Blackpool looked like they came here with the sole purpose of not to concede, bar a 15 minute spell in the 1st half they pretty much sat back, time wasted and hoped for a 0-0. Blackpool left 1 up top whilst the rest got back to cram the space for us to try and open them up which meant they could double up on some of our attackers and stop us getting through.
Jackett's decision to take Henry off and bring Afobe on is what changed the game, we started getting through them a lot more and was able to get more crosses in, until Afobe came on they had 3 marking Dicko out the game, they opened up more with Afobe being closer to Dicko and reducing the number of defenders solely marking Dicko.
Ikeme - Didn't have a great deal to do, flapped at a couple freekicks delivered into the box in 1st half but other than that had an easy afternoon.
Iorfa - Very impressive, for a centre-back playing fullback he is almost as good as our wingers with the ball at his feet which you combine with his height, strength and pace, he's got a big future ahead of him, I think his pace helps Batth a tremendous amount as he can cover the spaces Doherty couldn't which makes us a better unit.
Batth - Had a good game, cleared what needed clearing, headed what needed heading, passing was a bit poor but I can't hold it against him it isn't something he looks comfortable with.
Stearman - Lost out on a few heading duals against Davies but wasn't troubled with anything else.
Hause - Unlike Iorfa who I think could pass as a fullback to someone who didn't know him, Hause very much looks like a centre-back playing fullback, he was good defensively but struggled to offer anything in an attacking sense.
McDonald - Recycled possession well, switched the play to other side well ect like he always does but lacked that drive today to push us forward to attack until last 20 mins.
Price - Exactly like McDonald, I don't expect price however to drive us forward but he picked out some good passes today, with a good pass through for VLP to cross for Edwards goal.
VLP - Looked frustrated he couldn't get the better of his fullback for large parts of the game, everything he tried just didn't work out for him but at the same time everything was through him today as Henry offered nothing on the other wing, credit VLP for not letting his head drop and last 20 mins he got more freedom to run and cross as they stopped marking him as closely.
Henry - Might as well not have been on the pitch today, was very poor and quiet afternoon for him.
Edwards - My MOTM, not for scoring but the fact he was everywhere today, he was fully up for it today getting stuck in, trying to force us forward to attack, messed up when he got through and either tried to shoot or pass across to Dicko and resulted in neither but that was his only fault today, had a quiet 20 mins after Afobe came on when he was moved onto right wing but started coming inside behind dicko and afobe and got back into the game.
Dicko - Was getting frustrated at a lack of delivery and having to try and lose 3 markers all game, started to get free in the box more with Afobe on the pitch and was unlucky not to get on the end of 1/2 low crosses from VLP.
Subs
Afobe - Played well, looks direct, fast, motivated and very composed with the ball at his feet whilst was desperately looking for a pass the back of the defence which just never came unfortunately for him. Composed on his goal, was still nervous when gk missed the ball and he was running towards the goal from an angle to score open goal, seen people take to long and get tackled or fluff it wide before but he sealed the game for us.
Doherty - I presume he was brought on for Hause to try and offer us something more on the left going forward but didn't need to as we pretty much scored directly after his introduction.
EEL - Wasn't on very long to really review
Also thought Edwards celebration was top draw from him today to kiss the black armband and raise it to the southbank.
