a likely option to start at left-back.
Max Power failed to mark a single player in the lead-up to both of Wigan's goals on Tuesday and Luke O’Nien appears to be experiencing a dip in form at the back, notably offering little-to-no resistance to Will Keane for the Latic’s equaliser on Tuesday. However, with Connor McLaughlin also unavailable continuing to start midfielders at the back may be our only option. A poor attacking display, against a Wigan side that have conceded 68 goals this season has led to calls for the return of Chris Maguire.
Undefeated in their last fifteen games, Neil Critchley's side have turned into a side very hard to beat. With a mountain to climb standing between us and automatic promotion, the importance of this game could be to look to build momentum heading into the play-offs, as well as gain a psychological advantage in the first of two games against a potential opponent! I'm going to predict a 1-1 draw.
