Portsmouth detail reasons for Blackpool defensive selection as Jack Whatmough misses out

And Blues assistant Joe Gallen told how Rasmus Nicolaisen’s left-footed distribution saw him favoured to start in the 1-0 defeat.

Eyebrows were raised over the decision to leave Whatmough on the bench, following the defensive debacle against Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night.

Focus was on Sean Raggett and James Bolton after that defeat, with Bolton missing against the Tangerines through injury.

Kenny Jackett opted to go with Nicolaisen and Raggett in the middle of defence, with Gallen explaining the balance the Dane offers along with his range of passing being the deciding factors.

Gallen said: ‘James Bolton had a knock which he picked up in training which ruled him out.

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‘Bringing in Rasmus was a decision to make with him, Jack and Sean Raggett.

‘They are three really good players but I thought both Rasmus and Sean played well.

‘What tipped it for us was Rasmus’ left foot and his distribution.

‘There was nice passing from him, particularly in the first half.

‘When Jack plays it’s him on the right and Sean on the left with a right foot, so our distribution isn’t quite right.

‘Rasmus does give us that distribution, that balance and the ability to start off attacks from deep.

‘You’re looking at distribution also from your defenders, mainly from your full-backs but also from Rasmus and that diagonal to Ronan.

‘It was that which edged it for him.’

Both Nicolaisen and Raggett were culpable for Jerry Yates’ deciding goal, with the loanee losing out near the halfway line before Raggett gave the striker the space to finish.

It was a black mark on an otherwise impressive display from Nicolaisen on his first league start since the middle of December.

The debate will now be whether to continue with the pair or bring in Whatmough at Oxford United on Tuesday night.

Gallen added: ‘I thought Rasmus played really well as he did at Bristol Rovers.

‘We asked for more diligent defending from our back four and we wanted a clean sheet.

‘We wanted Charlie (Daniels) and Callum (Johnson) to play as a unit with them, and they did.

‘They played well. Blackpool didn’t have a lot at all.

‘Rasmus has played well and Sean has played well but we’ll have a chat about it and Jack will be waiting to come back in.

‘What’s he got to do? Wait, be patient and when he does came back in I’m sure he’ll be very hard to dislodge.’

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