Post by Tangerine Sherlock on May 2, 2012 16:53:01 GMT 1
This has to be a first but sky reporter Peter Beagrie likes the look of pool
Blackpool are my tip to win the play-offs because they offer something different to the other sides.
Like Birmingham and Cardiff, they lost a lot of players at the start of the season. Charlie Adam (who will be in the Sky Sports studio on Friday night), David Vaughan and DJ Campbell all moved on after relegation, but Ian Holloway has managed to galvanise his troops.
He hasn't compromised his attacking instincts either. Tom Ince has been a revelatory signing, Kevin Phillips has scored goals galore, Gary Taylor-Fletcher has a heart as big as a dustbin lid and Matt Phillips was brought back from his loan spell at Sheffield United at just the right time. He has been a real threat.
But the icing on the cake for them has been the return of Stephen Dobbie from Swansea. He was in the Blackpool ranks the last time they went up, he was a star performer for Swansea's promoted side last year and Holloway will be hoping he's a lucky talisman for them again.
But forget luck. He's a quality player who can operate in tight situations and use his intelligence behind the frontman. He's scored important goals already in their march into fifth place.
On wide open pitches, Blackpool seem to suffer less from nerves because they have so many good individuals who can hit you from all areas.
They have the most attacking options in their armoury and have an incredible belief to go forward. The manager trusts them and they have trust in each other - so that's why they're my favourites to go up.
Blackpool are my tip to win the play-offs because they offer something different to the other sides.
Like Birmingham and Cardiff, they lost a lot of players at the start of the season. Charlie Adam (who will be in the Sky Sports studio on Friday night), David Vaughan and DJ Campbell all moved on after relegation, but Ian Holloway has managed to galvanise his troops.
He hasn't compromised his attacking instincts either. Tom Ince has been a revelatory signing, Kevin Phillips has scored goals galore, Gary Taylor-Fletcher has a heart as big as a dustbin lid and Matt Phillips was brought back from his loan spell at Sheffield United at just the right time. He has been a real threat.
But the icing on the cake for them has been the return of Stephen Dobbie from Swansea. He was in the Blackpool ranks the last time they went up, he was a star performer for Swansea's promoted side last year and Holloway will be hoping he's a lucky talisman for them again.
But forget luck. He's a quality player who can operate in tight situations and use his intelligence behind the frontman. He's scored important goals already in their march into fifth place.
On wide open pitches, Blackpool seem to suffer less from nerves because they have so many good individuals who can hit you from all areas.
They have the most attacking options in their armoury and have an incredible belief to go forward. The manager trusts them and they have trust in each other - so that's why they're my favourites to go up.