Pompey v Blackpool: the opposition view

ean Longstaff, left, is Blackpools second top goalscorer this season with seven goals Picture: Joe Dent

That has not been the case, with that momentum giving them a good start to the season.

Currently, the Seasiders are 17th and, considering everything taking place off the pitch, if they stay up it will have been a good campaign.

A single point or one goal above that line will be great and definitely something encouraging to build upon.

Strangely, this season is beginning to mirror last year.

It started off really well, followed by dips in form in the winter months.

However, in March the team really picked up – and Blackpool supporters will be hoping for a repeat of that as well.

The downturn in winter may have something to do with the Bloomfield Road pitch, which is famously awful. For a side which like to get it down and pass, it makes things difficult.

Still, there have been four points from the last two matches, including victory at Wigan, so things are a lot more positive at present.

With 13 games remaining, four wins will be enough to keep their League One status.

At the start of the season, realistically that has been the aim with a young squad containing loans from Premier League and Championship clubs.

Sean Longstaff is a midfielder from Newcastle and the second top scorer, despite aged 20.

Obviously, problems continue off the field, but Gary Bowyer has remained positive, when he could easily come out and criticise every week.

The other Tuesday the chief executive was sacked – with the club statement released five minutes before kick-off against Wigan!

That’s how it is done at Blackpool, such is the farcical situation behind the scenes.

Yet often it galvanises the team and the end result was a 2-0 victory.

Fans are still boycotting home games, with attendances around the 3,500 mark, although they do hand out a lot of tickets.

I saw Portsmouth had 472 fans at Fleetwood for a midweek game, while last season they took a lot to Bloomfield Road, which is fantastic.

Of the team, Kyle Vassell is top scorer with eight goals, but has been out injured for spells.

Elsewhere, Curtis Tilt has been a bright presence, having come from non-league Wrexham in the summer.

The centre-back has probably been player of the season so far.