Championship preview - Blackpool

Here we go again, the second installment of our Championship preview. Today I will be looking at Blackpool.

First off I would like to say a very big thank you to Blackpool for super Wes Hoolahan. He was the most wanted and talked about player this summer for Norwich fans and I for one am extremely excited to have him in the side. So Will Blackpool miss Wes?

Hoolahan. The tricky winger joined Norwich this summer.

Yes they will. He was hugely influential for the seasiders last year. Blackpool also look like losing defensive rock Kaspar Gorkss. Kaspar's destination is unknown as yet but there are no shortage of teams lining up for him and he has a clause in his contract that appears to have been triggered by many suitors. So how will they do this year?

It will be very tough. They flirted with relegation last year and just survived, finishing 19th. They will need a similar effort this season to stay up. Attacking wise they have have improved greatly signing Steve Kabba on loan from Sheffield United and he could play along side the much hated ankle biting goal thief Paul Dickov or ex-Hull striker Ben Burges. If Dickov decides to sign on permanent terms Blackpool will boast bags of experience BUT a strike partnership with a combined age of 60 or 62 and that could prove a factor as the season develops.

Off the field it has just been announced this week by President Valerie Belokon that work will begin to add another 3500 seats to Bloomfield Rd. According to the statement this work is suppossed to be a "clear signal to potential new players and the football industry that Blackpool are serious contenders to advance further!" Based on their signings so far it looks as if they will need more than 3500 seats to persuade decent players to join them.

Bloomfield Rd. Will expansion yield persuasive powers?

This summer Blackpool also added the much traveled Jermaine Wright after he was released from Southampton, but at 32 I doubt he will be an impact player at Bloomfield Road. I like Stephen Crainey AND Claus Jorgensen in the Blackpool midfield but I just don't see enough in their squad to convince me that they will be able to push on without Gorkss (6 goals from the back - joint 2nd!), Hoolahan (5 goals- joint 3rd) terrorizing defenders and a frontline featuring the aging Dickov, Kabba and Burgess (9 league goals-top scorer). Not enough there for an improved season. A lack of goals and a very average looking defence means...Sorry Blackpool.... Down you go.

-Bigus

UPDATE: It looks as if Dickov is snubbing Blackpool and Leicester for the MLS...