See..............

ciders. There they are but none of the Dickens variety....

Cup ? What cup ? We will remove all thoughts of last Saturday from our minds and hope that a somewhat stronger eleven can do better this weekend as Blackpool make the long trek south. No nastiness intended but I hope they have as miserable a time as I and many others endured when we made the reverse trip under Pardew's " stewardship " when he urged us all to " make a weekend " of it whilst failing to mention that he intended to make a total pig's ear of it !

My opinion of him wasn't very high then and following that and all the other shenanigans it's now lower than a penguin's chuff ! Enough of that t**t, we can concentrate on another manager who may be moving on but in this case of his own volition.

Yes, it's seems the lure of Blackburn's bright lights are proving greater than Blackpool's and have turned Michael Appleton's head. Not taking training today following the approach from Rovers which the Tangerines board previously knocked back. However, that counts for little these days and it won't be any surprise if Appleton departs amid much acrimony with compensation later agreed.

The Seasiders are now getting through managers like, well er... us following Curbs' departure. Appleton only replaced Holloway back in November after he decided to slum it at Palarse. Appleton joined Blackpool having previously promised to stay with Portsmouth to the end so he's getting something of a reputation for switching as soon as something more promising comes along. Mind you. he may live to regret going to Ewood given the bizarre goings on there under the Venkeys. As I understand it that Bowyer geezer is staying in residence until the end of January come hell or high water......what a mess !

How the players will be affected by all the speculation and skullduggery is anyone's guess, we can only hope it has a negative impact on them.

Blackpool should pose a threat up front as they include Tom Ince and the evergreen Kevin Phillips in their ranks. In addition, one Nathan Eccleston is also among their number. I always liked him and felt he didn't get enough opportunity with us.

Nathan was on loan at Tranmere earlier in the season until an injury saw him return to Bloomfield Road. I note that he was fit enough to find a place on the bench last Saturday at the Cottage and came on in the 90th minute. I wouldn't mind seeing him again.

The festive period wasn't great for Blackpool. They drew away to Huddersfield on Boxing Day, lost 4-2 away again, to Boro and drew 0-0 at home to Hull on new year's day. Last Saturday saw a draw with Fulham in the cup.

As ever and particularly with all the injuries we have, it's anyone's guess as to what team Sir Chris will select. For what it's worth, here's mine :- Hamer, Solly, Morrison, Taylor, Evina, Jackson, Pritchard, Wilson, Stephens, Fuller and Yann.

BWP should have been pushing for a place following his performance against Derby but last weekend may have put paid to that.

We are long overdue a win at home on a Saturday, as I'm sure we all know only too well the last one was against Hartlepool back in May ! Hopefully the lads can recapture some of the spirit that led to a wonderful win against the Tom Daley XI. That was of course achieved without any loan players and unless something happens in the meantime, it'll have to be that way again.

Prior to the game we observe a remembrance of those Addicks who've passed away in the last 12 months. I'm sure I'm not alone on these occasions in also reflecting on the lives of those we've lost in other years too especially those close to us. May they all rest in peace.

Come On You Reds !