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‘It’s not easy:’ Blackpool boss explains tough team selection decision against Stockport County
The centre back started last week’s 2-1 defeat away to Crawley Town, but lost his place to Elkan Baggott for the Hatters’ visit to Bloomfield Road, after the Ipswich Town loanee impressed in the midweek 4-0 victory over Burton Albion in the EFL Cup.
Despite suffering a 3-0 loss to Stockport on Saturday afternoon, the Indonesian international was one of the Seasiders’ best players for long periods.
After breaking into the first-team last year, Casey was a standout figure in the centre of Blackpool’s back three, with Critchley appreciating the disappointment the 23-year-old would’ve felt.
The 27-year-old wasn’t involved in Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Stockport County, after featuring in the two games prior against Crawley Town and Burton Albion.
Neil Critchley opted to start Ashley Fletcher and Kyle Joseph up front against the Hatters, while Jordan Rhodes named on the bench alongside Dom Ballard – who made the move to the Fylde Coast on loan from Southampton last week.
Since joining the Seasiders from Rochdale in 2022, Beesley has scored 14 goals in 51 appearances, and was the club’s second-top scorer in all competitions last season.
Discussing the absence of the ex-Chesterfield and Salford City man, Critchley said: “I’ve had a conversation with Jake this week and he knows my thoughts, he understands where he’s at.
The Seasiders have endured a poor start to the League One season, with their 2-1 defeat away to Crawley Town on the opening weekend being followed by a 3-0 loss at home against Stockport County.
Critchley’s struggled to find a way through their opponents on Saturday, and lost control of the fixture after Hatters’ first goal of the afternoon through Louie Barry, with substitutes Jayden Fevrier and Tanto Olaofe adding their names to the scoresheet soon after.
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