Pool visit Torquay
By Paddy
January 3 2009
After 3 impressive draws over the Christmas period, Blackpool will look to get back to winning ways at Torquay. Pool may have a first start to summer signing Dan Nardiello, unless they go 4-5-1, due to 6 loan players returning to their clubs this week.
After a grinding home draw against Wolves on Monday, the complete opposite is in store for Pool. A long trip to non-league Torquay will give caretaker boss Tony Parkes a chance to blood some young players as well as test the fitness of some players. After Stephen Crainey, Stephen McPhee and Daniel Nardiello all travelled down yesterday, it is likely they will all make the 18, but their appearance on the pitch is not a certainty. Some young players who impressed in pre-season, such as Dominic Merella and Ross Lloyd may be given a chance on the bench, but the main prospect, Danny Mitchley, misses out witha foot injury.
Likely Line-Up:
Rachubka
Barker Edwards Evatt Harte
Coid Southern Fox Vaughan
Burgess Nardiello
Subs: Gilks (GK), Baptiste, Broomes, Crainey, McPhee, Merella, Jorgensen
Currently 13 points behind Conference front runners Burton Albion, Torquay will know that the FA Cup may well prove a distraction as they attempt to force their way back into the Football League. Boss Paul Buckle will have 2 new signings to call on. Scott Bevan, who signed recently on a free, the former Southampton and MK Dons Goalkeeper looking to get into the team, and loan striker Tristan Plummer from Bristol City, who goes straight into the squad to face the Seasiders.
Last Time They Met: Blackpool 3-1 Torquay: At Bloomfield Road, in the Second Round of the FA Cup in the 2002/03, Poolsaw off the Gulls with a strong performance. Martin Gritton gave the visitors the lead after8 minutes, but an own goal by Rueben Hazell drew the teams level, and second half goals from Scott Taylor and John Murphy send the Seasiders into the Third Round, where they were beaten by Portsmouth in stoppage time. Torquay were reduced to 9 men in the dying moments, when Russell was sent off for a scything tackle, and in the melee that followed, David Graham followed his team mate to the dressing room.