MX23RW : Friday, December 20 14:18:07| >> :120:20951:20951:
Middlesbrough logo
Championship
Dec 29, 2012 at 3pm UK
 
Blackpool

4-2

Smallwood (36'), McDonald (62'), Miller (14'), Reach (88')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Basham (76'), Thomas (59')

Michael Appleton disappointed by first-half performance

Appleton surprised by poor start
© PA Photos
Blackpool manager Michael Appleton reveals that he was surprised to see his team play so poorly in the first half of their defeat to Middlesbrough.

Michael Appleton has admitted that a poor start cost Blackpool a point against Middlesbrough on Saturday.

The Seasiders trailed by two goals on two occasions in the match before Thomas Ince saw a penalty saved shortly before Adam Reach made it 4-2 at the Riverside Stadium.

Appleton said: "It was disappointing for myself and the staff and more so for the players because they were well short of how they can play.

"I've got to say I didn't see that first half coming. We improved in the second half and nearly did enough to get back into it.

"At the end of the day we are one excellent penalty save away from salvaging a game away at a side that are up at the top."

Blackpool are currently 12th in the Championship.

ID:61575: cacheID:61575:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1861:
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Thomas Ince celebrates after scoring his second goal on December 1, 2012
Read Next:
Mid-season report: Blackpool
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Broncos
27-34
Chargers
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Wycombe WanderersWycombe19134243222143
2Birmingham CityBirmingham18133234161842
3Wrexham20125330131741
4Huddersfield TownHuddersfield19113530181236
5Stockport CountyStockport2096532211133
6Reading199463028231
7Barnsley208662926330
8Bolton WanderersBolton189362829-130
9Lincoln CityLincoln207762625128
10Blackpool197572931-226
11Mansfield TownMansfield187472222025
12Stevenage187471517-225
13Peterborough UnitedPeterborough197393735224
14Charlton AthleticCharlton196671819-124
15Exeter CityExeter197391721-424
16Wigan AthleticWigan196581716123
17Rotherham UnitedRotherham186571920-123
18Leyton Orient196491920-122
19Northampton TownNorthampton205692129-821
20Bristol Rovers1963101728-1121
21Crawley TownCrawley1954102032-1219
22Cambridge UnitedCambridge1945102031-1117
23Burton Albion1926111630-1412
24Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury1932141939-2011


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!