The Mick McCarthy “it can” meme is known far and wide as social media shorthand for woeful underperformance, although the full context is not.
When McCarthy was infamously asked if a miserable run of one win in 17 games could continue and issued the deadpan response “it can”, he was the Blackpool manager struggling through his ill-fated 2023 spell.
While Blackpool’s current predicament is not quite so desperate yet, a 1-0 defeat at Stockport on Saturday made it two wins from 12 League One games this season to leave the Seasiders second bottom. Fears the situation could deteriorate further after the failure and sacking of another veteran manager in Steve Bruce this week are alarmingly real, with injuries hitting hard and any pre-season optimism long gone.
After an encouraging summer during which the owner, Simon Sadler, invested heavily and the club were lauded for their signings that included the experienced George Honeyman and Michael Ihiekwe from Championship clubs, few Blackpool fans expected to be languishing in the relegation zone. A playoff place was viewed as the bare minimum after last season’s ninth-place finish under Bruce, but the team are 23rd and already four points from safety.
Stephen Dobbie is the club hero tasked, for now, with piecing it back together. The Scot has stepped up as interim manager having been part of Bruce’s backroom team and heard his name heartily sung by a sellout away contingent at Edgeley Park. Dobbie’s remit, after talks this week with Sadler, is to take charge of the team “until further notice”. But at Stockport he was unable to inspire a change in fortunes, despite seeing some positives.
“The fans were unbelievable, sadly we just couldn’t get that goal for them,” he said. “Just a little bit more composure, technique and timing of the runs into the box instead of rushing the crosses, that’s now the aim. I can’t fault the players’ character.”
With Blackpool’s shape and strategy at Stockport similar to the Bruce era, it was clear Dobbie’s priority was to restore confidence rather than to enact any major tactical tweaks. He may get another couple of games in charge, but many fans expect an established League One appointment, such as Richie Wellens or Ian Evatt, both former Blackpool players.
“There is lots of goodwill for Dobbie,” said Blackpool supporter Tom Mayne, who runs the It’s Not Orange podcast. “It’s not his fault we’re in this position, he’s a great man and he’s been a massive part of our recent history. Some fans want a name like Wellens, but I really wouldn’t mind Dobbie getting the job long term. We need someone who’s going to be ruthless and command respect.”
The first half at Stockport had an ominously familiar feel for Blackpool fans, with their team on the back foot throughout. Goalkeeper Franco Ravizzoli was equal to Kyle Wootton’s fourth-minute header and produced another good stop to palm away Ollie Norwood’s fizzing free-kick. The visitors had to twice scramble clear amid more Stockport dominance around the half-hour mark and a rare effort on goal, scuffed tamely by Dale Taylor, prompted gallows humour from the travelling faithful. “We’ve had a shot,” came their ironic chant.
Dobbie’s half-time words did jolt an improvement of sorts from Blackpool early in the second half. But with the game stretching and Stockport pushing harder for their goal, the hosts deservedly went ahead through Joseph Olowu from a set piece. It had taken a fine Ravizzoli fingertip save from Odin Bailey to keep it level but the resulting corner proved Blackpool’s undoing. “That’s been the story of our season,” said Dobbie.
The interim manager did point to his team’s late rally as another note of positivity, yet it rarely looked like being enough against a savvy Stockport defence.
Blackpool are second bottom of League One with eight points. Much more will be required in the coming weeks to avoid a relegation battle this season. A vital home game against Wycombe, who are only four points ahead in 19th, awaits next week.
“The players are hurting the same as everyone else,” Dobbie said. “It’s about trying to get the confidence back in them. I’ve got massive faith in the group. We’ve got injuries, so it’s a trying time for everyone. I’m confident in everyone’s ability to make a difference and I’ve got no doubt results will change. It’s a collective effort from the staff, not just the players.”
Mayne, like most fans, would be dumbfounded to see Blackpool reduced to a fight for survival this season, but said: “If this form continues over the next five or six games and we don’t appoint a manager, it could become a really hard season.”
The mission for Dobbie and whoever succeeds Bruce on a permanent basis is clear: rediscover the confidence and get a promotion-worthy squad finally punching its weight again. As Mayne said: “By playing players in their right positions and getting us to attack games, I think we can beat anyone in this league. So far it’s been pathetic to be honest. It hasn’t taken much to beat us.”
