Twin Targets For AFC Blackpool
Tue 16th March 2010 | AFC Blackpool | By Ian Templeman
After a rocky start to the season, AFC Blackpool have hit a good run of form since Christmas.
Prior to last Saturday's defeat to Atherton Collieries, the Seasiders had lost just twice in nine games, and as well as moving steadily up the league table they also clinched a place in the Division One Trophy semi final. Manager Stuart Parker says he is happy with the way the tide has turned in favour of his side.
"If you look at the first eight league games of the season we lost seven and drew one, and in our last 14 games we've picked up 26 points. Now that's not quite the average of two points a game that you need to put you in the mix, but if we had started like that we'd have been in a better position now.Â
"In saying that, I felt we were a bit unfortunate to lose some of the games we lost early on. But like everyone else in the league, it's about what you do over a whole season, and we're obviously stronger now than we were at the start of the season".
Although new players have come in to The Mechanics over the course of the season, Stuart insists that he was never tempted to make wholesale changes when they were struggling for results.
"I always felt we had the nucleus of a good side to begin with, it was just a case of bringing people in bit by bit to benefit us.Â
"We've got Marc Beattie back, who has got his concentration back and has shown real threat for us up front. We also have Matty Muscroft who was also at Squires Gate but has come back to us now and he gives us that physical strength alongside Mark Ashall in midfield. Ciaran Donnelly has been outstanding for us in the past ten games, and another good addition has been Micky Horsfall from AFC Fylde.Â
"Mick is a tremendous player and brings something different to the table. He's got experience and quality, although he has a bit of a problem with sciatica at the moment, which is why he didn't start in the cup win against Chadderton. But provided he keeps his enthusiasm, when he is readily available he will be a regular starter in the side".
Stuart also feels that the progress AFC Fylde and Fleetwood have made in recent years has, in some ways, made it easier for him to attract players to The Mechanics.
"Squires Gate and ourselves are now on fairly equal footing, as AFC Fylde and Fleetwood have moved on and are out of sight of us. The route those two clubs have taken means they were always going to need some of the younger players to get experience, and also there are always going to be some players who are not going to make it with them but can do a job for us.Â
"We've developed a good relationship with both of the clubs, and when our squad has been a bit depleted, which will happen as it's not a big squad, we've had some quality lads come in from those clubs to help us out. We knew as these teams moved on there would be players who we could tap into and that's how it's turned out".
As far as the rest of the season is concerned, Stuart has his eye both on cup and league targets, and he was especially pleased with his side's hard fought win in the Division One Trophy Quarter Final. Â
"Chadderton are a typical battling side, and they showed tremendous spirit on the day. I thought we had the edge overall, created two or three good chances and defensively we were solid.
"I'd like us to have played a bit more football, but the pitch was a bit bobbly, but it was a tough game, we came through it well and we're delighted to be in the semi final.
"In the league, the first target would be a top eight finish, and maybe a top six finish, which from where we have been for the past two seasons would be outstanding. It would also mean that we have carried on at an average of about two points a game since the first eight games.Â
"So if we hit that, and then can keep the squad together and bring a few younger players in that are coming through the ranks, then we'd be looking at progressing again and maybe next season hopefully be challenging for the top four".Â
Twin Targets For AFC Blackpool
Tue 16th March 2010 | AFC Blackpool
By Ian Templeman
After a rocky start to the season, AFC Blackpool have hit a good run of form since Christmas.
Prior to last Saturday's defeat to Atherton Collieries, the Seasiders had lost just twice in nine games, and as well as moving steadily up the league table they also clinched a place in the Division One Trophy semi final. Manager Stuart Parker says he is happy with the way the tide has turned in favour of his side.
"If you look at the first eight league games of the season we lost seven and drew one, and in our last 14 games we've picked up 26 points. Now that's not quite the average of two points a game that you need to put you in the mix, but if we had started like that we'd have been in a better position now.Â
"In saying that, I felt we were a bit unfortunate to lose some of the games we lost early on. But like everyone else in the league, it's about what you do over a whole season, and we're obviously stronger now than we were at the start of the season".
Although new players have come in to The Mechanics over the course of the season, Stuart insists that he was never tempted to make wholesale changes when they were struggling for results.
"I always felt we had the nucleus of a good side to begin with, it was just a case of bringing people in bit by bit to benefit us.Â
"We've got Marc Beattie back, who has got his concentration back and has shown real threat for us up front. We also have Matty Muscroft who was also at Squires Gate but has come back to us now and he gives us that physical strength alongside Mark Ashall in midfield. Ciaran Donnelly has been outstanding for us in the past ten games, and another good addition has been Micky Horsfall from AFC Fylde.Â
"Mick is a tremendous player and brings something different to the table. He's got experience and quality, although he has a bit of a problem with sciatica at the moment, which is why he didn't start in the cup win against Chadderton. But provided he keeps his enthusiasm, when he is readily available he will be a regular starter in the side".
Stuart also feels that the progress AFC Fylde and Fleetwood have made in recent years has, in some ways, made it easier for him to attract players to The Mechanics.
"Squires Gate and ourselves are now on fairly equal footing, as AFC Fylde and Fleetwood have moved on and are out of sight of us. The route those two clubs have taken means they were always going to need some of the younger players to get experience, and also there are always going to be some players who are not going to make it with them but can do a job for us.Â
"We've developed a good relationship with both of the clubs, and when our squad has been a bit depleted, which will happen as it's not a big squad, we've had some quality lads come in from those clubs to help us out. We knew as these teams moved on there would be players who we could tap into and that's how it's turned out".
As far as the rest of the season is concerned, Stuart has his eye both on cup and league targets, and he was especially pleased with his side's hard fought win in the Division One Trophy Quarter Final. Â
"Chadderton are a typical battling side, and they showed tremendous spirit on the day. I thought we had the edge overall, created two or three good chances and defensively we were solid.
"I'd like us to have played a bit more football, but the pitch was a bit bobbly, but it was a tough game, we came through it well and we're delighted to be in the semi final.
"In the league, the first target would be a top eight finish, and maybe a top six finish, which from where we have been for the past two seasons would be outstanding. It would also mean that we have carried on at an average of about two points a game since the first eight games.Â
"So if we hit that, and then can keep the squad together and bring a few younger players in that are coming through the ranks, then we'd be looking at progressing again and maybe next season hopefully be challenging for the top four".Â
