Courtesy of my freinds at Seasiders.net. SEASIDERS keeper Tony Caig is set to get the nod ahead of number
one rival Phil Barnes as Pool put their promotion hopes to the test at much-fancied
Cardiff tomorrow.
Caig, 26, who was hard done by when Cardiff claimed a late leveller at Ninian Park last
season, goes back to the scene of the controversy as Pool’s first choice keeper.
Blackpool boss Steve McMahon doesn’t want to get involved in dragging up what
happened at Cardiff last year prior to him joining the club: “That’s history
now,” he said.
But he confirmed Caig, who made his 50th Pool appearance in the opening day win over Hull,
was in line to start tomorrow after kicking off the season above Barnes in the pecking
order.
“I’m not saying Tony Caig is a better keeper than Phil Barnes but he has
performed better than Phil in pre-season and in training. I can only go on what I see.
“I am a firm believer that people who are doing it in training should be given the
chance in games.
“That’s why he’s started and he made an okay start last week,” said
McMahon, who expects his side to be given a stern examination tomorrow.
“This is a different game altogether from last week. It’s going to be a test of
where we are at.
“It’s a good benchmark because I believe Cardiff are going to be up there.
“Training has gone great this week. Everyone is working hard for each other and we’re
looking forward to the game,” said McMahon.
Blackpool add a fit-again Tommy Jaszczun to the squad which won 3-1 at home to Hull.
Midfielder Richard Wellens serves the second of a four-match ban. John Hills and Phil
Thompson are both injured.
BIG Seasiders striker John Murphy
raised the stakes for a starting recall in Saturday’s crunch clash at Cardiff by
continuing his flying start to the season.
Murphy, 23, who scored in Pool’s 1-1 draw at Cardiff last season, warmed up for his
Ninian Park return by celebrating his second goal in as many games in the Reserves’
3-1 win over Scunthorpe.
Having come on as a substitute and scored in the first team’s opening day win over
Hull, Murphy’s latest strike was a timely reminder he’s in contention for a
starting comeback.
Mike Newell was the preferred starting partner for goalscorer Brett Ormerod against Hull.
But Murphy, who played 45 minutes yesterday before being rested, is keeping his name to
the fore as the Tangerines other target man.
Murphy was on the mark with a firm header from just inside the area to put Pool in front
eight minutes before the break.
“It was a great corner from Steve Garvey. He put all the pace on the ball. I just got
my head to it,” said Murphy who was the club’s ten-goal top scorer last season.
There was further good news for Blackpool with left-back Tommy Jaszczun coming through 45
minutes unscathed on his comeback from a hamstring injury before being rested ahead of
Saturday’s clash.
“It was good to see Tommy come through. We are keeping our fingers-crossed there’s
no reaction today,” said coach Mike Davies.
Striker Adam Nowland also had an eventful game. He worked the space for Steve Garvey to
crack Pool’s second, hit the post, had a goal ruled out for a foul, and then saw his
87th minute shot converted on the rebound by John Connors.
But there was bad news for Reserve skipper Phil Thompson whose early season hopes ended in
agony when he suffered a first half injury.
Blackpool-born Thompson, 19, limped off after being on the end of a hard challenge. “He
got a bang on his calf and is likely to be out for a couple of weeks,” said Davies.
Meanwhile 31-year-old Tangerine triallist Tony Dobson was having talks with boss Steve
McMahon today about whether his stay would be extended.
“I have been out with a cartilage injury and I’ve come here to get my fitness
back. Steve McMahon has done me a favour by letting me come and train here. It beats
training on your own,” said central defender Dobson, released by Northampton.
FORMER Blackpool boss Billy Ayre goes
into Saturday’s crunch clash at Cardiff billing both clubs for a berth in the
promotion shake-up.
Ayre, now assistant boss at Cardiff after Bobby Gould took over the reigns, can’t
wait to renew rivalries with his former Seasiders.
And after both clubs got off to a flier with opening day wins, Ayre reckons the two sides
have got what it takes to be in and around the play-offs next May.
“I think all fours sides relegated last season – Blackpool, Cardiff,
Chesterfield and Scunthorpe – are in with a realistic chance of getting straight back
up.
“I’m not saying they will end up being the first four sides in the division,
things don’t work out like that. But I think they will all be competing for
promotion.
“You’ve also got to take into account those who just missed out last year.
Darlington and Brighton are likely to be in contention as are Southend.
“But I believe Blackpool and Cardiff will both be up there competing to bounce
straight back,” said Ayre who says even though it’s early season, Saturday is a
big pointer for both sides.
“They are all big games and this is no exception, especially after both sides did
what was required last Saturday and got off to a winning start.
“We had Blackpool watched in pre-season and against Hull, and the reports are
favourable,” said Ayre.
And he says Cardiff’s 2-1 win at Exeter, and Pool’s opening day win over Hull
has raised the stakes for the Ninian Park head to head which has captured the public
imagination in the Welsh capital.
“There’s massive interest in this game here. With Sam Hamman coming in, us being
unbeaten in pre-season when we won four and drew three, and then winning at Exeter,
expectations are high.
“Tickets have been going quickly. And there could be 10,000-12,000 there which is
getting on for a full house,” said Ayre.
Former Pool midfielder Mark Bonner should be back after injury. Bonner, who came on as a
late sub at Exeter, was being given a run-out as Ayre took a Cardiff Reserve side to
Aberystwyth tonight.
“Mark was unlucky because he had been in the first team all pre-season and in the
last friendly before the season started he suffered a slight thigh strain.
“He wasn’t 100 per cent fit for the Exeter game. But he’s got a few days
training under his belt since then and with the Reserve match tonight he should be OK for
Saturday,” said Ayre.
Cardiff’s left-sided star Andy Legg is back after serving a one-match ban.
