Blackpool-based journalist says Neil Critchley denied promotion by 'fine margins'

New Hearts boss Neil Critchley’s most recent spell in management was hindered by a ‘hit and miss’ tactical approach but fine margins denied him another triumphant promotion, according to a reporter who covered the campaign.

Amos Wynn of the Blackpool Gazette followed the ups and downs of the Bloomfield Road men and described a frustrating second term at the club for Critchley.

With the 45-year-old making a quick return to the dugout by replacing Steven Naismith at Tynecastle, Wynn reflected on where it went wrong for him on his return to the Seasiders.

The football writer said: “He returned to Blackpool last summer after initially being successful, earning promotion in his first spell and being solid in the Championship.

“[Last season] was tough at times, it was hit and miss. He had a set way he wanted to play which sometimes clicked and sometimes didn’t.

“They just missed out on the play-offs and his time came to end earlier this season after only two league games which were back-to-back defeats to newly promoted sides.

“Even though last year wasn’t a success, it came down to fine margins where they missed out on the final day whereas if they had won against Reading they would have been in the play-offs.

“It could have been a completely different story given Blackpool and Neil Critchley’s history with the play-offs. They could have been in the Championship again now and things could have been a lot different.”

Wynn described a tough atmosphere on Critchley’s return to Blackpool with many supporters still unimpressed with the adrupt nature of his departure in 2022.

Critchley had led them to English League One play-off glory and a solid season in the Championship when he left to join Steven Gerrard’s coaching staff at Aston Villa.

Wynn said: “I think even before a ball was kicked last season he wasn’t popular with some fans. He had left suddenly after his second full season, which was a good year in the Championship.

“The potential was there for Blackpool to become a firm fixture in that league and then he made a decision to go to Villa, so some people hadn’t forgiven him for that.

“There was a lot of disappointment – some people just weren’t behind him from the start and he lost a few people along the way as well.”

As well as a simmering resentment from some quarters of the Bloomfield Road stands, Critchley also struggled to win over fans with his tactical approach.

The coach heavily favoured a 3-5-2 system employing wing backs and emphasising building out from the defence with possession.

Wynn said: “He was always adamant it wasn’t the system that was the problem but the way that they were executing it. He always remained confident about what it could achieve.

“There were some positive signs, it wasn’t all doom and gloom last season. There was a 4-0 win away to Portsmouth, there were victories against Bolton, Barnsley – some of the big teams in the competition who Blackpool matched while playing that system.

“But it didn’t click often enough and there were teams at the bottom end [of the league] who got so much joy against Blackpool because the way they played, especially away from home, was so passive.

“Against teams that were happy to sit in and hit Blackpool on the break, they just didn’t know how to trouble them.

“It simply wasn’t fast enough, there were too many individual mistakes and I don’t know if the players he had last season were suited to it.

“In the summer he made a few new signings and the thought was that, with players to suit that system, it might now click. But the time wasn’t there for him to see that come to fruition.”

While Critchley’s return to Blackpool ultimately ended in being sacked, the coach remains well thought of in English football circles and is a well-regarded personality.

Through last season covering Critchely’s side for the Blackpool Gazette, Wynn observed a man driven to succeed and obsessed with the sport, as well as one who understands the culture around the clubs he works at.

Wynn added: “He’s obviously a football man. In a way it is a surprise to see him going back in so quick, I thought he might want a bit of time away from the game to reflect.

“But equally when Blackpool didn’t make the play-offs at the end of last season he was desperate to get back on the training field. I think he struggles being away from football.

“You just have to look at his first spell at Blackpool and how popular and successful he was. He really does care.

“The way he spoke about Blackpool, what he achieved, the positive relationship he had with fans – you could tell he really cherished that and he really bought in to the spirit of the club. He was a good ambassador of the club.”