Joy of six could be season’s turning point – Blackpool’s win over QPR analysed

Blackpool boosted their Championship survival hopes with a stunning 6-1 win over QPR at Bloomfield Road.

A Jerry Yates penalty, Andy Lyons double and further strikes from Curtis Nelson, Jordan Thorniley and Kenny Dougall gave the Seasiders their biggest win of the season. Mick McCarthy’s side are now just three points from safety with Coventry City next up at home on Saturday.

Turning point…?

A response was desperately needed after Saturday’s Bristol City horror show, and Mick McCarthy was duly rewarded with Blackpool’s best performance of the season.

The Seasiders’ boss rung the changes to the starting XI, making no less than six with each of them massively contributing to a dynamic, positive and energetic display.

From the first whistle Blackpool had their opponents on the ropes with their approach belying a side who had only won once in their last 19 league outings. It was free-flowing, vibrant, energetic and exuberant with no hint of the final third hesitancy evident at Ashton Gate and, as the goals flew in, the overheard kicks and backheels came out.

McCarthy had spoken about this week being ‘make or break’ for his side’s survival chances and while this win was vital, the confidence-boosting manner of its delivery could make it the turning point of Blackpool’s season.

Yates sets the tone…

Heading into the game, Jerry Yates was a forward devoid of confidence, having failed to score a league goal in 18 appearances and missing a gilt-edged chance against Bristol City at the weekend.

So to step-up and take Blackpool’s third minute penalty showed tremendous courage – especially considering he missed the last spot-kick he took against Swansea back in August.

With the game sewn up at 5-1, McCarthy also smartly substituted Yates to avoid running the risk of picking up a tenth yellow card of the campaign and a subsequent suspension for Saturday’s visit of Coventry.

Yates’ goal should do the world of good for his confidence and, with fellow forward Gary Madine sidelined, the onus will be on him to come up with the goods for the remainder of the campaign.

Fiorini’s redemption…

After being left out of the matchday squad at Bristol City due to ill-discipline, Lewis Fiorini’s return to the starting line-up offered the on-loan Manchester City player an immediate chance of redemption.

And, alongside fellow youngster Charlie Patino, Fiorini did not disappoint – adding much-needed creativity to Blackpool’s midfield with his positive and forward-thinking approach.

Nevertheless, the 20-year-old was arguably at fault for QPR’s solitary goal as he looked to play a ‘Hollywood’ cross-field ball to CJ Hamilton which was easily intercepted by Osman Kakay.

But if he can learn when to play the killer pass and when to keep it simple, there’s no doubt he has a big part to play in Blackpool’s survival fight.

Irish eyes are smiling…

In a week where Irish film ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ was ignored at The Oscars, it would be doubly-wrong not to acknowledge the stellar performances of Andy Lyons and CJ Hamilton.

The Irishmen combined to put Blackpool 2-0 in front after just 11 minutes when Lyons met Hamilton’s superb drag-back to fire home.

Lyons then added his second just after the interval and although he was brilliantly denied a hat-trick by QPR keeper Seny Dieng, it was a stunning display by a 22-year-old still getting to grips with Championship football.

Similarly, Hamilton was relentless down the left-hand side, causing a multitude of problems for the QPR defence with the hope this will be the start of a successful and consistent run in the side.

Goal difference could be key…

While the win was the most important thing, with every goal Blackpool scored, their goal difference became increasingly more attractive.

With +5 goals on the night, it now sees Blackpool on a total goal difference of -15 and just two away from Cardiff City’s (-13).