Football Season Guide

League Two play-off winners in 2017, Blackpool entered the previous season as one of the bookmakers' favourites to go down. Gary Bowyer's men went on to enjoy a campaign that saw them defy expectations and even look like possible candidates for a play-off spot until midway through the campaign. Given their chronic lack of funding, there was little surprise that the Seasiders became victims of their own success, as several key players left the club over the summer. As expected, Blackpool were unable to extend the stay of on-loan men Sean Longstaff, Dan Agyei and Callum Cooke, but they also lost several key men, such as Kyle Vassell, Kelvin Mellor, Clark Robertson and Colin Daniel. Given the number of players they have lost, they had little choice but to bring in numerous new faces. Around a half of their summer signings have previous League One experience, with the likes of Chris Taylor, Ryan McLaughlin and Joe Bunney being among those who are well-known players in the division. However, none of their new men has experience of starring for a third-tier side. Vassell was their top scorer last season, and it is somewhat of a surprise that they have not signed a single striker to try and replace him with. On overall, their squad looks to be a touch weaker than it was last time around. Add to that the fact that their best spell last season came early on, it is not difficult to see why their fans might have a sense of dread going into the new campaign.