Oh I do (not) like to be beside the Seaside

When the fixtures came out last summer the first one I looked for was Blackpool away. This was a ground I had never visited before, although I came close once back in the early 1990's. We had been drawn away to Blackpool in the 5th round of the FA Cup if we could win our 4th round replay at QPR, and the weekend by the seaside had already been planned days before we lost 2-0 at Loftus Road...

So nearly twenty years later I was finally able to make the trip although much has changed in the intervening period, not least the fact that my companion for the day was my 7 year old son Emerson who was not even a twinkle in my eye back in 1990!

Now I have been to Blackpool several times over the years, mainly to visit the Pleasure Beach, and I have to say I have never liked the place. It is a typical, run-down British seaside town that has seen far better days but has somehow still maintained an almost mystical-like quality that makes people want to go. Can't think why. Give me Southend or Margate anyday...

Emerson enjoying another away day

As luck would have it our visit fell on the hottest weekend of the year so far and a Sunday lunchtime kick off meant an early start so Emerson and me set off from Barton at 10.30am. Okay not that early then but it was a Sunday...

The journey across the A66, through Kirkby Steven and down the M6 was pleasant enough with me and Emerson playing our usual prediction game. I, rather optimistically, went for a 4-1 Arsenal win while Emerson, more conservatively, went for his usual 2-1. We were making good time until we reached the end of the M55 just outside Blackpool when it appeared that the world and his mother had decided to visit the place. Eventually we crawled into the town where we discovered that the local council had decided to dig up the main road. Good work guys. Don't think about doing it during the winter when no doubt the place is a ghost town eh?? No, just dig it up as the schools are off for Easter and the sun finally comes out. Genius!!

With the 1.30pm kick off time fast approaching and nowhere to park we were starting to panic, especially as we were picking our tickets up from a guy outside the ground who had already phoned three times to ask where we were. In the end I just left the car on the corner of a side-street about five minutes walk from the ground, not on a yellow line but not exactly well parked either, although time was very much of the essence now. We eventually met our pal Ian outside the away end just five minutes before kick off but with a long queue building up to what was apparently our entrance, although it looked more like a bomb site. Mmm I'm sure it will be okay when it's finished. I mean you have only had since last May...

While queuing we were desperate to find out the starting line-up and I asked a guy in front if Theo Walcott was playing. 'No thank God,' was his reply. Emerson looked shocked. 'But he's our best player...'he protested. 'Yeah,' replied Mr. Happy in front, 'If you forget Fabregas, Nasri, Robin, Jack and Andrey...'
I tried to argue that this was exactly the sort of game that would suit Walcott, and he had of course scored a hat-trick against them in August, but it was no use. It seemed Emerson and me were alone in our praise for the speedy winger.

Anyway by the time we had got into the ground the match had already started and it wasn't the right wing position that was the main talking point anymore, but the goalkeeper. There, before my very eyes, was Jens Lehmann. Wow! After Coco's dreadful recent performances I was actually pleased to see the German playing and happy that Wenger had finally made a stand, but it appeared Coco had been injured in the warm-up so the decision had been somewhat forced on him. Oh well...thank heavens for small mercies

The ground itself was rather nice, well at least 3/4 of it was. Our stand being the obvious exception. Portakabins for toilets, minimal facilities and a floor that shook whenever you jumped up and down on it is not what we are used to in the Premier League. Of course I have seen worse following the Daggers but then they don't charge £40 for a view obscured by supporting pillars. As much as I admire Ian Holloway and they way his team play I really hope they go down as their prices are nothing short of criminal and their ground is Championship standard at best...

View from our seats...not as good as it looks

But roared on by a passionate crowd behind the goal to our left Blackpool started well and it soon became clear why mad Jens was back at the club. He was shouting at his defence and commanding his area, something we haven't seen from a keeper since he left three years ago. He had a long discussion with Abu Diaby about his marking at a free kick and made it clear exactly was he expected which is just what some of them need back there.

From that solid base we began to get on top and went in front mid-way the first half with a sweeping move that was finished off by Diaby from close range with the home defence nowhere to be seen. Ironically Diaby had lost the ball in the build up to the goal which had led to the Walcott-doubter sitting next to me to call him useless just seconds before he put the ball in the net. Didn't stop him jumping about like a looney though did it. What a hypocite!!

It was 2-0 soon after with a wonderful strike from Eboue, following a lovely 1-2 with Jack, and the new fans favourite ran over the celebrate with us to the strains of 'We love Eboue, boue, we love E-boue' to the tune of 90's dance hit We Like To Move It Move It...

It should have been 4 or 5 by the break as Nasser hit the post, RvP teed up Diaby only for him to dally too long and get tackled (perhaps he is useless after all!), while RvP also had an effort ruled out for offside. As for Blackpool well they worked hard but it seemed their only tactic was to hit long balls into the corners, very Wimbledon circa 1988, a bit like their town then...

Half time 'entertainment' was provided by a fan from each club racing against each other inside a big inflatable ball. The winner was set to land £250 and inevitably it was the Blackpool fan who finished first leading to chants from the home fans of 'You're going to win f**k all.' Yes quiet possibly, although I was confident I would clean up in the penny arcades after the match...

The half time ball race!

Fired up by a rocket from Holloway, Blackpool came out all guns blazing at the start of the second half and pulled a goal back with a swift break five minutes in. Jack mis-timed a tackle on halfway and DJ Campbell, not the DJ Nicky Campbell from Radio 2 I assume, was upended by Lehmann in the area only for ex-Dagger Gary Taylor-Fletcher to roll the ball in. It was an incident similar to the one that had seen Mad Jens dismissed in the Champions League final in 2006 but thankfully this time the ref, Lee Mason, allowed the goal instead, although he did book Jack for his foul in the build up. With only an injured Almunia on the bench the last thing we needed was to have our new-old keeper sent off!

Now while I was pleased for Taylor-Fletcher to score it did lead to a rather uncomfortable twenty minutes as Blackpool threw everything at us. The guy sitting next to me was not a happy bunny again and kept shouting abuse at everyone wearing yellow and was convinced it would now finish 2-2. Emerson, on the other hand, kept saying he was going to be right with his prediction while I was just praying we wouldn't blow it again...

Then came the moment me and Emerson had been looking forward to, the introduction of Theo. 'He will score,' said Emerson confidently and I have to say I was inclined to agree. He immediately made a difference as the tide of the match swung back in our favour and inevitably he was involved in our clinching third goal. Some lovely play from Diaby in the far right hand corner, a lovely flick by Cesc and Theo was away down the right. I was hoping he would cut inside and go for goal himself but instead he looked up and played the perfect ball for RvP to smash home. Cue delirium in our end and smug looks from Emerson and myself to the guy around us who had been doubting Theo earlier. So that was that. A must win game that we actually won and with the only ex-Dagger on the pitch scoring as well it was almost the perfect away day.

Celebrating an away win in the sun, happy days!

Of course you cannot visit Blackpool without a walk along the seafront and a visit to the arcades but it seemed the Blackpool fans were right after all as I did win f**k all, although the three points and a happy Emerson more then made up for that! Seven cup finals to come then...