Oxford United welcome Blackpool in the first leg of the League One play-off semi-finals on Tuesday night.
The U’s have defied all odds to achieve a top-six finish, considering Karl Robinson’s side occupied a relegation spot in December.
Ahead of the game, we have spoken to David Whitworth, Blackpool fan and writer at Last Word on Football, and he has kindly answered our questions.
How long have you supported Blackpool?
I have supported Blackpool all my life. My first game was when I was 11 years old. We beat Bradford City at home 2-0 and was hooked ever since.
What were your expectations of the club at the start of the season?
My expectations at the start of the season were to finish in the top ten and to continue to build on the momentum created by our new ownership, followed by a promotion push the following season. So in my eyes, we are ahead of schedule.
But we deserve our place in the playoffs for our 15-game unbeaten run and having beaten the top teams in the division. Now we have to prove it again in our favoured play-offs format which has brought us a lot of joy down the years.
Key player(s) for Blackpool?
Jerry Yates has been crucial with his 20 goals in the league. Ellie Simms has performed very well too, chipping in with eight goals. Sullay Kaikai has had a great season as our top assister with eight in total.
Our defence has been rock solid for most of this calendar year and our goalkeeper Chris Maxwell has been central to that with some key saves at crucial moments.
Any absentees through injury or suspension?
Gary Madine has been a big miss and a player who knows his way around League One. His groin injury has kept him out since the end of January but he is back for the playoffs. Naturally, I hope he adds to his tally of eight goals.
Thoughts on Neil Critchley?
Neil Critchley was a left-field appointment but I have been very impressed by his teams’ performances, how he adapts his formation and the way he speaks with such calmness given any result.
His record with Liverpool U23s shows how he loves to aid the development of our younger players. He has done very well in this first year to finish third, defeat the top teams in the division and reach the fourth round of the FA Cup, only narrowly losing to Brighton.
A word on your teams playing style
We play a very attacking style of football with an emphasis on ball possession, a hallmark of our managers’ past at Liverpool. We play multiple formations, with a favourite being 4-4-2, and are versatile with the whole squad pulling together and doing a job.
Favourite match this season?
My favourite match was when we beat Wigan away (5-0) with some great team goals. It was the back end of January and it was when I thought we have a chance of challenging for the play-offs. And we again timed our run right to make them.
Least favourite match this season?
Being hammered 4-1 by Ipswich Town early in the season. One of our rare off nights, thankfully.
Has playing behind closed doors affected or hindered your team?
I think the fact we have played behind closed doors has not hindered us so much. Obviously, we have missed what is the most important element in football, which are the supporters. But we have managed to get on with it the best we could have hoped.
Thoughts on Oxford?
Oxford United are a good footballing team and respect their manager Karl Robinson. They are last years League One play-off finalists and deserve their play in the playoffs with just one defeat in their last seven games, winning the last three.
I remember at the start of the 2019/20 season, we won 2-1 when the two teams faced each other. But I have never seen a game where the winning team deserved to lose as Oxford dominated for the majority of the game with 70 per cent possession, created 24 shots to our four and had 13 corners to our four. The anomalies of football!
Any Oxford players you would like to see in your team?
James Henry is an experienced player who I would like in my team. His knowledge of this level and the Championship, where has played at Millwall and Wolves, is a great asset, as is his goal-scoring record. Three times in the last four years, he has double figures in midfield so he is one player Blackpool will have to keep an eye on to try and lessen his influence on our matches.
Who do you think will progress to the final?
I am expecting a very exciting and entertaining play-off semi-final, akin to our battle with Nottingham Forest in 2010. Both sides like to attack and play good football.
Although the nerves will be there, I expect both sides to go at it in the same vein and throw caution to the wind. I believe it will be a tight two legs given how our regular league matches went. I think there will be goals as they are two very good footballing sides with Blackpool just shading it overall.
Random fact about your club?
We are the only team, along with Huddersfield Town, to win all three divisional play-offs and have the most promotions through the play-offs since the new millennium.
