Usually after a two week break, which included the transfer window closing, Blackpool fans would be buzzing with anticipation about the resumption of the league programme. However, these are trying times at the seaside and most fans would sooner get events off the field sorted before we go in to battle on the field again.
Over the years we've watched other clubs descend in to chaos, fall apart at the seams and self destruct whilst we've sat back and been told 'it could never happen'. Well now it has. Whilst administration and points deduction have been the end result for many of the sides who've fallen foul of poor decisions by those in charge, it's unlikely that Blackpool will ever suffer such a punishment. However Seasiders fans would argue they're suffering a worse indignity as the Chairman embarrasses the club on a daily basis. From the inability to put together a squad, to losing our best young player, to the endless criticism from past players to this week's astonishing interviews for a manager's post which is already taken.
To make matters worse our start to the season reflects the behind the scenes farce. 0 points from 15 games and by the end of play on Saturday we could be the worst team in the league. With Wolves looking a decent bet for back to back promotions, they will prove tough opponents on Saturday and with 3rd place Watford on Tuesday and an away trip to Norwich next Saturday, things could become much worse before they get better. If there was off the field harmony, a side that looked like finding form and a manager determined to prove his critics (and Chairman) wrong then there could be cause for optimism but there have been few signs of this so far. That said, in the face of adversity strange things happen and the unpredictability of Blackpool's season could yet throw up a surprise result.
There are more questions than answers ahead of Saturday's game. Who will be in charge, will either Chairman or manager speak to the press, what sort of side will we field and will anyone actually turn up in the face of growing anger at the Oyston's. Whatever the result on Saturday, 3 points won't mask the problems that are still to be resolved at Bloomfield Road.