Football Season Guide

On paper at least Blackpool have had a disappointing summer losing defenders Alex Baptiste, Stephen Crainey and Neal Eardley on free transfers. They have not really replaced them either with Gary MacKenzie making his move from MK Dons permanent while Bobby Grant has joined from Rochdale. They briefly flirted with relegation last term after a season with a number of managers. Paul Ince is now at the helm and has been challenged in the transfer market. So far son Thomas has stayed at the club and he could be crucial to their fortunes. He decided against an £8 million move to Cardiff but if he is eventually sold, Blackpool's reluctance to spend much of transfer fees received could really work against them. Since their Premier League highs, the Seasiders have fallen by the wayside and this could well be an extremely challenging season for the club.