GRANT IRE AS EX BEATS POSH
ANGRY Peterborough boss Grant McCann accused his players of lacking intelligence and nous after his free-scoring side were downed by ex-Posh striker Kyle Vassell.
Meanwhile, Blackpool manager Gary Bowyer was left to commend a sterling team effort.
Peterborough rarely looked like adding to the five goals they rattled past Tranmere in an FA Cup replay on Wednesday whilst Vassell’s 21st-minute shot sealed a deserved win.
McCann said: “We didn’t get near Blackpool in the first half. Some of our players thought they’d cracked it after five games unbeaten.
“I take responsibility as manager but the players must take some responsibility as well.
“They lacked intelligence and nous. Marcus Maddison was causing problems but we continually turned down giving him the ball.
“Jack (Marriott) should have scored twice in the first half. It was that kind of ruthless edge we were missing.”
Two sides committed to playing passing football contrived to frustrate as the game never quite hit the heights.
That’s no criticism of Bowyer’s men however, as they defended excellently.
The delighted Blackpool manager said: “We were very, very good. There were positives both from the result and performance.
“Kyle was desperate to come here and do well and he has done that.
“I’ve looked at the video and it was a fantastic team goal – the pass by Sean Longstaff was unbelievable.
“All the back four were outstanding and the goalkeeper (Ryan Allsop) made a couple of good saves.”
Blackpool came within inches of a first-minute lead as Will Aimson’s powerful header was cleared off the line by Leo Da Silva Lopes.
Marcus Maddison’s slick turn set Posh moving in the 16th minute but Allsop denied Jack Marriott with an important parry.
Impressive midfielder Sean Longstaff played in Vassell five minutes later and the former Posh striker’s angled finish took a nick off Steven Taylor on its way into goal.
Marriott Blackpool goal from distance and Michael Doughty’s rising shot was tipped over by Allsop but the visitors were always a threat with their slick passing.
Taylor got in a vital block to deny Vassell a possible second and Longstaff ’s 20-yarder was turned aside by Conor O’Malley in first-half injury-time.
Posh tried to raise the tempo but, although substitute Gwion Edwards twice went close to levelling from crosses by Da Silva Lopes and Maddison, they were unable to carve out clear openings against a disciplined Blackpool back four. And the final chance fell to Posh substitute Jermaine Anderson, who drove over from 15 yards deep into injury-time.