When Blackpool started the season with a victory over Reading, Michael Appletonwould have had high hopes of replicating that result against Stoke City on Saturday.
However, a goal in either half condemned the Seasiders to defeat at the bet365 Stadium, leaving Appleton to accept that there is much work ahead to keep Blackpool out of trouble this season.
Appleton has already made some shrewd additions for this level of English football, the latest being that of Arsenal youngster Charlieq Patino who should give the team an extra spark in the centre of the pitch.
Patino will likely make his first start for the club on Tuesday night, but he and his teammates will be going up against a Barrow side who will be ecstatic with the outcome of their opening two games.
They were clear underdogs to get the better of Stockport County and Bradford City, particularly in succession with their opponents both being fancied to earn promotion.
Nevertheless, Pete Wild witnessed his team record back-to-back 3-2 triumphs, the latter of those coming in a dramatic second half at Holker Street at the weekend.
Barrow were twice pegged back by the Bantams before Josh Gordon scored in the fifth minute of added-on time to extend the 100% record of last season’s 22nd-placed team.
While Wild may have concerns about his team’s defence, Barrow’s start to the campaign is well beyond expectations, and it gives them a free shot at trying to extend that run against higher-profile opponents.
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Patino, Theo Corbeanu and Shayne Lavery are expected to be among the players who are handed starts in the Blackpool XI.Jordan Thorniley is in line to feature in the middle of the
backline, while goalkeeper Chris Maxwell is expected to line up between the sticks.Gary Madine is unlikely to be risked after being withdrawn with a knock to his shin on Saturday.
While Wild is expected to make changes to his Barrow XI, they may be less widespread with Sam McClelland and John Rooney the first in line to earn an opportunity.
