Source: FOOTYMAD
Pool v Newcastle United Match Preview
Blackpool have been given a huge boost with the news that captain Charlie Adam is fit after a foot injury. They are hopeful that Adam will be partnered in midfield by a fit-again David Vaughan. Blackpool have been given a huge boost with the news that captain Charlie Adam is fit after a foot injury.They are hopeful that Adam will be partnered in midfield by a fit-again David Vaughan after the Welshman missed the last two games with a hip problem. Newcastle's Steve Harper is definitely out so Tim Krul, who impressed in goal against Manchester United, will continue to deputise. Captain Kevin Nolan returns to the side after serving a two-match suspension. Blackpool Doubtful: Vaughan (hip)Injured: Basham (broken leg), Carney (shoulder) Newcastle Injured: Ben Arfa (broken leg), Best & Smith (both ankle), Gosling (knee), Guthrie (shin), Harper (knee) MATCH PREVIEW When victory at St James' Park earlier in the season propelled Blackpool up to fourth place, Seasiders' fans were living the Premier League dream. Confirmation that their dream has turned into something of a nightmare came at home to Wigan last Saturday, where defeat sent them tumbling into the relegation zone for the first time this season. They have deserved a lot better and if they keep going and keep believing in themselves it will turn Blackpool manager Ian Holloway Manager Ian Holloway was aghast at his side's display and is at a loss to explain the slump in form that has seen them win only one of their last 13 matches. With only five games left to save their Premier League status, Holloway says that his team "should be the hungriest dog left in this and we have some scrapping and fighting to do". Saturday's opponents Newcastle picked up an excellent point against Manchester United on Tuesday and managed something Blackpool have failed to do all season, a clean sheet at home. It has been yet another tumultuous season for the Geordies, but one more win should be enough to extend their stay in the top flight, a position Blackpool would love to be in right now. MATCH FACTS Head-to-head • Newcastle last won at Bloomfield Road in April 1971. • This is the 61st meeting between the sides; They have each won 26 matches and there have been eight draws. • Blackpool beat Newcastle 2-0 at St James' Park earlier in the season. Blackpool • Blackpool have lost 12 of their 16 Premier League games since the turn of the year and have the worst home record in the top flight. • They are without a clean sheet in 2011 and have conceded 40 goals in their 16 matches - no other club has let in more than 28 this year. • No side has kept a clean sheet in 16 league matches at Bloomfield Road this season, including Blackpool. The Tangerines are only the second club in top-flight history to do this in their first 16 home matches of the season and the first since Chelsea (19 matches) in 1960/61. • The Seasiders' last three league games at Bloomfield Road have ended as 3-1 defeats. Newcastle • The Magpies have won only two of their last 13 games in league and cup. • After a 0-0 draw with Manchester United, Newcastle are unbeaten in home matches against the Big Four this season, also keeping Chelsea (1-1) and Arsenal (4-4) to draws and defeating Liverpool (3-1). This marks only the fourth time since 1993/1994 that a promoted side has accomplished this feat. • They have scored just 12 goals away from home - the equal fewest in the league with West Brom. • Kevin Nolan has made 299 Premier League appearances. LEADING GOALSCORERS Blackpool Campbell: 11 goals* (11 league); Adam: 10 goals (9 league) *Includes 1 goal (1 league) for Leicester Newcastle Nolan: 12 goals (12 league); Ameobi: 8 goals (5 league) NB. Carroll scored 11 goals (11 league) for Newcastle MATCH OFFICIALS Referee: Martin Atkinson Assistant referees: Peter Kirkup & Mike Mullarkey Fourth official: Anthony Taylor LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS Blackpool (L1-3 v Wigan, h): Gilks, Eardley, Evatt, Cathcart, Crainey, Southern, Adam, Taylor-Fletcher (Beattie 58), Grandin (Phillips 58), Varney (Puncheon 59), Campbell. Subs not used: Kingson, Ormerod, Baptiste, Sylvestre. Newcastle (D0-0 v Man Utd, h): Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Barton, Guthrie, Tiote, Gutierrez, Lovenkrands (Ireland 69), Ameobi (Ranger 72). Subs not used: Soderberg, Perch, Ryan Taylor, Steven Taylor, Kuqi. Source: BBC Sport
