Blackpool are looking to bounce back from a six game winless run in League One when they welcome Northampton Town to Bloomfield Road.
Ahead of Saturday's game, Steve Bruce has shared his thoughts.
Ahead of Saturday's game, Steve Bruce has shared his thoughts.
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00:00Look, we've had a few injuries. Not that everybody has, but we've had key injuries to players who were playing very, very well and important to the team.
00:09I think if you're any team, really, and you take your big players out, then it becomes a bit of a struggle.
00:16And over that period of time, we've had a bit of a struggle. It's pretty evident.
00:21We're getting close to what the team I picked when I walked through the door.
00:25There's been other ones who've knocked on the door, like the young'un, Terry.
00:29So, we're delighted that we've seen a bit of youth knocking on the door, trying to grab that chance, because some aren't playing well enough, maybe.
00:40And that encourages a young'un who comes and does very well.
00:45Having Ollie Norburn close, maybe, for the weekend has been a huge boost.
00:49He played for all his Natty mates, didn't he? He did very well in them.
00:53Well, he typifies of what I want. He's a fierce competitor. He's a man, and he's a good player at this level.
01:02So, as I've said, you miss your good players, and certainly him being out for a good couple of months has not helped us, that's for sure.
01:11I suppose Ryan Finnegan will be looking as well, thinking...
01:15Ryan, another one, got over injury. How do you find a bit of confidence?
01:18That gives him the confidence, the goal he scored the other night.
01:21So, I thought, arguably, he could have been my best player on the night too, which was good for him, because he's had a tough time.
01:29Being young, injured, not quite happened for him, not really happened for him for a good few months.
01:35All of a sudden, he's played three out of the four games, played well at Jonningham, did well against Liverpool.
01:41Didn't think he could do three games in a week. However, he responded by what he did against Harrogate.
01:48Is it frustrating sometimes as a coach? You can see what you've got on paper, you can see what you've got on the training ground,
01:52but when injury's kicking, you're like, well, what are my options now?
01:55Of course it is. That's why we whinge. That's why we whinge on about it.
01:59Look, the simple facts are, like at Olympia, we play far too many games.
02:05We're asking a human being to do 12.5k, a midfield player for example, 12.5k every three days.
02:13With a competitive nature too, with the sprints and all the rest of it, you end up getting injuries.
02:22I've just read of what Northampton have got. You look at the elite level with Man City and Arsenal, it's incredible.
02:30Everything seems to improve, but the one thing that's not improving is injuries.
02:36And the simple fact is, we play so many games that you're going to pick up injuries and knocks when you play in a real game of football.
02:43Dom Barlow, do you own an international representative this window? Does that offer a good chance?
02:48You mentioned young Terry or Fletcher looking to get in form, or Rose looking to get a run in the league.
02:52Does that offer a good chance for someone to round up North?
02:54Let's hope I pick the right one. To go with Kyle, let's hope I pick the right one.
02:59Yeah, that's my job. Let's hope it's the right pick.
03:05Is it a really big opportunity for them to maybe enhance the play?
03:09Not nearly always, every week. I said to the lads at Arrogant, after what happened last week, we weren't happy against the Orients.
03:16Here's your chance, go and take it. Ryan Finnegan's took it, there's one for example.
03:21How could I leave him out on Saturday? He was, I thought, the best player, scored a great goal.
03:29Delighted for the kid because he's been tough. And there you go, that's what happens in football.
03:34It swings very, very quickly and let's hope he can go and play like he did on Saturday.
03:38On Tuesday, Wednesday, sorry. And encourage him again.