New old man takes over at Bloomfield Rd.

 Well, they say a week is a long time in politics, the same I could argue applies to football management as well. Only last week I was lamenting on the demise in the fortunes of Michael Appleton's tenure as Blackpool's Head Coach. Never a popular choice of many fans, but like I previously said whoever is appointed as Head Coach I would back them, but after the lack lustred performance against Watford I too came to the conclusion it was time Appleton went. Losing and alienating the fanbase is as bad as losing the dressing room (which might have happened too?) and the lack of passion and motivation on the touchline was another contributary facture. 

So, on Wednesday it was announced by the club that Mick McCarthy was to be installed as the new Head Coach along with Terry Connor as his second in command with immediate effect. 

The appointment came as a surprise to many after a number of names had been mentioned as possible replacements, but on the whole having someone with the experience McCarthy has swung it for him and more importantly he was a popular choice with the majority of the fans. I think it was imperative an experienced coach took over rather than having another untested rookie taking the reins because of the dire position we currently occupy and the danger of the points gap widening with the teams above us. Both men will be in charge until the end of the season with the aim of keeping us in the Championship. Whether they both continue in the role will no doubt depend on how successful or unsuccessful they are. 

Their first opportunity to see the players in action came on Saturday against fellow strugglers Huddersfield Town at Bloomfield Rd. Whether fate took a hand in proceedings we'll never know, but the game was called off late morning due to the pitch being frozen over despite efforts by the ground staff who had covered the pitch and placed heaters on it to get it into a playable state. On a personal level this news came too late for me to cancel my train journey to the ground and it was only when I reached Preston I heard it was off. I know the interest and enthusiasm generated by Appleton going and McCarthy taking over had reached a level on a par with the first homecoming game after the Oystons had departed. It was so noticeable how everyone I spoke to were determined to come and fill the ground in the hope our fortunes would change for the better. Only time will tell but at least now the passion and optimism has returned. #UTMP