Blackpool v Southampton Match of the Day Live

No way, and not interested, it is cliche, it has been done before. He

will get the ice-cream? OK, where do you want me? The donkey or on

the Pier? Seven games to go. Three promotion places. And two sides

looking to hook up their return to the Premier League. I should come

48 times Blackburn and Southampton have met and it has never been a

goalless draw and add to that the knockout entertainment of 138

league goals between them. It could be quite the show! Apparently only

real men wear pink. Now the serious business in the shadow of the

Blackpool Tower, a 90 minutes of football that could have a serious

impact on the Premier League dreams of these teams and after a

gruelling championship and with so much at stake, there is no need for

extra spice but we have added this anyway. Mark Lawrenson, who started

at Preston and Steve Claridge, who played with such pride for

Southampton's famous and bursaries, Portsmouth. Looking out the winner,

memories of the 1970s? The ground is completely different, there was

a hotel one mile away and in those days, in the last 20 minutes, they

would open the gets so I used to watch Blackpool play for the last

20 minutes. I remember the double in 1970. Yes, it has been a massive

change. Bringing it bang up-to-date, we watched Southampton some games

ago, seven games from the end, they are still top. This might happen?

Every chance. We look at the results at they have come across,

it has done them a real favour. If this is a game that they can almost

but it to bed, they will get into the Premiership. If they can put

some distance and depth between them and... They are recognised as

the best team in the lake. Once the manager start saying that, they

will start moving. Some interesting results today. Let's get up-to-date

because this is what has been happening. No separating Brighton

and Middlesbrough. Cardiff missed their chance to return. And that

was a 4th defeat for Hull City. Leeds lost to Watford. And for

different players scoring for Reading and Burnley beat Portsmouth

5 - 1. This is what it means for the league. It makes for

interesting reading. 78 points on the board. Getting close to that

magic 80. If they win today, they will go into the play-off spot. It

is worth reminding people, 2009, relegated to the third year and in

administration? It has been meteoric, the rise. It is a good

club. The structure for the club looks to be in place. The

infrastructure is there. The ground and the facilities and obviously

the people who come to watch. Everything has been players and

they have to just find their bottle on the pitch. It is like Norwich.

like that. They're definitely doing this like Norwich, on the rise.

They will only get better. Momentum isn't something that Black will

have got, eight points from their last eight games. Here's the

manager. You have made wholesale changes, what is the thinking?

a manager and I can do what I like, really. We have had some goals

lately and I think today will be a different type of game, they have a

couple of different game plans and I think I know which one they will

play and they might have to adapt to match that and make it easier. I

am very interested in how my boys react. I have obviously picked what

I think is a good team. I have some older, senior ones that I have left

out. We have a game on Monday and on Friday next week. I am expecting

some reaction from these boys, we had a friendly against Leeds and we

won 5 - 3 and I have a word of some of them. How much encouragement

from the game down below? You ran them close? The fact that we should

have won that. They have been fantastic, all season. Great credit

to Nigel. And they are in the way of what we want to do. We would

love to swap places with them but we have not had the energy they

have had and have not produced the results. Today is about getting a

performance and result that can get us back to the Celts. Ian Holloway

does it again, he has made a name for himself by creating headlines.

There is a raft of changes. Was he right to make these moves?

things you must point out. He will do this on and match to match basis

and that isn't a bad side. They are developing. He has options. Some

games over Easter. He has picked his side and bearing in mind the

opposition. A it'll be much too much basis. He was prickly in that

interview. With the players. He has let so many of them out. Tomkins,

son of Paul Ince. The -- Thomas Ince. And unlike his father, he has

a great left foot. And a raft of different skills. It is interesting

levels spending �37 million on players like Jordan Henderson. And

they allow this man to walk away from unfilled? He has improved

dramatically from the move. You want to play games of football and

this is a good place. Especially for someone like Ken. And you think,

it was a slow-burn, you had the feeling that he would either get

progressively better because he had the attitude, the way he performed

since, and now he just has to finesse those skills. And Stephen

Dobbie. The play-off master. And the interesting thing for back pole

is the three teams at night, they all drew. They have a great

opportunity. How do those players feel when they have not been

getting results? And this amount of change? It is a shot across the

bars? You have to keep your players, regardless, and whether he gets a

reaction remains to be seen. Blackpool have struggled. Let's

hear from Nigel Atkins. Rickie Lambert, to a major player of the

year, does not make it? We have good players, Billy Sharp, we have

Steve De Ridder. We are right for the strikers. But he has been

fantastic but we will not just rely on one player. He had little injury

and came off in a previous game, he trained on Thursday but was not

quite right for today. We have good games next weekend. Billy Sharp

scoring goals? A he has come end and has worked hard and he is fit

and strong and scored twice last week. Could have scored more.

Reading against West Ham. You said you were not even bother to look at

the squash? You cannot affect the scores, we will look at ourselves.

And go through the process. One day you expect today? Blackpool always

tough? They have a good manager, good attacking football and he has

made one or two changes today. They have got goal threats in the team

and very attack-minded. You know all about promotion, is it just a

case of looking at the finishing line? Serious to, one game at a

time. Concentrate and control the Games. Focus and yourselves, we

work hard on the training ground and in the build up. Do everything

to win the game and debrief and put it to bed and get ready for the

next one. Go Glock! That pretty much epitomises the season?

troll, control. I want to know the man with all four site at

Scunthorpe who saw Nigel Adkins as a physio and turn to an end to the

manager. He has done a fantastic job. The results speak for

themselves. A we can hear the fans getting excited. And some excited

players on the pitch. Adam Lallana has been described as the most

exciting and the League and Billy Sharp, almost �2 million? Pushing

over the line when searching for promotion. They had three or four

in the summer which improved them. That was a five-game period when

they head that rocky patch and came out of it and they now have renewed

confidence in everybody. I saw him playing for Doncaster earlier this

season and he had a serious injury so he has done well. I am looking

forward to seeing this fellow. I have heard good reports. Really

attacking, aren't they? atmosphere is building behind us

and Blackpool need a result. gave away a lot and he said control

because what they do not do it is they do not give away easy goals.

They make you work. The other sides in this division, Blackpool, giving

away too simple goals. That is why Southampton are at the top, that is

why they will remain at the top. Here we go, at this stage, you can

forget about the performance. It's all about the result and that is

the hat that they did not wear at the start of the programme! The

plentiful bounty of the Premier League beckons. What will this

afternoon do? Martin Keown is beside Steve Wilson for live

championship football. Blackpool looked very nice with that Orange

face. These are the two top scorers in the Championship this season. We

game because both sounds like to two promotion places all season. If

they win today, they will go and nine points clear of West Ham in

third place with West Ham having lost at home to Reading, who are

second this afternoon. On the other side of that coin, Blackpool's

players know that if they win, they will go back into the play-off

positions. They would be 5th place, moving above Brighton and

Middlesborough, who played out and draw in Brighton this afternoon.

That is the context in which this game is being played. And they come

out into a really cracking up this year as well and as the wind blows

in from the sea, past the Blackpool Tower, up the Golden Mile... And

then to the faces of Blackpool and atmosphere inside the ground today

and no matter what Nigel Adkins has been saying, and you can understand

it, you can only control the control the ball, and saying they

are not interested in their other games, of course they are.

MARTIN KEOWN: It was a physiotherapist all of those years

ago -- he was. It has made him qualified to be a top manager, nice

and simple, he loves his players and I think that is the way forward.

He is very calm in his management and he knows that Ian Holloway will

be desperate to win this game. It is going to be a cracking match.

Southampton will play all of football and expect Blackpool to be

very direct. Ian Holloway rings the changes. Whether he thinks a change

is as good as a rest, I don't know, but he has made seven. Kevin

Phillips is out with a hip injury. Barry Ferguson and Stephen Crainey

are left out. Thomas mayor, son of Paul, is a real prospect -- Thomas

top scorer, indeed the Championship's top scorer, Rickie

Lambert, with a pelvic injury. He was a one-time blackballed trainee.

goalkeeper on their bench today. The referee is Dean Whitestone. And

there is the Southampton boss Nigel Adkins. They have been a leading

the way all the way since August. They did drop off into second place,

as Steve Claridge was referring to, in December and January. They had a

tricky time, 13 points from 12 games, but the business he did in

January seems to have revitalised Southampton. They are very much in

pole position to go back into the Premier League. Seven seasons out

of the top flight. It is amazing, Martin, that when Nigel Adkins to

go back at St Mary's, which is not even 18 months ago, they were 22nd

in League 1. They are now clear at the top of the Championship of.

is phenomenal to get that much success. They are following Norwich

through the divisions. They just played simple, they play the ball

to feet, they all believe in one another. Look out for Lallana, he

is an outstanding talent. A lot of these guys deserve to play in the

Premiership. And a lot of the Blackpool have played in the

Premiership. -- Blackpool guys. They were on they end of a second

half of the season slump that took them out of the Premiership. They

ended up going down on the final day at Old Trafford end that a

dramatic finale to the Premier League season. -- in that. Can they

get back there? Can Southampton get back there? It is a blustery day,

as you can tell from the beach ball that has just blown on from amongst

the 2000 travelling Southampton fans. It is Blackpool he will get

us under way, kick in from left to right in the first 45 minutes. Here

watching the rest, now the rest will watch Blackpool and

Southampton. West Ham, Reading, Cardiff, Brighton and Middlesbrough,

they all have their own agenda as of what they want to see come out

Southampton's win over Doncaster, his former club, last week. Dean

Whitestone, the referee, he took charge of Blackpool's FA Cup win

against Blake would down the road - Southampton. -- a. They don't make

veteran, he is only 35. There are a few Premier League goalkeepers well

quick feet -- you can see Lallana. Expect him to roam around behind

the front two. He has had an with the ball. Both managers down

on his near side have said something to the 4th official

Robert Lewis. They don't like the complete the round, the way it is

bouncing. I am not sure why the referee didn't just be that

straight away -- completely round. We have got a new one. It was like

an Easter egg, the one they were playing with. They should get

everybody to sign it and auction it. It is not much use for anything

side of the post from Guly Do Prado. It was a useful ball through. You

can see his pace, he takes yards after him. Just not able to guide

it into the goal. Should be able to get it in from there, he has done

all of a hard work and he should be doing better. -- the hard work.

Guly Do Prado has just come back caught the headlines this season

but Guly Do Prado has chipped in with 11, Lallana has 12. Billy

Sharp came in January and he is a in the shower moment. He just used

his experience. It is a useful cross in, it should be food and

drink for him. And he nearly fluffs endgame Kelvin Davis has missed

this season. -- the only game. His Gilks was a big loss to Blackpool

last season when he will best half of the campaign after breaking a

protestations of innocence from Pablo that Angel are dismissed. --

offside position. The decision went against Billy Sharp. Yes, good

decision from the linesman, spot on. about him, England Under 19 and

Under 20, and then Scotland found out he could qualify for them and

Craig Levein called him up for a friendly against Slovenia. He

pulled out injured. But we can have a clause with Blackpool that if he

plays for England, they get an add- on to the fee and they sent

Blackpool and invoice and Blackpool scented back, saying the contracts

as if he plays for England, Scotland did not count! -- the

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a really good save from Kelvin Davis, but Taylor-Fletcher will be

disappointed. That was a fantastic move down that right hand side. The

position that he takes up. That was a fantastic save from the keeper.

The Blackpool corner. Thomas Ince... Gary Taylor-Fletcher. Adam Lallana.

Gary Taylor-Fletcher. Could block by Adam Lallana and then smashed

back in by Bob Harris. Really showing his value. Acrobatic. Great

pull back. And it was that definite little flick. Gives the keeper the

chance to save. That was a great move from Blackpool. They might

have lost some experience today, taking Kevin Phillips out of the

team with injury and Barry Ferguson out, Stephen Crainey, but what they

have brought in with Philips and Thomas Ince his place. And energy.

-- is pace. On site. Polls it back. Tonight by Davis. And the rebound,

right across the front of the goal and Blackpool are lucky they are

not in front. That was remarkable. Good early ball. Pulling back. And

really, how on earth has he saved that from there? The reflexes are

outstanding. You wonder about Southampton's defending at times. I

don't think he knows much about that but it was a great save all

the same. Thomas Ince was onside. But back to the keeper with rather

more pace than he wanted. That has given the match some impetus.

Giving Blackpool left. He has lost it. Keith Southern trying to pick

his way through the Southampton jerseys. The visitors have the

Blackpool, isn't it? We have not releasing them pass the ball in

their normal manner so far. The thing which impressed so many

people about back then under Ian Holloway is just the ferocity with

which they attack. Thomas Ince... At Phillips in the middle. Onto the

right foot. Went for the Near right post, Kelvin Davis made the save.

He is a box of tricks on his right hand side. So difficult playing

against a player with the opposite foot. In the one situation he

fancies his chances but the goalkeeper stays up with the good

barrier and that was a good save from him once more. And with his

weaker foot. But it was kept well enough. Gary Taylor-Fletcher,

another good ball. Southampton feeling penned in at the moment.

Adam Lallana, looking for Billy Sharp. That is the goal kick.

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goes over and the referee says penalty! Given by his assistant on

the far side. He looked to the assistant on the far side. And John

Busby said penalty. I am not sure that is a penalty? It's sort of

flashes across them and the offender panics. Harris makes the

contact. Once he feels any kind of contact and he has gone down...

has caught the standing leg. Billy Greeted with patchier that nearly

takes the roof off. -- worth at Shea. But the best of penalties. --

with a cheer. Well, Ricky Lambert takes all the Southampton penalty

is and he isn't here today. Billy Sharp, stepping up to the played

but it was not his best. Matthew is Jack Cork. Adam Lallana. The

Trying to find Stephen Dobbie. Keith Southern, now. Bob Harris,

who conceded that penalty. I don't think Matt Phillips will reach out.

Not quite. Southampton throw. Snapping into those challenges. And

that was a good save from the keeper. Sharp will regret that, I

am sure. That was a good opportunity to put his team in

front. 50-50. If he goes to his himself in the right-back position.

He likes his team to pass the ball, Ian Holloway. Look at the managers.

That tells you everything you need to know. Fiercely competitive men.

Jack Cork. Billy Sharp chasing. Alex Baptiste is there. Jack Cork.

Blackpool throw. Had said and done taken the lead, it would certainly

have been against the run of play. Those are the opportunities you

must take when away from home and that has given Blackpool a real

lift. They have been beaten here three times this season. But they

have won on only one of their last six championship fixtures, against

with this, Blackpool. Phillips. Keith Southern. Blackpool throw.

Phillips. Running. Excellent tackle. Gary Taylor-Fletcher. Keith

Southern with the cross. Here is Fletcher and he goes down -

penalty! Morgan Schneiderlin upon Gary Taylor-Fletcher. And the

second penalty. That was a great run from Gary Taylor-Fletcher.

There was no challenge made, there. He was falling over before he even

gets to his opponent. All credit, to challenges and almost just falls

over, as soon as he feels any contact and he falls into his

opponent, for me, there. Southampton missed their penalty,

can Stephen Dobbie score from 12 yards? His first start in his

corner. No saving that. Blackpool 1, Southampton 0. That was an

excellent penalty for a player who knows all about these situations,

getting promotions, and he really has put that away into the corner.

That was an excellent penalty. other one was 50 - 50. It would

have needed a miracle to stop that. And Blackpool lead. And they come

straight back four more. Both sets, Phillips on the other side and

Thomas Ince on the side, really taking the game to Southampton.

Those two wide men are causing He puts it in. Sharp with the have

from the referee. They want to keep this going. That was a fair and

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honest challenge, in my book. over the bar. It wasn't, was it? It

was Neal Eardley who put this over the top. If you scored from there,

it was the goal of the season, wasn't it? Especially from a right

back. This is it, once Blackpool have got the bit between their

teeth, they are very hard to shake out of their stride. They were just

keep coming at you. -- they will just. You cannot see them just

sitting on this lead, they have to try to take this further to

Defenders do not get enough credit for that. Alex Baptiste was

relegated added the Football League with Mansfield only a couple of

seasons before he was playing in Southampton have had for a while.

They are not fazed, though, they keep playing the same ball out wide

for the goalkeeper to the full- backs, trying to play through the

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because I think they feel Billy Sharp had been impeded. Two options

for Richard Chaplow, Billy Sharp to his right, Julie the Bravo to his

left. -- Guly Do Prado. At that time it was definitely a foul by

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sides, making it difficult for her Blackpool to pick him up -- Richard

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Chaplow. This is the first felt really should have scored.

really should be doing better there. He can see it right in front of him.

It is coming at such a speed, I don't think he can get his head on

it. It is a great chance. They are like statues around him, the

Blackpool players. He should have put away his 7th goal of the season,

the centre half. Instead, at Stephen Dobbie! 2-0! What they

return for Stephen Dobbie! -- what a return. Back at Blackpool in

another loan spell from Swansea City and he scored twice in less

than 10 minutes. Blackpool 2, at Southampton 0. This is just a

hopeful punt up the pitch, something they should be dealing

with, food and drink. He is on to read first. A bit of strength,

muscles him are fed and taxied into the corner. A fantastic returned --

muscles him off it and tucks it into the corner. It is a fantastic

finish. The bit of strength when he needs it, takes the energy from the

defender and the keeper can do nothing about it. In the twinkling

of an eye, from one end to another, from goalkeeper to Stephen Dobbie

to the back of the Southampton net, and the League leaders are in big

this. Nigel Adkins admits to see some character, some response from

his team, -- needs deceive. They just haven't turned up so far in

this one. Within a quarter of an hour of missing a penalty which

would have put Southampton in front, Nigel Adkins'team are two goals

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hour for Southampton. They need to less than 10 minutes, his first two

of the season. Free kick, blackballed. Ince brought down. --

free kick, Blackpool. He feels the challenge and there goes down.

Definitely a free kick. Every time Guly Do Prado gets involved, he

concedes a free kick. It may well be he will receive a cumulative

yellow card after a while. He is making bad point to the Brazilian.

He is calling Dover Jose Fonte, who is the captain -- calling over.

Just as they can you tell your big man up front to be careful where he

is putting his feet. He has taken exception to quite innocuous

challenges and he has pulled him in will be taken in front of a new

segment of Bloomfield Road. They have not settled on their laurels

here, they are extending the stadium. That little segment in the

are on the up and things are looking good today. The referee

still in discussions with Jose font fascinating and really entertaining

final list with Blackpool two years ago, winning promotion to the

Premier League it, he was on loan with Swansea and went back, scored

in the play-off final last season as Swansea were promoted. He hasn't

been too heavily involved in the Premier League and has come back in

search of matches and this is his first start since he came back, two

player of the future by Chelsea without cracking the first team. A

Ince, who didn't make it at Liverpool, at the more you see him,

the more you think they may be left foot is his preferred but but

he has shown today that he has not averse to using his right. A

Dobbie. Southampton will be particularly disappointed, just a

punt up front. He does exceptionally well and it is a

great finish. He knows exactly what he is doing when he gets the ball.

Just absorb the challenge and pokes it into the corner. Southampton

could really do with one back took a few by surprise, I would

hesitate to call it a gamble because he knows his squad better

than anybody, but it has certainly paid off. He has a squad which is

decent and people are coming in and doing exceptionally well. Looking

at their windows, I have been very impressed with both Ince and

Phillips. -- looking at their long, at Ince. He has sown great

character -- just took a bit too long, or Ince. He has shown great

character, coming from Liverpool, and sorting his game out. Just

Championship fixtures, Southampton. They will have to go some here to

keep that run going. But one goal would change everything,

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particularly if it comes before quite tight, that. -- offside. The

flag was up instantaneously. think he was onside and I thought

that straight away. There are probably to Blackpool defenders

Fletcher has shown some lovely touches and vision. He has done

well, he has been a real nuisance talked about Thomas Ince and Matt

Phillips working hard, forcing Southampton to really just go back

throw in. Morgan Schneiderlin. Thomas Ince, Neal Eardley. Here is

do Prado. Matt Phillips, trying to chase it down but it found its mark.

Lallana. They just do not have that accuracy in their passing,

Southampton, at the moment. Blackpool will be happy if they can

just see this through to have time. Blackpool know that Brighton and

members Brown drew with each other. And card of true earlier today. --

Middlesborough. This could turn out to be a very good day for them.

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Adam Lallana just took that away Stephen Dobbie making the wrong. --

making the wrong. Anticipated by Morgan Schneiderlin. Neal Eardley

goes back. It has gone Blackpool's way in the first half. Impressive

stuff. Yes, they are steam rolling. They need this have time to settle

down and be more purposeful in their play in the second half.

the referee says that will do. Stephen Dobbie with two goals in

the space of him minutes, his first two goals of the season. That has

put Blackpool to the good at half- time and they have their goalkeeper

to thank for saving that Billy Sharp penalty. But there is no

question at all that Blackpool are good value for their half-time lead.

The league leaders are in a spot of And what drama here in Blackpool,

the fans on their feet. Beth Ian Holloway was hoping to send a

message to his players by making seven changes, he did and it worked.

He has. There were periods when I saw them play against Leeds earlier

on and they created lots of chances and it was similar to that.

Everything I said before the game, they have done the opposite, tough

to play against and they would make life difficult. At times, that

simply has not happened. They have been sold a and if you look at

Thomas in Stan Wright and Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Stephen Dobbie,

they are winning the game for black POBAL -- Blackpool at the moment.

Southampton should have been 1-0 up for the penalty. And I said to,

what kind of penalty -- tackle is that? You said it was not? It was

not. Goes around the ball and does not take anything apart from that

little effect on the bar. The ball does not move. You always look at

where the ball finishes up. It just carries on the same way. He went

down like a giant redwood. And you will want him to be playing and

scoring penalties. It was a good save and a bad penalty. Easy as

that. He looked nervous, he kept looking at the referee. He was not

focused. That was the definite penalty and that the other end not

long after, in the commentary box they do not think this was a

penalty? The same opinion, it is a foul outside the box, it was just

there and he has almost fallen over. It is very difficult for the

Southampton man. I think you're trying to get out of the way. Sorry,

not for me. It looks like he does move towards a player? It is that

one. A at the that is forward. that was signed as a backwards, he

was not touching him. That is a penalty. That side netting, it goes

early. Still does not get anywhere near it. A and the keeper could not

have done much to say that? 2 - 0. Defensively, Southampton reacted

really Purley. It just is a big punt on the pitch. And the left

side, centre back, I don't know. Puppy comes. For mistakes leading

to that goal. But that was a super finish. He knows the challenge is

coming so he does not try to get the shot off, he waits for the

challenge. When he takes a shot, he takes a keeper by surprise because

he takes it quickly. Just gives himself enough of an ankle. Maybe

the keeper could have come out initially from the header but that

was poor defending. That is a goal but his only scored in the

Championship and down. Not Premier League. Very rarely would you see a

goal like that in the Premier League. Let's talk about

Southampton, they come into this on the back of four victories, are

they missing Ricky Lambert? They are missing somebody who can get a

hold of the ball. They have given it away far too easily. They have

not gone for any real width. The picture at times has been a little

bit congested. Stephen Dobbie has made a real difference because he

has been the link between the midfield and the fund players for

Blackpool. Southampton love to control games, they have not done

that today. Blackpool made loads of chances before they actually got

that penalty and from some really good football. We will look at some

of those later on. Not even winning here might be enough for

Southampton depending on other results because it has been and

interesting day. Here is how things chance for a decent cross and that

was low. Know that! Carlton Cole! West Ham have taken the lead. It

might have come back off the woodwork. And it fell nicely into

the path of Carlton Cole. He has jail that into the bottom corner. -

- drilled that. Can they get back on level terms? Right under the

crossbar, and they have! The Latvian international on the near

post. Having been second best throughout the whole of the second

-- first half, they will go in at half-time 1 - 1. That was not

really a very strong challenge from Kevin Nolan. Roberts. He gets the

rebound off the body of Tomkins. And that was a chance for know all

hunt! Reading are going to go in leading 2-1! -- Noel Hunt. That

makes in their top scorer of the season on it goals. -- eight goals.

The shot was on target by the big central defender, now playing in

midfield. He gets too much -- gets to it first. Hunt! There is going

to be a penalty. That was a rather reckless challenge. Hot tip the

ball away from him. The tackle was late. -- Hunt took. Ian Hart. 3 - 1.

What a comeback this is. Surely securing that position, now? 3 - 1

over West Ham. West Ham have to pull another goal back and give

themselves a chance, here. Gary O'Neill takes the corner. Oh! What

a header! Right into the top corner. From the Portuguese player.

Absolutely right into the corner. Roberts. Wood! That is going to

stand! And Reading have re- established their lead. He took the

ball. It was slipped in and then it hit the heels. Noel Hunt, Was the

offside? Here is Roberts. And he must wait for him. And he has put

it back into the middle. 5! No, no, the flag has gone up. Was he

offside boarded the ball run out? Kevin Nolan. That was a good ball.

What the sea of! -- asave! significant was that? It is three

points, we went behind today and this is always a tough place to

come to. We never really got going for the first 20 minutes and then

took the lead but I thought after that, we played really well and we

stayed in the game. We got ourselves in front. I thought we

were good value. Well done, Reading. This is how crucial that is... You

can see Reading in second place. 76 points. West Ham in third. As it

stands... With black polluting, they are currently in 5th place. If

it finishes like that, black peer will be in the play-offs. --

Blackpool. There hasn't been a more under pressure manager all year.

Look at the Budget and the players, it is right he should be under

pressure. Certain players respond to that and others do not. No doubt

that there is very little room for manoeuvre, shall we say. So it has

strange division. Southampton were in League One last year. They have

some stars but mainly unsung players. West Ham have a majority

of Premiership players, being paid think Kevin Nolan is their top

scorer. Should an Carlton Cole be? A I don't think he is. If you can

get somebody who can get 20 odd goals for you, you have a great

chance. West Ham cannot win at goal. There is talk -- there was talk

that Brian McDermott would go to Wolves, was it wise to stay at

Reading? It certainly looks like it, and with the new owners promising

new funds, it looks like a club on the up. He turned them all back and

got a new contract, happy days. -- he turned Wolves down. Happy days

indeed. You can see all of the action in the Football League Show

tonight. And as well as that, today was one of those rare footballing

days when there were a big bunch of 3pm kick-offs in the Premier League.

Marc Warren so it was very excited. It was nice to see. -- Mark

Lawrenson. Manchester City and the bottom four were all in action, it

was a dramatic day but 27 goals and some shock results. Tunic to Match

Of The Day to find out what happened -- tune in. That is

special look that sexism in football, and also from Wednesday,

the Track Cycling World Cup is live. It is a big opportunity for the

sprinters and endurance riders to stake their Olympic claims.

Wednesday is quite a day for BBC's board, with the US has massed -- US

Masters special looking back at fast-jet and forward to this year.

Tiger Woods fresh from his first tournament win for many a month.

And more football on Friday, we are at Barnsley for Match Of the Day

Live. Barnsley against West Ham. Looking behind me, I can see the

mass Copts have left the pitch which means the players will be on

their way shortly -- mascots. Let's have a look at some other chances

for Blackpool, they could have been more goals. Very much so. They have

been the better side. Butterfield gets caught in the wrong position.

He should possibly have played this and earlier to Ince. As it is,

Fletcher has to control the ball rather than doing something with it.

Ince was the ball earlier, but they made the best of a bad job, and a

great effort from Taylor-Fletcher. Steve, would you have put your foot

through the ball? He wouldn't have been their! This is what they did

well. They got around Southampton in the wide areas and got players

into the box. It looked like it would be another performance like

the Leeds game when Southampton kept -- were kept in it by the

goalkeeper. This was a great ball. Had you been impressed by Ince?

has played very well. Ince, left foot down the right Matt Phillips,

right foot down the left, they have pace and they are direct. He goes

one way, then the other, putting a question mark into the defender's

mind. Plenty of reasons to think Southampton's are completely out of

it. They had some chances and they will look for more like it -- are

not completely out of bed. I think he should score here. It is a great

chance. This is a great ball from Lallana, fantastic vision with a

little reverse pass. The goalkeeper doesn't do an awful lot. The word

that friendly about the goalkeeper when you worked on the telly. --

you weren't. He didn't want to get his kit Dirty! Trying to do too

much with it, and in the end he put it wide. You are going to have to

take a few punches from Blackpool and concede chances but you will

get one or two go the other way. Southampton score first, it will be

a great half. For Ian Holloway, they conceded three goals in the

last game, or three in the game before, what do they do? Score four.

I wondered why you went to manager for longer. Make sure people

contrast -- concentrate and do their jobs and don't let

Southampton back in. They can't change the way they play, they pour

forward and that is the way it is and you have to take defeat on the

chin. It blackballed score the next goal, they are rough. -- IF

Blackpool scored the next goal, had got beaten, they will still be

six points clear, Southampton are playing a bit off the pace. And no

Rickie Lambert. If you look around the dressing room that he is not

playing that it makes a difference. At the same time, it is important

for Southampton to remember a win puts them back over the 60. Mark.

All of the stars are out today -- point mark. Time to go to a couple

of our Owen, Steve Wilson and Martin Keown for the second half

live there. STEVE WILSON: Thank you very much,

you have come back in the nick of time. You might have caught

Martin's half-time TV burp from his cup of tea, but he has got that out

of the way. Steve De Ridder is on for Richard Chaplow. It is a sweat

-- straight position will swap. -- favour of Southampton, who were

really up against it here. Reading winning at West Ham making this a

great opportunity for Saddam turned to go nine points clear of a third

place. -- for Southampton to go nine points clear of third place.

But it is not going that way at the moment. Can they make amends for

what was a below-par 45 minutes. But take nothing away from

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Adkins at half-time, but Steve De looking for a change in performance

without a doubt. He is looking for a reaction and they needed to

respond. You have got to see the job through, plenty of football

left in this season. Southampton still have to play Reading, who are

first half was fairly even, but since then, Blackpool were pretty

much always in the ascendancy. lifted the crowd, lifted the tempo

and suddenly, the players were playing for real. Billy Sharp on

the turn, excellent tackle from Harris. Billy Sharp was in. Bob

Harris arrived from nowhere. gave a penalty away the first half

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds

his cool. He is not somebody who throws teacups or plates of

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds

has won a corner. Phillips has done excellently, winning the race into

the Channel, giving his team time to get out and getting them a

below the highest of the season Baptist again, and it is another

corner. Great pressure from Blackpool. Baptiste attacks the

ball very well, he has got great spring. The defender just doing

try, try again. It is in! And it is 3-0! They were all looking at bad

taste and Ian Evatt arrived. -- Baptiste. Blackpool lead by three.

It is a fantastic head at the far post. They were all looking at Alex

Baptiste, and they are just watching, there is nobody near him.

The marking is shocking. He has punished them. At the end of the

day, he has just got to see it on to his head. Totally free header

had some week. His wife has just had twins and now he has just

headed his second goal of the season to make it 3 - 0. No one saw

that coming! And only seven minutes They are all over Southampton like

a rash at the moment. Keith soon. They have got the corner.

That will have to do for the moment. Blackpool only know how to play one

way - they just keep charging the clearing header. Only Stephen

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there? Blackpool just get forward Three in the middle. The cross

deflected, Blackpool corner. They'd just cannot got -- get their

toehold into the game. No fear, at the moment Southampton cannot live

looking as cool as a cucumber. In comes the corner kick and that will

be another one. They can barely get out of their own penalty area, said

than done. -- Southampton. The corner was short to Keith Southern.

I think that was going to be a shot Seven changes for today's game. It

Matthew Gilks in this. The referee title on this ground in Scunthorpe

five years ago. But they were beaten by Blackpool on the day. It

completely spoiled when the -- winning the title for him. There

are 3-0 down today. -- they are. I would not be surprised to see

half. All the players they have a point to prove, they have really

stood out. Harris, left back. Thomas Ince, Stephen Dobbie, who

scored both goals. -- the two goals. Southern in midfield. Driven across

by Danny Butterfield. Not really dealt with. Alex Baptiste, away.

Great little first touch from the Brazilian, do Prado. And the corner.

Do Prado are showing great strength. And good awareness. And the corner

to Southampton. How many times have we said that in this game? I would

expect him to run that off. Corner- at the back post. And Adam Lallana

own half. He really fires that up. In fairness, normally you would

expect him to do a lot better from that situation. It was a bouncing

bomb that comes at him. He simply cannot keep it down. He did have a

when Kevin Phillips, the former Southampton Blackpool striker,

their top scorer, and Rickie Lambert, were both ruled out. But

with or without them, it has turned out to be really good. Certainly,

if you were neutral or for back-up, it is. Not so much for Southampton

fans. Coming into the play-off situation, with that momentum, you

feel that not many teams will want to play them. Blackpool in the

They would fancy themselves to do that again. The little slut. The

Southampton. With 30 minutes left, in Southampton can just get one,

they just might knock themselves back into their normal rhythm and

get going. Stephen to murder. Danny Butterfield. -- Steve De Ridder.

Every game is high-scoring. I think Ian Holloway excepts the fact that

the way they play football, they are always likely to concede goals.

He has done well, Phillips. Excellent. Winning runner, bags of

energy on the left hand side. are certainly calling the tune at

the moment. Stephen Dobbie has lost it. Jack Cork. Morgan Schneiderlin.

Jack Cork. Alex Baptiste with the clearing header. His next

assignment is the South Coast derby against Portsmouth, which on paper,

he would expect to win. Aside chasing the title against a side

that is battling the Orde's and the drop. But with that kind of Derby,

anything can happen. Then Crystal Palace and then Reading, who are

currently second. They will be taking nothing for granted. Nigel

Atkins has been saying that for weeks now. Nothing for granted.

Stephen Dobbie, they don't want to go forward down here. Then it is

curtains. He should have played Thomas Ince. Do Prado. Morgan

Schneiderlin, forward. Billy Sharp. Still Adam Lallana. Nice little

ball in. The flag is up. Miraculously off the line but it

would not have counted anyway. The shot was offside. Some clearance

from the line. Fantastic. He does not know if that was offside or not.

That was a bad decision from the linesman. Great defending. Never

gives up. I have certainly been impressed with Paris today. That

was about as borderline a decision as they come. He has been excellent,

Bob Harris, at left-back. Kevin Phillips. His second ambitious

attempt of the second half. He has had a couple of those. Confident

young man. I am not sure he is going to score from there, though.

Jos Hooiveld. Harris at left back, the player they brought in from the

Queen of the South. His 6th appearance in tangerine. He

certainly has not done anything wrong today. Alex Baptiste just

kept that away from Billy Sharp. There have been three or four

occasions were a last-ditch intervention has been aided and

someone in a tangerine shirt has found it. Inspirational. He just

spins and manages to get his foot in. Look at that, he adjusts the

Brierley well, there. -- he adjusts really well. Jack Cork. Keith

Sutton. Steve De Ridder. Outside, Bob Harris. Adam Lallana, at the

back post. He seemed to take his eyes off the ball. Neal Eardley was

putting him under pressure. Steve De Ridder has got great pace. He

whips it into the box. Adam Lallana was never going to get onto the end

of that. Good defending. It is just not coming off for Southampton.

They don't really seem to have that option to go wrong. They cannot get

side are going to be slipping into defeat for the first time after 12

games. He has had 18 league games in charge of Southampton and he has

won 50 of those, drawn 16 of the other. That is a bad one. What is

the referee going to do? Thomas of the game. Well, that was late.

This sort of challenge you expect Danny Fox to put in in the first

few minutes of the game, rather than deep into the second half.

Blackpool free kick. Neal Eardley is going to take this. Three more

lurking outside the box. Neal Eardley's delivery. Danny

Butterfield. With the clearance. team today, Southampton, Billy

Sharp has been the third best player forward. Maybe he should

switch with Guly Do Prado, they have not got an option to goal. --

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds

wrong choice at the end of it. -- pace, and all of the goals have

Blackpool players, they are looking more like Southampton were coming

into this game -- you can see. If Southampton are to lose this game,

it is about a reaction. They will want to get something back out of

this before the end of today. will be no time to feel sorry for

themselves when they play Portsmouth next, that is for sure.

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Lallana. I guess there will be inevitable question marks about

Southampton when they lose without this -- like this without their top

scorer. You wouldn't say they are a one-man team by any stretch of the

imagination but do they rely too heavily on the man who has scored

28 goals for them this season, that will be the question. The rest of

the squad have to stand up and be counted and say the answer is no,

they don't. Brett Ormerod will be on shortly. A player who played in

the FA Cup final for Southampton. Coli is another one, he has

featured for them in large part of the season and is out injured. --

Connolly. I am sure they will get area, it is a free kick to

Southampton and this might be an opportunity for them. There are no

complaints here. Definitely catches him. I think Angel expected Ince to

deal with it. Angel get a yellow card. Southampton have a free kick

in an instant -- interesting good stop. Not just the way he got

his hands to it but when he put it to keep it out of the danger area.

Gilks. Yes, excellent save. You would expect him to make it but it

is coming through a group of players. Keeps his eye on it and

about staying calm and keeping your free kick goes their way. He has

been fired up today. A real tussle between them. Taylor-Fletcher has

been excellent today. He has netted everything together going forward.

get. Butterfield has got to put his foot through the ball. In the end,

Taylor-Fletcher get another opportunity. -- gets. Rapturous

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ovation for Matt Phillips as he tenacious as well. He bounces back

off the ground and get another corner for his team. There is going

to be a huge ovation here for Stephen Dobbie, whose two first-

half goals but this game firmly in Blackpool's grasp. -- put there.

Firstly a calmly despatched penalty and the second, a really good

finish. He has been excellent, set his team well on the way in this

one. Can they finish the job for him? Brett Ormerod, who will be 36

this summer, comes on. An FA Cup final loser with Southampton and

nine years ago against Arsenal. was a great day, I remember that

Southampton change, it says Guly Do Prado coming off. Lee Barnard is

coming on to replace him. 14 league goals in League 1 last season. He

hasn't played a lot of football this season. He hasn't scored yet

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds

change. John Fleck is going to command any minute. -- come on any

now. John Fleck, on loan from Rangers. He was very highly rated

at Rangers and was going to be the next big thing in the SPL, it seems

to have gone a little bit astray goal. -- no real sight of a

The it is remarkable, isn't it? side has almost two-thirds of the

possession and the other has almost two-thirds of the attempt. I would

like to see the Southampton possession for the final third,

they have hardly been in the Blackpool half. Here is John Fleck,

he will get 10 minutes, and Matt Phillips, who has done really well

will be coming off. I sense he will be disappointed not to get his name

on the scoresheet but his contribution has been really good.

Yes, that willingness down on this left-hand side to really run at his

opponent. One of the standard players in the first half. -- stand

out. John Fleck is the nephew of today, a couple of 1,000 of them

have come here. -- 2000 of them. The Southampton players are just

ignoring that forward pass, may be lacking a bit of confidence. Maybe

it is the pitch. They just won't play it, it is not going in the

usual manner they play their game. Easy therefore Bob Harris just to

knock it back to his keeper. swallow doesn't make a summer and

one defeat doesn't spoil the season. Everything is in place for

Southampton. The stadium is there, the training ground is excellent,

doing more building work their this week. They had their highest ever

attendance this season for the home game against West Ham, that is the

highest about not only at St Mary's but also at the Dell. They are a

club on the up, but they have played X -- below expectation today.

We all expect them to go up and be in the Premiership, we just want to

see them give a good account of themselves and they are not doing

Blackpool performance that has been full of attacking threat, in many

ways the left-back has stood out more than anyone. Bob Harris has

been excellent today. Lomana LuaLua is about to come on for Blackpool.

I think Ince may be the man who is coming off. I think all around the

pitch, Blackpool have been solid in midfield, the energy and the work-

rate, all off the ball. They have all played their part. Baptiste and

Ian Evatt at the back, they are very strong. They will be very

terms of the way he plays football, he is a completely different type

of player but he can certainly play. Totally different, he runs at

people. He is a young man bouncing back from the disappointment of

leaving Liverpool. Now he has put himself back on the map. On comes

the Manilow and a well. -- Lualua. He found himself back here looking

for a club and was training with Hartlepool. And he ended up at

into the play-offs in form but it is often the side that make the

late run into the play-offs who find themselves going up. At the

moment, the way they have played today, Blackpool look like they're

running into form and if they make the play-offs, their experience,

having gone up from League One and the Championship in the past, would

certainly count in their favour. When you make seven changes like

that, it is almost like a new team and they have played with energy

and new-found belief. I can see no reason why they could not be

successful again. Southampton throw in. Their misery is almost over.

Nigel Adkins, his philosophy isn't to get too excited when the wind

and do not get too downtrodden when you lose. It is all about going

nine points clear. Free kick. Adam Lallana, he has been tripped up.

There has always been a black player to stop Southampton at

mounting any kind of attack. -- -- he is, pointing out what they might

have done better. He loves this, he is a football man, he loves his

football. Bringing success again. Keith Southern. Danny Butterfield.

Southampton free-kick. You would say it has been a very good day for

Blackpool. Those around them have dropped points and they have moved

up into the play-off position. It has been a poor day for Southampton,

great day for Reading. Still plenty of life left in the season, yet!

There will be a great climax. hard to call the results. This is a

real turn up. You just want to get over the line when looking for

promotion. Southampton just want to get promoted. Alex Baptiste, for

Blackpool. The referee gives a free kick. Lots of clubs talk about the

financial rewards of going into the Premiership but to say you are a

Premiership player, there is a real winter that and a lot of the

Southampton players would be desperate to get in there. As many

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds

of them were in League One not so for Southampton. Six more after

today. You have to give Ian Holloway a lot of credit for the

way that he set his team out, workmanlike but they punished

Southampton on the brakes. They have been outstanding, every single

Steve De Ridder. Southampton corner. Harris has done very well. This is

my place, you are not taking it off me. The seven who have been left

out will be wondering if they get back in again in a hurry. All hands

Southampton if Billy Sharp had tucked away that penalty.

Southampton collectively have not played well today. Short of the

best. They have not looked like scoring, have they? The free kick

goes the way of Blackpool. Only 31. have been played, at three goals

for Blackpool, and they are back in the play off positions, what an

excellent performance against Southampton, who are still the

league leaders but now feel the hot breath of Reading over their

shoulders. Excellent goals from Stephen Dobbie, a calmly dispatched

penalty and a lovely finish before half-time, both of them coming

after Matt Gilks had saved a penalty from Billy Sharp. And the

crucial third, a header from Ian Evatt from the corner kick earlier

in the second half. Blackpool have been excellent this afternoon.

Southampton are, well below par, and well beaten. Blackpool 3,

Southampton 0. J eighth and what a war at the

final whistle, they know how to create an atmosphere -- it JAKE

HUMPHREY:. A difficult nine-hour round trip

for the Southampton fans today. Blackballed are fears that the

division and due lookout they table and say a great day for Reading --

you look at. Very much so. I wouldn't be surprised at Nigel

Adkins says it is one of the worst performances of the season, because

I have watched them extensively and haven't seen them play like that

many times. Blackpool went to Reading last year, conceded two

goals like that. Southampton's second half have conceded a goal

that she would never say in a million years they would concede --

you. Ian Holloway was prickly about the players, the last two

performances were not great, he has taken seven out and said here is

your chance and what a great manager he has proved to be.

are well rewarded. Let's go back to the first half, it could have

started so well for Southampton but the story of the Hafiz Blackpool

finished it two goals to the good - the ball. He showed he could tackle

and the second half. He did. It is a decent save but you would expect

him to say they did it goes the right way. Football is a game of If

I Only and if Rickie Lambert was on the pitch, he would have scored. We

don't think this is a penalty, that we think it is a foul outside the

box. He stumbled to the penalty but what a penalty it was. Great

penalty. It was going to take a lot for the referee to even better up

that wasn't. Just before this, Southampton have missed a great

opportunity and all of a sudden, they were 2-0 down. Things changed

the complexion of the game and that was one of them. Just wide belt

just completely switches are full. He didn't have the greatest up at

Bloomfield Road. I had great times their last time and when the

opportunity came up, it was a no- brainer. I know the gaffer and most

of the players and I love the place last time. How big a result is

this? Yes, I think it gets us back in the play-offs. But the results

have to keep coming every week to make sure that we get in there.

What were your thoughts when you got the penalty kick? You had just

seen Billy Sharp this one and you had the chance to put Blackpool

ahead. A -- miss one. I just composed myself. I never dared

myself when I get in that position and you just go one way and hope it

goes in -- doubt myself. There were key goals, one right at the end and

one at the start of the second half. Yes, our great header by Ian Evatt

and it compares them. We are looking forward to the next game.

Are you running into form at just the right time? I hope so, we have

had two hard games, Reading and Southampton, and hopefully we can

build on this performance and try and repeat what we did two years

ago. Well done. When he says repeat what they did, he is talking about

winning six of the last eight games to get promoted. If they go on a

run, they can guarantee a play-off place. They would not be the team

you want to play in the play-offs because of their experience but

also because they have got pace of -- up front and can get goals. You

can catch them on a bad day but she wouldn't want to play them in the

play-offs. The form is king in the play-offs. They went into it with

form and they won the play-offs. They will take that. Also, they

haven't conceded a goal, which is important when you think about the

previous couple of games, so they will be pleased with that.

Especially when you change the team around, that is always a gamble.

Defensively, they were really good. It must be grateful Stephen Dobbie,

let the others do the hard work and covered for six games for the

glory! They have players who know how to get promotion. A clean sheet

for them, not the same for Southampton and perhaps the third

goal summed up the afternoon. I saw Blackpool concede two goals

like this. I don't know what the defender is doing it, but he tries

to second guess. Watch where he goes and watch where Ian Evatt goes.

He tries to second guess. Where is he going? He is not sidearm, he has

gone to try and head the ball -- side on. We saw the second goal and

thought it was bad enough, Bath is worse. That can be sorted out in 10

seconds on the training ground -- that is worse. Why is he trying to

second-guess? Stay with your man. Southampton have had a really good

season but a really bad day today. The had over 60% of the possession.

The -- they had. Sometimes that can tell you lies, you can be knocking

it about at the back. But Martin Keown said, he would love to see

the statistics for the final third. And they are 3-0 down, blackballed

were cruising -- Blackpool were cruising. Nigel Adkins will remind

the players that the last time they lost, they went on a 12 match

unbeaten run. The response is important, particularly next game.

The fans were cheering and clapping at the end, they know it is an off

day and they haven't had many. They will settle for where they are, no

doubt. No need to be negative. will forgive but they would forget.

They might if they beat Portsmouth in the next game. You do not forget

when you are really poor, but you might be able to forgive. Plenty

more football action from the BBC today. Tonight, Match of the Day

and the Football League Show. What did they in the Premier League. You

can see all of the highlights are a really dramatic day -- what a day

in the Premier League. And the Football League Show, a big day in

the Football League as well. What a day for Reading, you can see the

goals from that huge win at West goals from that huge win at West

Ham. All of the goals from around the Football League.

Then Kibworth your company today. We have been borrowing this for the

last couple of hours, will it be in the Cabinet at St Mary's at the end

of the season? Yes. He is struggling to say yes. Probably.

Reading are pushing them now. you very much for your company, it