The positives: First away point of the season, another clean sheet and we're a point clear of the bottom. The negatives: Another game where we've not put the ball in the back of the net and we're still not bottom. Whilst the result is a boost, there has to be serious questions asked about out inability to score. Had we have just scored one goal in each of the last 7 games we'd now be on 7 points.
Just three goals all season in the reason that Blackpool find themselves in 23rd place in the Championship and that is becoming increasingly frustrating. Only Forest on the opening day have beaten us by more than one goal and in the last three games we have only conceded once (a penalty) against three very good sides. Today's stats reveal again the reason for that failure in front of goal. Just two shots on target in 90 minutes. Indeed the stats reflect what a good job the Seasiders defence did again at the Amex despite losing Peter Clarke through illness. The home side had 61% possession, had 25 shots at the Blackpool goal and enjoyed 15 corners to the Seasiders two. Their fans must be wondering how they have only come away from that with a point.
With Clarke missing through illness, Jeffrey Rentmeister came in to the squad which only contained 6 substitutions - Clarke did travel but no signs of McKenzie, Grant or Barkhuizen - if Riga doesn't fancy them, get them off the wage bill as soon as possible and let's get some new blood in. Delfouenso started with Miller - who has arguably been the tangerines most disappointing summer acquisition - whilst Zenjov came on at the break for Cykwa and in fairness to Riga he ended with an attack minded side with Ranger and Zoko replacing Lundstram and Oriol. The boss knows he needs points on the board sooner or later and you can tell he's doing all he can to get them.
Much of today's point can be put down to the excellent Joe Lewis in goal who pulled off a number of fine saves in front of a Blackpool defence who at times rode their luck both in terms of possession and conceding set pieces. Holla, Colunga and Dunk all tested the Seasiders resolve which was especially impressive in the six minutes of stoppage time having lost Jeffrey Rentmeister with an ankle injury.
So we've doubled our points, reduced the deficit to safety to 3 points and can return from Brighton with a sense of job done. However, the hard work starts now for Jose Riga as he will know that the week will be spent as much on the phone as on the training ground as he attempts to bring in some much needed quality ahead of Saturday's home game against Norwich. You just feel with those extra bodies and a win that we might finally be able to move on this season.