So, the start of a New Year, fresh start for everyone and another year to achieve those ambitions. For Michael Appleton, January 2013 presents the opportunity to finally make his mark at Blackpool. Thus far, he's had to shuffle Ian Holloway's pack which, in fairness, was struggling before the former manager's move to Palace. However, Appleton has a big enough pack to shuffle and his next hand will be an interesting one.
A few reassuring facts. Blackpool haven't failed to score in a game since mid-October against Burnley. We still have plenty of goals in the side but just 4 clean sheets all season is costing us. Indeed, we are the 5th highest scoring team in the Championship. We also have a much better record against the top teams than the bottom - we're 8th in the Championship table when playing against top half teams and yet 20th against those in the bottom half. December was actually our second best month of the season and two defeats from ten under Appleton is a record Henning Berg would have killed for. Four home games in the next six present a real opportunity to push on in 2013.
Hull have the best away record in the last 5 games in the Championship - three of those games ending in a 2-1 win with the other a 3-2 victory over Birmingham. Hull have the best record in the league of scoring first and going on to win a game and so the first goal could be a big one. The Tigers have as many clean sheets in their last 7 games as 'Pool have the whole season which reflects how difficult they'll be to break down. Aluko is their top scorer and we know his quality from the home game at Bloomfield Road. Ahmed Elmohamady is a doubt for Hull.
Another tough game but if we play like we did against Leeds then i can see another three points
Prediction
Blackpool 1:3 Hull CIty (Aluko 2, Koren)
A few reassuring facts. Blackpool haven't failed to score in a game since mid-October against Burnley. We still have plenty of goals in the side but just 4 clean sheets all season is costing us. Indeed, we are the 5th highest scoring team in the Championship. We also have a much better record against the top teams than the bottom - we're 8th in the Championship table when playing against top half teams and yet 20th against those in the bottom half. December was actually our second best month of the season and two defeats from ten under Appleton is a record Henning Berg would have killed for. Four home games in the next six present a real opportunity to push on in 2013.
Hull have the best away record in the last 5 games in the Championship - three of those games ending in a 2-1 win with the other a 3-2 victory over Birmingham. Hull have the best record in the league of scoring first and going on to win a game and so the first goal could be a big one. The Tigers have as many clean sheets in their last 7 games as 'Pool have the whole season which reflects how difficult they'll be to break down. Aluko is their top scorer and we know his quality from the home game at Bloomfield Road. Ahmed Elmohamady is a doubt for Hull.
Another tough game but if we play like we did against Leeds then i can see another three points
Prediction
Blackpool 1:3 Hull CIty (Aluko 2, Koren)
