Alan Beauchamp
At last there’s a bit of daylight between us and seventh place with a four-point gap.
After the disappointing, below-par, display against Rotherham, what we needed was a performance to reassure everyone that we haven’t got last minute promotion nerves.
What did we get – probably the best 90 minutes football from Blackpool for many weeks.
You always expect a good footballing game against Crewe and it was an entertaining contest, but it was nearly all one-way traffic as Blackpool dominated from start to finish.
The midfieldwas superb. Hoolahan was at his teasing and tantalising best, while on the right, loan star Chris Brandon provided a much more balanced feel to the side.
Hoolahan’s goal was a scorcher and Brandon was unlucky not to score on his debut when he slipped after a mazy run.
Fox’s distribution was near-perfect and Jorgensen had probably his best game yet. For once, we actually picked up the loose balls and bossed the centre of the park.
The two loan players brought in before the transfer deadline, Williams and Brandon, have added that bit of extra quality, choice and options for Grayson and I’m convinced we now have a squad that can attain a play-off place. It is in our own hands.

 Steve Hutcheon
It’s never seemed more appropriate to say that a week is a long time in football.
I was gutted after the Rotherham game and I can’t believe that we’ve given 12 points away this season against the bottom two. Still, it’s history now and the game against the Railwaymen quickly perked me up.
We fully deserved the points against Crewe and our performance especially in the second half was terrific.
How we didn’t score more than two was a mystery and it was disappointing that none of our strikers got on the score sheet.
Hoolahan was fantastic and Brandon made a most encouraging debut. Robbie Williams certainly seems to be going the right way about making himself popular with his postive style of play.
It was great to see Southern return from injury too and it couldn’t have come at a better time with a crucial six games ahead. It certainly gives the squad a strong feel with players such as Gorkss, Bean, Evans, Joseph and the injured Burgess all not featuring in the 16 against Crewe.
After all the one way traffic, how typical then that we conceded a last minute goal. Even though we’ve made great strides forward, I still think that we need to eradicate these lapses in concentraion from our game.

Jane Stuart
Welcome Chris Brandon – and thank you for revitalising our midfield!
I think it was our weak midfield that cost us at Rotherham – we were bullied off the ball and found it difficult to get it played on the ground. We did overcome this in the end, but it was too late by then.
I wonder if Simon Gillett is suffering psychologically from playing in that awful Bournemouth side (lost the winning mentality perhaps?); or if he is simply not used to playing this number of games at this standard. I still like him but want the 2006 version back please!
I would like to see Danny Coid in midfield where he is a valuable asset. Perhaps people forget what a magical attacking player he can be; how he can beat a man (or several) and what a cracking shot he has.
And that is exactly what we were missing against Rotherham. When we finally managed to get control of the ball, all we did was dance about with it – it was as though there was a forcefield around the penalty area.
Thankfully Larry sorted this out ahead of the Crewe game. He always irons out problems. His team is ever evolving into an efficient machine. We peppered their goal with shots for 90 minutes – and won the midfield battle hands down. I had forgotten Wes had that in him – what a cracker!

Jack Gaughan
Saturday saw us pick up a valuable three points and leave us with breathing space over Swansea.
The team passed the ball well and kept probing the Alex defence.
The two central midfielders did exceptionally well to dictate the play, with Fox playing well (although I still maintain he’s too crab-like to be the playmaker) and Jorgensen shining out like a beacon as he was allowed time and space.
The reason for the Seasiders’ dominance was down to Dario Gradi getting the Crewe tactics woefully wrong right from the start.  They set out with Neil Cox as the holding midfielder but he dropped too deep and was playing almost alongside his two central defenders.
This led to a big hole between Cox and the rest of the midfield, which allowed Jorgensen to fill in that gap and control play. Their only outlet was Anthony McNamee on the left.
Credit to Barker then, as he had to mark him all game and stuck to his task well.
I was thrilled with the performances of Williams and Brandon, both endearing themselves to the crowd with Brandon especially fitting in well on the right. How much better does the right look without Forbes?
I think Williams is exactly the type of no nonsense player we need at left back.

Chris Blackburn
If life really does begin at 40 then Blackpool’s League season now has six mini cup finals in front of it!
And with a four point gap between us and our nearest rivals our destiny really does lie in our own hands.
The two games this week have epitomised what we have come to expect of the Seasiders in 2006-7.
Fresh from a hard-earned victory at Bradford you would have backed the team to make their game in hand count at bottom-of-the-table Rotherham. But without the midfield craft of David Fox we looked short on ideas.
Saturday’s fare on the other hand was a more palatable dish. With Foxy back and Chris Brandon in for his debut we had better shape and invention in midfield.
Even the return to the starting line-up of our favourite bad boy, Keigan Parker seemed to energise the team. A Crewe side lacking its prolific strikers, Varney and Maynard, was there for the taking.
Wes Hoolahan’s wonder strike capped yet another mercurial performance. Robbie Williams’s brilliant free kick for the second was no more than we deserved and a final score of 2-1 certainly flattered our visitors.
Looking at Larry’s recent loan signings it’s interesting to note that they are all used to being winners at this level.

John Woodman
It’s taken its time but the real Blackpool finally turned up since going awol on New Year’s Day.
Since then we have really had a bit of a mismatched side performing well enough but not really stamping their promotion credentials on any game.
The whole side on Saturday had a really good balanced feel about it, we had width , creativity and endeavor in midfield, pace and skill up front, and dogged determination in defence. We created many chances and how we only managed to score twice is a mystery.
It was widely acknowledged that Larry picked the incorrect team on Tuesday. However credit to him for learning from mistakes and picking a team that went out and did a thoroughly professional job. The fact that it was so easy despite the scorline says it all.
Chris Brandon had a good debut and it just shows what we have been missing down that right. For all his effort Forbes just hasn’t done it for us this season.
Robbie WIlliams continued to entertain us and although I would have Coid in the side you just can't argue with two goals in three games.
Another player who has had to sit tight and bide his time is Claus Jorgenson, however now he is settled in the centre of midfield he gets better with every game.

Alan Beauchamp
Ten out of 10! Ten games won out of the last 10; 10 out of 10 for the performance at Wembley; 10 out of 10 for the tremendous support; and 10 out of 10 for job done and getting the Pool back into the Championship for the first time in 29 years.
 I was trying to think of a word to describe Sunday’s performance. Brilliant? Entertaining? Attacking? I settled on faultless. I can’t think of a single player who had a bad game, or any errors by anyone. It was a perfect all-round display.
  I must admit that before the game I was a little apprehensive about the outcome, but I needn’t have worried. This was another professional performance by a team brimming with confidence and somehow unaware of how to lose a game.
From the start we bossed the game. Yeovil may have had plenty of possession in the second half, but they never threatened us at all. In fact we should have had a hatful of goals but we had to settle for two beauties from Williams and Parker.
 The occasion was awesome. Seeing the sea of tangerine filling one half of Wembley and celebrating promotion with the players was truly memorable.
Stars on the day were Hoolahan and Barker, but the whole team played their part. There has to be a special mention for Simon Grayson who has guided the club back to the second tier of English football. He’s done a tremendous job and deserves all the plaudits he gets.
 We’ve done the hard bit in getting promotion and now the club must back the manager with financial support to ensure he can build a squad to takes us forward and develop the ground as well.
 That’s for next season though. For the present I’m just going to bask in the glory of promotion.

John Woodman
What an amazing day, truly awesome! Nine months ago this weekend was as far from people’s minds as could possibly be – after one win in the first 11 we all thought it would be another season of struggle.
However, Simon had faith in what he was doing and in the players he brought in and, thank  goodness, the players have repaid that faith and, after 29 long years, have taken us back in the upper echelons.
Wembley looked fantastic with the tangerine army in full colour and full voice, however I don’t think the new Wembley holds a light to Cardiff in terms of atmosphere.
The match in truth was a bit of a letdown, not because the football was poor but purely because we stamped our authority on the game so early Yeovil just never got a look in. We dominated all over the pitch.
In a way I’m quite sad the season has ended as over the last nine or ten weeks we have seen some incredible football played and some wonderful goals scored.
I don’t think it’s quite sunk in yet that we are at last in the Championship. It probably only will once we see the fixtures for next season. But there is a lot of work to do before then.
We must secure the signatures of some of the loan players we’ve had and we must start to build the south stand – otherwise next season could be as disappointing as this season is joyous.
Thanks to everybody at the club for making us so proud of our team – 30 years of hurt finally put to rest. Hopefully this is just the beginning of the Phoenix rising.

Steve Hutcheon
Congratulations to Larry, the players and everyone associated with the club.  After 29 long years, we’ve finally done it!
The outcome of the match was never really in doubt and I can only remember one chance from the Glovers throughout.  We totally controlled the game and the only surprise is that we didn’t score more.  It was the ultimate professional performance with the whole team performing fantastically well. 
It was superb to see us keep a clean sheet, as it meant we were completely comfortable with the outcome of the game, rather than making it hard for ourselves.  Each goal was an absolute gem and I think it’ll be some time before the new Wembley witnesses goals of that quality.
Never having seen us play in the second tier, all I’ve ever wanted has been to see us play at that level.  Words can’t describe how it feels right now, knowing that we’ve achieved exactly that!  Each and every player has guranteed their place in the club folklore.  More significantly, Larry has proved he’s an absolute genius, masterminding our turnaround from relegation fodder to play-off winners in one season. 
Everything he’s done this season has come off, from his transfer dealings – particularly his loan signings – to his confident team selections.  What he has done for this club and town is terrific.
The support at Wembley was awesome throughout.  To see 30,000 Tangerine clad supporters there was spine-tingling and will live forever in our memories. The moment when Michael Jackson lifted the trophy was incredible and confirmed that visits to Deepdale and Turf Moor are a reality for Grayson’s Tangerine Army!

Jane Stuart
Well we did it!  And in such style, too.  Our club record tenth consecutive win looked effortless and a walk in the park for our special boys, with Yeovil beaten even before they took to the field.
This team is made of stern stuff and has the character to go a very long way indeed (Colchester and Plymouth next season for a start). 
They might not be perfect and can and will be improved upon next season; but the successful teams are those who make the fewest mistakes.  I cannot remember our last defensive howler or goalkeeping blunder and that is because we don’t make silly mistakes any more.  They cost you points and we have forgotten how to drop points!
I vote to make November 10 a national holiday in honour of the appointment of a hero and a genius – Saint Larry’s Day. 
Larry, you have made it all worthwhile – all the hours and the miles and the thousands of pounds and the Worthington years and the Hendry regime and Scott Darton and losing 7-0 at Barnet. None of that matters any more thanks to you and what you have achieved – with a little help from some footballers and a Latvian banker.  Thank you so much.
The icing on the cake this season is the fate of those who have been the cause of heartbreak and disappointment in recent years.
Previous play-off victors Bradford City and Torquay relegated respectively to the bottom flight and out of the League.  Peter Clarke sending our early season into disarray with his sudden departure to Southend (I ask you!) wanting to ply his trade at the highest level possible – now back in the lower leagues because he didn’t believe in us.
So what next for the mighty tangerine wizards?  Premiership with Latvian cash?  Well we laughed when Mr Belokon suggested we might win the title this year and we were only a whisker away at the end – instead taking the scenic route to the Championship.
I don’t think there are any limits on how far this team can go – and it would be hilarious if we could succeed where our nearest and dearest have failed time and time again in the Championship playoffs!
I am now going to enjoy a smiley smug summer and look forward to the Championship fixtures coming out in a few weeks’ time. 

Jack Gaughan
Again the Seasiders showed why they’re the form team in the League as, despite playing poorly, they managed to not only beat Oldham, but beat them comfortably.
The ability to pick teams off at will is the complete reverse of what we’ve seen in recent years  when other teams did the picking of us.
The outlet of Keigan Parker is one we didn’t exploit enough in either game – but when he was used, Sean Gregan had no chance of catching him. The Scotsman could have added to his superb goal and should have won a penalty – but none of that matters now: the mighty Seasiders are going to Wembley!
Hopefully the team will play with more composure against Yeovil and get the ball down on the deck, playing balls into Morrell’s feet and pressing higher up the pitch.
Yeovil are a good footballing side, which should help us.
One special mention goes to Adrian Forbes. His performance was whole-hearted and a great improvement on his showings all season. He deserved his ovation when substituted.
Richie Wellens is out of contract and due to leave the Latics, but who’d take him back now? I certainly would. I thought he carried Oldham not only Saturday but last week also. Paul Edwards, another former Pool player, had a very aggressive and impressive game at left-back.
I hope we can take 20,000 plus fans to Wembley and do the team justice with our support. I’d keep the same team next week with Forbes on the right of midfield and Brandon coming onto the bench as an extra option.
Next week I hope I’ll be writing about the prospect of travelling to Preston, Burnley, Sheffield United and such like.

Steve Hutcheon
A ninth straight fantastic win and a coveted place at Wembley assured next Sunday. It feels like all of this is a dream and doesn’t get much better than this!
Although I don’t think our performance against the Lactics was a classic, the result was the all important thing.
To go through 5-2 on aggregate is superb and really sets us up for the final. Although Oldham were lacking in quality, they certainly made it tough for us at times and can’t be faulted for their effort.
A solid, battling team performance from us though ensured that for the main part, we were never really in danger of not going through. I think 3-1 on the day flattered us slightly and Oldham were perhaps the better team in the first half. Second half we picked up though, ensuring that we put the ball away at critical moments in the game.
I’m delighted for Parker – he’s come in for a lot of stick all week due to his finishing at Boundary Park. A delightful finish provided a perfect reponse to his doubters.
To witness nine successive wins has seen us watch history in the making with the equalling of the club record. To win a 10th would be amazing. It would break the club record and obviously more importantly to gain a return to the top two  flights. Good luck Larry and the boys, go get em.

John Woodman
Well, we made hard work of it but we’ve done it, consigned the ghost of 11 years to the dustbin once and for all.      It certainly wasn’t our best performance of the season but some credit for that should go to Oldham who I thought tried their best and certainly put us on the back foot for the majority of the game. But this team just doesn’t know how to lose.
     We can play football when the time is right but we are also more than capable of scrapping and battling when its needed.
Now we have a week’s wait for the trip to Wembley where I would imagine close to 30,000 tangerine-mad fans will fill the new stadium with so much noise you’d think there were 90,000 there.
We must stay focused. Yeovil have proved over the season that they are a very good side, posses quite a bit of pace and like to play football like ourselves.
One thing for sure it will be an excellent football match and it will go all the way to the wire.
Like us Yeovil aren’t a side to give up like they showed on Friday night. I’m sure we will be professional enough to cope with whatever is thrown at us and I’m convinced we are the stronger team and will ultimately be in the Championship this time next week.
Larry and his backroom staff deserve tremendous credit for turning this club around, even if the unthinkable happens we have had a tremendous season and we’ve come further than anybody could ever have imagined at the start of this successful campaign.

Alan Beauchamp
This was probably the worst we have played for some time, which could be a combination of nerves and Oldham putting us under pressure for long periods as they had to win. 
     We didn’t seem to be able to clear our lines too well, particularly in the first half, and we certainly didn’t pick up the loose balls from our clearances. In addition we conceded a series of free-kicks in perilous positions which Oldham always seemed to convert into dangerous deliveries.
The officious referee didn’t help, blowing for every little offence and constantly ignoring any advantage, which meant the game was stop-start all afternoon.
Having said all that, who cares! The result was the important thing and we are on our way to Wembley. And they were three cracking goals on Saturday to help us on our way – another rasper from Southern; a sublime piece of finishing by Morrell and an individual piece of skill by Parker.
 Yeovil are another team who like to play a passing game, so I expect next weekend’s match to be an entertaining event. Besides a footballing feast, hopefully it will be a really colourful affair as the Seaside Army descends on the home of football and fills the stadium with a sea of tangerine.
Every Blackpool supporter should be proud of Simon Grayson and the players who have really given us something to cheer about at long last. We’re just 90 minutes away from a return to the second flight of English football after almost 30 years … I probably won’t sleep all week with the excitement!

Chris Blackburn
As a Seasider who missed out on the great years of Matthews, Mortensen and Ball I remember my grandfather regaling me with stories of their exploits.
   However his best anecdotes were saved for the legendary team of 1936-7 because it included his cousin Louis Cardwell. It has therefore been a privilege to witness the record equalling 2006-7 side that notched up their ninth successive victory on Saturday.
Like the 1930s model this team is built on a solid defence with Jackson, Evatt and Barker real throwbacks to a bygone era.
Saturday’s match was never going to be a classic with the Seasiders appearing, quite understandably, to feel the pressure of the occasion.
Oldham desperate to revive the tie with an early goal, imposed themselves from the start. You could therefore sense the collective relief when, after half an hour, Pool broke away and took the lead with a crisp drive from Keith Southern.
For all their endeavour the Latics were very poor in the final third, and it was no surprise to see League One’s top scorers hit a further brace before the end to give the final scoreline a rather flattering look.
Blackpool in the Championship? It certainly has a lovely ring to it … and hopefully in a few days the Tangerine Dream will indeed become reality!

John Woodman
I’ve been following Blackpool for well over 30 years and I thought I’d seen it all, but Saturday was something else – the atmosphere, the fans and the stadium were all first-class.
You’d have thought both teams had already been promoted because it was like an exhibition match.
There didn’t seem to be any tension or nerves in either team and some of our play was breathtaking – lots of one-touch football that was like watching a hot knife through butter. We were simply awesome.
I said that I thought the lack of goals from Morrell and Parker might be our undoing but both were simply irresistible, scoring all six between them.
I’ve not seen forward play like that since the days of Mickey Walsh and Bob Hatton!
The squad just never know when to give up. Already guaranteed a play-off place and knowing that Bristol City were winning 2-0 at half-time, it would have been quite easy for the players to have switched off, especially when Swansea went 3-2 up.
But this team are made of sterner stuff and they got over a bad five minutes to silence an 18,000 crowd once again by simply playing the Swans off the park.
Oldham in the play-offs won’t be easy but if the players and management can keep focused and determined there’s not a lot to fear.
We’re the league’s top scorers and without doubt the best attacking team in the division.
We just need to keep our heads whilst others around us lose theirs and one day soon we’ll be promoted.

Jane Stuart
DO you remember how difficult we found it to score against Swansea at home in December? 
Saturday was a fine illustration of how much we have improved.
We thought we were good then. We know we are great now, finishing the season as leading scorers in League One.
This was always going to be an interesting contest, with both sides seeking to win to finish higher up the table.
At half-time we were ahead but knew the game was not over.  The half-time news that Oldham were only drawing motivated Swansea into coming out and really going for the win.
Suddenly we were losing and questions were being asked of our team. With Bristol City winning and automatic promotion slipping away, would we give up?
Would we heck! We punished Swansea for having the nerve to take the game to us – how dare they? We took control and pummelled them into submission.
And what can I say about my player of the year Andy Morrell? What an absolute marvel.
There can be no doubt that the introduction of this special player was instrumental in our change of fortune back in September. 
He fully deserved his four-goal haul as a reward for his consistent hard work throughout the season.
Far from facing a menacing walk back to the station, the Blackpool fans were applauded by the Swansea fans, who asked if we played like that every week. 
I think we all know by now that this team reigns supreme and fully deserves a crack at the Championship.
I have every confidence they can finish the job. Let’s make it 10 out of 10 boys. So happy and so proud of you.

Alan Beauchamp
Five star (or should that be six?) entertainment to round off our league campaign!
Except for a shaky 10 minutes at the start of each half, the rampant Seasiders ended any hope that Swansea may have harboured of sneaking into the play-offs.
Somehow it felt satisfying to know that the insufferable Lee Trundle was consigned to League One football next season.
An exhilarating attacking display ensured we ended the season in third spot with an amazing total of 83 points, which in past seasons would have been sufficient to secure automatic promotion.
I was absolutely delighted for marvellous Andy Morrell as he grabbed four goals during the rout.
No player deserves such success more than Morrell – he’s been an honest, hard-working professional all season. It also looks like Keigan Parker has hit form just at the right time as he grabbed a brace of goals himself.
So we now face Oldham in the play-off semis. It won’t be easy  but surely every other team in the play-offs will be dreading playing Blackpool in the form we’re in.
Even when we go a goal behind, you feel confident that the team has the ability to bounce back.
With the creativity we have in midfield and the on-fire strikeforce to capitalise on it, we are more than a match for anyone.
An additional plus is the ability of Simon Grayson to switch things around mid-game if it’s not going our way, like he did at Swansea.
So we have a confident, free-scoring team, a tactically aware manager and an amazing set of supporters – surely a recipe for success over the next three games?
The play-offs are a lottery – but someone’s got to win the jackpot and it could be us!

Steve Hutcheon
That was one of the best games I’ve witnessed since I started following the Seasiders.
  The game had everything – goals, superb passing, a missed penalty and fantastic backing from the fans.
OK, to let three in was a surprise, but given our defensive qualities this season I’m sure we can return to our usual mean selves.
No matter how many goals Swansea scored, we just kept on going back at them and refused to lie down.
The team were absolutely terrific and it really couldn’t have got much better than that! To score six away is awesome and Andy Morrell seemed to score every time he had the ball, completely upstaging his old Wrexham strike partner Lee Trundle.
The whole team were fantastic and I think we have to be confident of beating anyone.
The way we passed the ball was great to watch and we displayed a quality that is rarely seen at League One level.
Forget about not getting second place, we now have a good chance to succeed in the play-offs, with a potentially superb day out at Wembley to boot. 
Oldham haven’t been on great form but they have to return to form some time. 
Hopefully, it won’t be until next season, so long as we have our wits about us. I’m convinced we have more than enough about us to achieve a positive result.

Chris Blackburn
According to the lyrics of a famous song, ‘You go and save the best for last’.
   And judging by the performance I witnessed from the Seasiders at the Liberty Stadium, they certainly did that in their final League game of this campaign.
The ground itself is a wonderful setting for a crucial end of season game, where both teams were in need of all three points.
The 1,200 loyal Blackpool fans in a crowd of 18,000 were never intimidated and added to the occasion with their non-stop support for the Tangerines.
The game started at an incredible pace. Andy Morrell dragged a shot wide after two minutes before Iriekpen rose unchallenged to put the Swans ahead. Clever interplay between Jorgensen and Parker saw Morrell put the Pool level and minutes later we took the lead through a Keigan wonder-strike.
The second half started in similar fashion to the first, with Swansea finding the net twice inside 10 minutes. However, the game’s defining moment was probably when Lee Trundle missed a penalty awarded when the scores were level at 2-2.
If ever a side could claim to epitomise the word resilient, then I was watching it. Jorgensen, Southern, and Hoolahan took charge in the middle, and in the space of four scintillating minutes we had come from behind to take the lead through Morrell’s second and third goals.
A sublime finish from the master marksman and a classy lob from Keigan ended the tennis score in what was a fantastic advertisement for third-tier football.Hopefully. the momentum of seven consecutive league victories will now be maintained in the play-offs.

Jane Stuart
All hail Sir Larry! Our team is almost entirely comprised of signings made by Larry this season.  Therefore Larry deserves great credit for this team’s achievements – as, of course, do his financial backers, Messrs Oyston and Belokon, without whom this team could not have been constructed. 
I think the least Larry can expect is to be named manager of the year but I think a knighthood is certainly in order.
Did I enjoy the game on Saturday?  Oh yes!  At 2-0 up I was laughing hysterically.  This is absolute bliss. 
Wes is one very special boy and I adore watching him – no team can handle him. 
Scunthorpe (and Joe Murphy in particular!) had terrible trouble containing Keigan Parker, who is a great little weapon to have in our arsenal and is in fine form.
We were, of course, deflated by the dismissal of Brandon and its repercussions. But yet again we managed not to let the sending-off distract us from the job in hand and we continued to destroy our opponents instead of self-destructing a la Tranmere.  
Beating the champions (again) with ten men is a fantastic achievement but no less than we have come to expect from the Magnificent Eleven.
I believe Scunthorpe were actually frightened of us – as the rest of League One ought to be, most notably the play-off hopefuls.
But of course we might not need the play-offs yet! Bristol City are having a wobble, which means next weekend’s game at Swansea is one tasty fixture.

Jack Gaughan
 This is our year. I’m absolutely certain. The passion the team and fans showed from the off was infectious, and helped Bloomfield Road become a cauldron of noise.
The death of Alan Ball was a huge shock for everyone connected to the club. I’m sure, and the way the tribute was handled by club announcer Tony Parr was exceptional. The speech before the game got the whole crowd going and it was the way a legend should make his final bow, at ‘home’.
The Seasiders were again superb. The defence was fantastically strong with Evatt especially being the proverbial rock as always. I expect a little more from Billy Sharp – the front man being a bit too mouthy for me – but that was probably down to the fact he was excellently marshalled by the central two.
Why wasn’t Claus Jorgensen installed alongside Southern when I said back in October? He once again showed David Fox how to play the attacking midfield roll and his finish for the goal oozed class.
The calmness in possession he displays gives him an extra second on the ball, which helps build attacks, moving the ball out wide. Southern – as ever – was a colossus in midfield.
The only disappointment was Brandon’s sending off. He has a history of this sort of thing, and in my opinion should be sent back to Huddersfield now.
The front two played well, with Parker certainly hitting form at the right time. Morrell did a reasonable job filling in after the red card.
Bring on Swansea next week. Could it happen – automatic? It’ll needs all the results to go our way but it is possible!

Steve Hutcheon
A superb end to potentially our last home game of the season! The players couldn’t have done any more than they did against Scunthorpe. To be in with a shout for second place going into the last game is tremendous and has reignited my lingering hopes of automatic promotion.
The whole team were heroes. We never stopped working and made the champions look ordinary. Parker and Hoolahan had particularly good games but every man played his part.
To win with 10 men was all the more impressive. Although Brandon should have known better than to react as rashly as he did, but he’s been top drawer since joining us, so I think we can forgive him for that one.
I must admit at half-time, with ten men and Scunthorpe having pulled a goal back, I feared we would be up against it.  I should have had more faith, as we dominated most of the second half, just as we had the first.
To beat the champions twice 3-1 in a season is fantastic especially as we’re the only team to do the double over them.
It's tempting to say ‘what if we’d picked up a point here or a point there’ but it’s crucial to look forward rather than back.
Stranger things have happended in football, than Bristol City and Forest both failing to win. All we can do is concentrate on ourselves and hope others do us a favour.
It promises to be a cracker next week at the Liberty stadium and I’m sure we can all cheer the lads on to victory.

John Woodman
Saturday was awesome in every respect, the tribute to Alan Ball was so perfect. The speech prior to the minute’s applause had me in tears.
It was just so fitting and then, on the back of that, we were served with a feast of football by a team that has got stronger and stronger over the last few weeks.
A team that can play for more than 45 minutes with 10 men against the league champions and even then make them look so ordinary, certainly has something about it. This Seasiders team never ceases to amaze us with how, week after week, they have produced good entertaining football.
Nothing seems to faze them. They are without doubt the best squad of players we have had for donkeys’ years.
We are in the play-offs for certain, but there is still a very little glimmer that we could go up automatically, after Bristol City’s result left the door wide open. I know we need two results go our way but stranger things have happened.
Another sell-out crowd was impeccable at the final whistle and allowed the team to take a well deserved standing ovation. Let’s hope the next time we are back at Bloomfield Road it’s in the Championship.

Alan Beauchamp
A tremendous, emotional tribute to Alan Ball kicked off yet another entertaining afternoon at a packed Bloomfield Road.
Two up against the champions and cruising, then we almost pushed the self-destruct button. An inexplicable lash-out by Brandon saw Blackpool reduced to 10 men and moments later Scunthorpe pulled one back through the ever-irritating Billy Sharp. In fact I thought their whole team seemed to be irritating – constantly trying to wind up Pool’s players and moaning to the ref.
But, from the moment we were reduced to 10 men, we never really looked in too much trouble. Keigan Parker, who was left to play lone striker, had probably his best game for many weeks. Hoolahan, Barker, Evatt and Southern had fine games as well.
Despite being a man down, Blackpool carved out several good chances during the second half and in the end the 3-1 scoreline flattered Scunthorpe.
Scunthorpe have gone up as champions but only one team has beaten them twice in the league this season – the Mighty Pool.
The correct combination of scorelines next week and Blackpool could sneak that second automatic promotion spot.
It’s a tall order as both Bristol City and Forest have home games and Swansea still have something to play for. But stranger things have happened!
However we will be going into the play-offs in fine form and confidence should be high.

Alan Beauchamp
The nerves on a sometimes anxious afternoon at Cheltenham were finally settled by another screamer from Keith Southern and another string of fine saves from Hart.
For a short spell in the second half we were on the rack, but we weathered the storm and can now start planning our play-off campaign.
Media reports will state that this victory over Cheltenham sealed our place in the play-offs, but obviously it’s all the hard work over the season that has got us to this position and who would have thought way back in September, when we had only managed one win in the first 12 games, we’d be within a whisker of promotion.
  Every credit to Simon Grayson for turning the season around and taking us to the brink of promotion. 
Astonishingly, Karl Oyston revealed this week that he offered Grayson the manager’s job instead of the hapless Hendry back in 2004 – if only he’d taken it then, who knows where we might have been now?
Unfortunately, he also revealed that another temporary stand may be an option if we are promoted rather than starting the construction of a new south stand.
At a time when we should be celebrating success on the pitch, our euphoria has been tempered by this disappointing news.
The club’s motto is Progress and we are certainly seeing that on the pitch – what a pity we aren’t seeing the same commitment with the ground. At least the team is giving us something to cheer about!

John Woodman
So the play-offs are guaranteed and there’s no doubt we go in to them as the form team in the league. An incredible five wins on the trot have almost propelled us into an automatic spot – if only there were four or five more games left!
On Saturday we controlled the first half and never looked in any danger, but whatever John Ward said to his team seemed to do the trick as Cheltenham came out with all guns blazing and for 25 minutes had us really rocking.
Thank goodness for the ability of Joe Hart who pulled off three or four great saves when we could quite easily have lost convincingly. For the first time in many months our defence seemed to struggle with the pace of the opposition.
Both Barker and Evatt who have been rocks all season had probably their worst games all season.
However, once we managed to get our foot on the ball again we took control and Wes started where he had left off in the first half. After a glut of chances going begging up popped Southern with a great strike, and in the end I think we ended up worthy winners.
As we go into the last two games, the only worry I have is up front. With having only two strikers fit we could struggle and both Morrell and Parker have hit a bad patch. Parker has scored only once since December and Morrell has only scored one in the last month. Thankfully we are scoring goals from all over the team, something we haven’t done for years.
We now have our last home game of the season and with Scunny still needing a point to secure the Championship I’m sure it will be a cracking atmosphere.
Another win against the top side will fill us with even more confidence and make sure we go into the play-off as firm favourites.

Jane Stewart
I cannot profess to have enjoyed the game at Cheltenham; things are just too tense at the moment.
It is too important (how many of us, I wonder, are having anxiety dreams and restless nights?).  But the post-match smile following all these wins has gradually developed from a smug grin and swagger after Tranmere to a toothy smile of absolute delight and skipping down the street at Cheltenham.
The boys are being asked to deliver and they are delivering in style.
This was a hard-fought win.  Our first half performance was as per usual – not really getting out of first gear, but doing just about enough to keep our opponents contained. 
However, it was Cheltenham who came out looking hungrier in after the break and their equaliser was deserved, as they had worked hard for it.
But were we going to let Cheltenham get in the way of our domination of League One and our quest for the Championship?  I don’t think so.
I was interested to see Adrian Forbes introduced as a striker (which I believe to be his true position) in the absence of Vernon, Burgess and Blinkhorn.
Keith Southern’s winner was oh-so-gratefully received.  Don’t you just know we are going to get these late, late goals?  And how much are we enjoying them? 
With automatic promotion looking less probable – although still possible – I am delighted with our form going into the play-offs.  Our potential opponents will be quite rightly shuddering in terror at our recent results.  We are magnificent and we can do this.

Steve Hutcheon
Congratulaions to Larry and the boys for bagging a play-off place with two games to spare!  It’s a fantastic achievement  and surpasses the expectations that I had at the start of the season. 
After the struggle over the last two seasons, to be in the play-offs is remarkable.  I would probably have settled for a top half finish before the start of the season so everyone associated with the club deserves a big pat on the back! 
Even more impressive is the fact that we’re still in with a chance of automatic promotion depending on other results.
The Robins had us under the cosh for much of the second half and we were probably fortunate to escape with three points.  To get a result when you don’t play well is something all successful teams need to do at times so it was terrific to get the victory despite the Cheltenham pressure. 
We really dug in to grind out the result and every man played his part in what was a gutsy team performance. 
To win the match in the fashion that we did convinces me that we can really achieve something this season – in years gone by, we would have folded at Whaddon Road!
It all adds up to a smashing game next Saturday against the Irons and I’m sure there’ll be a great atmosphere. 
It looks unlikely, because of Bristol City’s impressive victory at Carlisle and Forest’s win against the Cherries, that we can grab second spot now but while there’s still a chance, I’m sure the lads will go for it.  It’s just as important though to keep our superb form going into the play-offs as we all know that the form team often go on to win the play-off final.

Alan Beauchamp
Who were those imposters in the tangerine shirts during the first half? It certainly wasn’t the Blackpool we have come to know this season.  There was no cohesion, none of the  flowing attractive moves that we’ve come to expect in the latter half of the season and no incisive play up front.
Perhaps the only player who gave any sort of decent display in the first 45 minutes was Hoolahan. In fact, our busiest player was probably Hart in goal.
A few strong words at half-time from Grayson, together with an inspired substitution saw the true Blackpool emerge for the second half.
The ineffectual Forbes made way for Chris Brandon and the stage was set for a pulsating second 45 minutes. Forbes can’t be totally blamed for the team’s lacklustre performance in the first half, but Brandon certainly injected some much needed urgency, creativity and width on the right, and also chipped in with two goals.
The first of them calmed the nerves and instilled confidence. From there on, it was a powerful display that totally blew away any threat that Northampton had posed in the first half.
The first half is probably best forgotten, but in the second half there were good performances by Hoolahan, Evatt, Jorgensen, Parker and of course supersub Brandon.  Hart’s collecting and handling of crosses was also impeccable.
I think a second place spot is probably just outside our reach, but we can start thinking about our play-off semi-finals, and also start to dream of a day out at Wembley.

Jack Gaughan
The second half performance on Saturday was magical. The team clicked; managed to spray the ball around and didn’t allow themselves to be out muscled by a strong Northampton side.
The defining moment was strangely one that happened pitchside, when Larry replaced the totally ineffectual Adrian Forbes with loan star Chris Brandon, whose direct running at the opposing defence was a pleasant change to what we’re used to from his position. He ran the second half along with Wes Hoolahan.
Pool now look a real attacking threat with two out-and-out wingers in midfield. Another point of note is that these two players can actually cross a ball.
Going back to Forbes again: his effort cannot be faulted, but does that really make a footballer? The crowd got on his back, but they’ve given him amble opportunity to show what he can do throughout the season, he just hasn’t delivered.
Northampton were one of the better sides I’d seen here all season as their physical presence was balanced nicely with decent attacking football and it’s easy to see why they have such a good away record. It was  just that we were too good for them in the second half and would have blown any team away.
Keigan Parker had a great game again and deserved a goal, answering his critics well with the imaginative link-up play with Andy Morrell – the sort of play we saw of the two before New Year.

Steve Hutcheon
Northampton didn’t know what hit them in the second half and were blown away by a stunning attacking display. At half-time I was hoping for an improvement on our first half display but certainly didn’t expect us to score four!
We’ve played worse than in the first half against the Cobblers but the positive thing is that it was only 1-0 at half-time. We were inferior in midfield in the first half and credit must go to Larry for making a change early on.
It begs the question though ‘why Brandon didn’t start instead of Forbes?’ Although I can understand Larry not wanting to change a winning formula. Brandon though obviously poses a scoring threat and I really can’t understand why he’s not part of Huddersfield’s plans.
Hoolahan really stood out too in the second half although, the whole team looked a changed outfit after half-time. Credit must go to Joe Hart for two assured displays since his arrival and I just hope we can keep hold of him for longer.
After the game, it was disappointing to find out that Forest had come back from two down at Griffin Park to grab three points, but all we can do is concentrate on ourselves and see where it takes us.
Second place is still a possibility as Bristol City have a tough couple of games – away to in-form Carlisle and Millwall. On the whole though, I’d be delighted to finish third or fourth so we can play the away leg of

Jane Stuart
Chris Brandon – I think I love you! Isn’t it wonderful to have a team full of players we adore  and a manager who knows exactly what he is doing. Absolute bliss!
Northampton were deservedly ahead at the break. They were a strong, physical side and we were no match for The Doctor and his colleagues (including an old favourite of mine, Sam Aiston, who I am sure never used to be that big – maybe he just looked massive compared to our tiny midfielders).
But at half-time Larry changed formation and introduced midfield dynamo Brando to the team – and what an impact! Both goals were outstanding and I particularly enjoyed the first because of his pure persistence.
And as for Wes? Oh I hope he stays. I love his psychological warfare with goalkeepers when he is lining up to take a penalty – and he always comes out on top. What a treasure.
I am so excited about how this season is panning out – and have been delighted with our results – but for the first time in ages I was able to smile and relax and enjoy the game itself on Saturday.
Obviously the first half wasn’t much fun but the second half was thrilling and satisfying and, having woken up with a sore throat, I had completely lost my voice by the end of the game through singing and screaming with pure delight after each goal.the play-offs first and give ourselves a better chance of that Wembley final.

Alan Beauchamp
At last there’s a bit of daylight between us and seventh place with a four-point gap.
After the disappointing, below-par, display against Rotherham, what we needed was a performance to reassure everyone that we haven’t got last minute promotion nerves.
What did we get – probably the best 90 minutes football from Blackpool for many weeks.
You always expect a good footballing game against Crewe and it was an entertaining contest, but it was nearly all one-way traffic as Blackpool dominated from start to finish.
The midfieldwas superb. Hoolahan was at his teasing and tantalising best, while on the right, loan star Chris Brandon provided a much more balanced feel to the side.
Hoolahan’s goal was a scorcher and Brandon was unlucky not to score on his debut when he slipped after a mazy run.
Fox’s distribution was near-perfect and Jorgensen had probably his best game yet. For once, we actually picked up the loose balls and bossed the centre of the park.
The two loan players brought in before the transfer deadline, Williams and Brandon, have added that bit of extra quality, choice and options for Grayson and I’m convinced we now have a squad that can attain a play-off place. It is in our own hands.

 Steve Hutcheon
It’s never seemed more appropriate to say that a week is a long time in football.
I was gutted after the Rotherham game and I can’t believe that we’ve given 12 points away this season against the bottom two. Still, it’s history now and the game against the Railwaymen quickly perked me up.
We fully deserved the points against Crewe and our performance especially in the second half was terrific.
How we didn’t score more than two was a mystery and it was disappointing that none of our strikers got on the score sheet.
Hoolahan was fantastic and Brandon made a most encouraging debut. Robbie Williams certainly seems to be going the right way about making himself popular with his postive style of play.
It was great to see Southern return from injury too and it couldn’t have come at a better time with a crucial six games ahead. It certainly gives the squad a strong feel with players such as Gorkss, Bean, Evans, Joseph and the injured Burgess all not featuring in the 16 against Crewe.
After all the one way traffic, how typical then that we conceded a last minute goal. Even though we’ve made great strides forward, I still think that we need to eradicate these lapses in concentraion from our game.

Jane Stuart
Welcome Chris Brandon – and thank you for revitalising our midfield!
I think it was our weak midfield that cost us at Rotherham – we were bullied off the ball and found it difficult to get it played on the ground. We did overcome this in the end, but it was too late by then.
I wonder if Simon Gillett is suffering psychologically from playing in that awful Bournemouth side (lost the winning mentality perhaps?); or if he is simply not used to playing this number of games at this standard. I still like him but want the 2006 version back please!
I would like to see Danny Coid in midfield where he is a valuable asset. Perhaps people forget what a magical attacking player he can be; how he can beat a man (or several) and what a cracking shot he has.
And that is exactly what we were missing against Rotherham. When we finally managed to get control of the ball, all we did was dance about with it – it was as though there was a forcefield around the penalty area.
Thankfully Larry sorted this out ahead of the Crewe game. He always irons out problems. His team is ever evolving into an efficient machine. We peppered their goal with shots for 90 minutes – and won the midfield battle hands down. I had forgotten Wes had that in him – what a cracker!

Jack Gaughan
Saturday saw us pick up a valuable three points and leave us with breathing space over Swansea.
The team passed the ball well and kept probing the Alex defence.
The two central midfielders did exceptionally well to dictate the play, with Fox playing well (although I still maintain he’s too crab-like to be the playmaker) and Jorgensen shining out like a beacon as he was allowed time and space.
The reason for the Seasiders’ dominance was down to Dario Gradi getting the Crewe tactics woefully wrong right from the start.  They set out with Neil Cox as the holding midfielder but he dropped too deep and was playing almost alongside his two central defenders.
This led to a big hole between Cox and the rest of the midfield, which allowed Jorgensen to fill in that gap and control play. Their only outlet was Anthony McNamee on the left.
Credit to Barker then, as he had to mark him all game and stuck to his task well.
I was thrilled with the performances of Williams and Brandon, both endearing themselves to the crowd with Brandon especially fitting in well on the right. How much better does the right look without Forbes?
I think Williams is exactly the type of no nonsense player we need at left back.

Chris Blackburn
If life really does begin at 40 then Blackpool’s League season now has six mini cup finals in front of it!
And with a four point gap between us and our nearest rivals our destiny really does lie in our own hands.
The two games this week have epitomised what we have come to expect of the Seasiders in 2006-7.
Fresh from a hard-earned victory at Bradford you would have backed the team to make their game in hand count at bottom-of-the-table Rotherham. But without the midfield craft of David Fox we looked short on ideas.
Saturday’s fare on the other hand was a more palatable dish. With Foxy back and Chris Brandon in for his debut we had better shape and invention in midfield.
Even the return to the starting line-up of our favourite bad boy, Keigan Parker seemed to energise the team. A Crewe side lacking its prolific strikers, Varney and Maynard, was there for the taking.
Wes Hoolahan’s wonder strike capped yet another mercurial performance. Robbie Williams’s brilliant free kick for the second was no more than we deserved and a final score of 2-1 certainly flattered our visitors.
Looking at Larry’s recent loan signings it’s interesting to note that they are all used to being winners at this level.

John Woodman
It’s taken its time but the real Blackpool finally turned up since going awol on New Year’s Day.
Since then we have really had a bit of a mismatched side performing well enough but not really stamping their promotion credentials on any game.
The whole side on Saturday had a really good balanced feel about it, we had width , creativity and endeavor in midfield, pace and skill up front, and dogged determination in defence. We created many chances and how we only managed to score twice is a mystery.
It was widely acknowledged that Larry picked the incorrect team on Tuesday. However credit to him for learning from mistakes and picking a team that went out and did a thoroughly professional job. The fact that it was so easy despite the scorline says it all.
Chris Brandon had a good debut and it just shows what we have been missing down that right. For all his effort Forbes just hasn’t done it for us this season.
Robbie WIlliams continued to entertain us and although I would have Coid in the side you just can't argue with two goals in three games.
Another player who has had to sit tight and bide his time is Claus Jorgenson, however now he is settled in the centre of midfield he gets better with every game.