Blackpool

Swans boss admits Parker interest
Swansea manager Roberto Martinez is likely to strengthen in the January transfer window to help keep their League One title challenge on track. Despite averaging almost two goals a game, Swansea may add another striker with Keigan Parker one possibility. The Scottish frontman, 25, is out of favour at Blackpool and will also be out of contract next summer. "We've been following Keigan Parker since the game we had against Blackpool (last season)," Martinez told SSB. "He performed really well on the day and we've kept our eye on him, as well as another 200 or 300 players that I could mention! "We're never going to stop speculation...but overall we're going to bring people in that are better than what we've got. "If not it's pointless and at the moment the players that are here are making it very difficult to find better players." Whether Swansea move for Parker is complicated by the situation surrounding Warren Feeney. The Northern Ireland international has impressed with six goals in 14 games since joining on loan from Cardiff. Feeney's loan spell ends on 1 January and Swansea are interested in a permanent move. But he will be out of action for the next six to seven weeks with an ankle injury and also the financial problems Cardiff face in court could complicate any deal. A 4-1 romp over visiting Cheltenham on Boxing Day kept the Swans top of League One, but they face a sterner test on Saturday when promotion rivals Leeds come to the Liberty Stadium. "Leeds are a very, very strong side as we all know and it's going to be a glamorous occasion," Martinez added. "We're looking forward to it, it's a sell-out and it's one of those days that the fans really deserve. "We've got fantastic links throughout our history with Leeds United, we need to be ready but enjoy the occasion."

Dundee Utd dismiss bid for Hunt
Dundee United have rejected an offer from Championship side Blackpool for in-form striker Noel Hunt. With 13 goals so far this season, the 27-year-old Irishman is the Tannadice club's leading scorer. "Blackpool came on to us," chairman Eddie Thompson told the Daily Mail. "But within 24 hours we made it clear it was nowhere near our valuation." Hunt is contracted until the summer of 2009 and moved to Tayside from Dunfermline in June 2006.

Blackpool seal signing of McPhee
Blackpool have completed the signing of striker Steve McPhee from Hull City for an undisclosed fee. The 26-year-old, who has agreed a two-and-a-half year deal, was a target for Blackpool manager Simon Grayson last summer and in November. Grayson told Blackpool's website: "We tried to do it in November as a loan deal so at the third time of asking, we've got him now. "He's got a fight to get into the team but is prepared to take the challenge." McPhee joined Hull in May 2005 and made just 18 league starts for the club. He previously had spells with Port Vale and Coventry.

Barnsley pull out of Parker deal
Barnsley have abandoned their interest in Blackpool's out-of-favour striker Keigan Parker. The clubs had reportedly agreed a fee for the 25-year-old Scot, who has also been linked with Swansea, but he was at odds with Barnsley over personal terms. "We made him an offer which we believed was appropriate for an unproven Championship striker," manager Simon Davey told the club's website. "He has turned this down and that is now the end of the matter." Parker scored the second goal in Blackpool's 2-0 League One play-off final win over Yeovil last May, but has failed to find the net this season.

Fans banned after racist chanting
Nine Blackpool fans have been banned by the club after racist and homophobic chanting during the Lancashire derby match with Preston North End. Club officials reacted after complaints about the behaviour of a minority of both sets of fans on Saturday. The nine supporters have been banned from Bloomfield Road for at least 12 months, the club said. Lancashire Police said they arrested two people on suspicion of a racial public order offence during the game. Club secretary Matt Williams said the club was taking the matter seriously. Matt Williams said the club would not tolerate racism "We're not going to tolerate any kind of chanting - either homophobic or racist," said Mr Williams. "We pride ourselves at Bloomfield Road being a family environment for people to come and enjoy football. "We're fully behind the Let's Kick Racism out of Football campaign and our manager Simon Grayson is a patron of the Show Racism the Red Card scheme. "We don't want it, there is no place in society for it - let alone at a football match." Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston told SSB: "It's wrong and people have to be told it's wrong. "We've tried through programme articles and PA announcements on matchdays to point out that this behaviour is unacceptable and won't be tolerated." He added: "We've not had problems particularly with this sort of thing in the past and on the whole our support is absolutely fantastic both home and away. "I don't condone them at all, but you hear these sort of chants all the time at football matches."

Tangerines staying up
Midfielder Keith Southern believes Blackpool's current points tally should ensure Championship football at Bloomfield Road again next season. The 26-year-old, who has missed the last three weeks with a hamstring injury, fully expects to avoid an immediate return to League One. "It's nice to get to 50 points. I think it will be enough to keep us up," he told SSB. "Maybe, possibly another point or two, but I think 50 will be enough." Blackpool have a free weekend due to West Bromwich's FA Cup commitments, and Coventry, Norwich and Leicester could all overtake them in the table. Southern added: "It's a really tight league. I think anyone is capable of beating anyone. Sheffield Wednesday have a game in hand, but I think Southampton and Barnsley are in free-fall, they have got to pick something up. "We can just concentrate on ourselves. We've got some games coming up that we think we can win." The former Everton trainee is expected to be fit for Blackpool's final five matches of the season in which three are at home and two away. Southern said: "I've played 25 games. With a bit of luck I'd have played more but hopefully my injury problems are behind me now and I can play the last couple of games towards the end of the season, then have a good rest and come back strong next year."

Grayson unfazed at Blackpool task
Blackpool manager Simon Grayson is backing his players to get the results they need to beat the drop, despite losing 3-1 to West Brom on Tuesday. The Seasiders are without a victory in seven games and lie four points above the Championship's relegation zone with four games to play. "We're still in a good position in the league," he told SSB. "I'm sure one or two teams below us would like to swap places with us." Grayson added. Despite being without a win since 1 March, Blackpool have lost just five league games since the turn of the year, and Grayson admits his team's recent displays have deserved more. "We're on a run of games where we've played well. It's three defeats in thirteen games. All we do now is move on to the next one. "If it doesn't happen at Cardiff (on Saturday) we move on to the Sheffield Wednesday one," he said. Following the trip to Cardiff and a home match against Sheffield Wednesday, Blackpool end their campaign with games against promotion contenders Plymouth at Home Park and Watford on the final day at Bloomfield Road. Grayson has said his players deserve credit for the way they have played this season, after starting out in August as favourites for the drop. "They have shown the spirit, desire and character to prove people wrong. "You can never fault my players for working hard and believing in themselves. They have proved that they are capable of producing performances against top teams."

Oyston issues Gorkss QPR warning
Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston has revealed he will do everything possible to stop defender Kaspars Gorkss from joining Queens Park Rangers. The Seasiders lodged a formal complaint with the Football Association earlier this month accusing QPR of making an illegal approach for the 26-year-old. "I am happy to leave the FA and the Football League to resolve this," Oyston told BBC Radio Lancashire. "But if I've anything to do with it he would go to any club other than QPR." And the Oyston is refusing to back down from his belief their Championship rivals have breached the rules. "QPR, in my opinion, have behaved really badly and it's probably as blatant as I have seen during my time in football," he said. "They just seem to refuse to follow the basic rules or think they are above the basic rules which of course they are not. We'll just wait and see how it turns out. "I have spoken to Kaspars directly about all this and there have been other clubs coming in and showing an interest in him." Gorkss has made 57 appearances for Blackpool since arriving at Bloomfield Road from Ventspils in January 2007. The Latvia international scored eight goals during last season - including two against Derby in the Carling Cup in August. "We all hope he stays with us at Bloomfield Road but we are again in a situation where he has one of these terrible clauses in his contract," said Oyston. "On one hand it looks as is if we may lose one of our better defenders but manager Simon Grayson seems confident he can find a good replacement if Kaspars leaves and of course we will be doing everything in our powers to try and keep him here with us for next season." Oyston also refused to be drawn on whether fellow Championship sides Burnley and Preston have enquired about Gorkss. "I will not comment on rumours and this is the time of year when they are rife. Our players are back in training on 3 July so there's not too much time for people to do their business anyway. "We'll just wait to see how the Gorkss situation unfolds and go from there."

Blackpool sign Welsh ace Vaughan
Blackpool have signed Wales international midfielder David Vaughan from Real Sociedad for £200,000 - subject to international clearance. Vaughan leaves the Spanish second division club less than a year after joining from Crewe in a £300,000 deal. A product of Dario Gradi's youth set-up, Vaughan made more than 200 appearances for Crewe scoring 20 goals. He has penned a two-year-deal at Bloomfield Road with the option of a further year should he impress. Vaughan, who made his Wales debut in 2003, is expected to fill the void left by Wes Hoolahan's departure and can play in midfield or at left-back.

Blackpool to plan McPhee friendly
Blackpool are looking to arrange a behind-closed-doors friendly during the international break to give Stephen McPhee more football. The striker made a surprise appearance off the bench on Saturday against Cardiff, playing the last 25 minutes. "I hate being injured, so to come back is good," said McPhee, who had not featured since suffering a calf problem at Shrewsbury in pre-season. "I was blowing a bit but that's what it's all about." Meanwhile, manager Simon Grayson praised Alan Gow for salvaging a point against the Bluebirds with an injury-time equaliser. He told Radio Lancashire: "He's got a good reputation for being an attacking player, he's got a good left foot and good technique - we've seen enough in the last few weeks in training to know what he's all about. "Plenty of other clubs were after him before we signed him - he's got good quality - you don't go to Rangers if you haven't - he's got good fitness and he'll be looking to push into the first team now." "It was good to get a goal, I caught it sweet on the half-volley," said Gow. "It's been a long time since I played back at Rangers, it's affected my fitness a bit but I'm feeling a lot better now and hope to be playing more games."

Seasiders Make Move For Nemeth
THE SEASIDERS have strengthened their attacking options ahead of the game against QPR tomorrow night by completing the signing of highly-rated Liverpool striker Krisztian Nemeth on a one-month-loan deal. The 20-year-old Hungarian striker is yet to make an senior appearance for the Liverpool first-team but was an integral part of the Reds' title-winning reserve team last season. He was named Liverpool Fans' Reserve Player of the Year last season and will go straight into the Blackpool squad for the game against QPR. He has been allocated the number 19 shirt.

Blackpool sign Man City teenager
Blackpool have signed Manchester City midfielder Paul Marshall on a one-month loan deal. The 19-year-old has featured regularly for City's reserves this season and could make his Tangerines debut against Crystal Palace on Saturday. Blackpool assistant boss Steve Thompson told the club's website: "Every time we have seen him play, he has impressed. "I am sure he will do well and we will be looking to extend the loan until the end of the season." He added: "He has a sweet left foot and an excellent range of passing, he has a presence in the middle of the park."

Burgess pens new Blackpool deal
Blackpool striker Ben Burgess has signed a new 12-month contract at Bloomfield Road. The 27-year-old, who has recently returned from injury, joined the Championship club from Hull City for an undisclosed fee in August 2006. "I wanted to stay and I wanted to get it sorted a while ago," Burgess told the club's website. "I am happy here, I think I have done well for the club and the club have always done well for me." Meanwhile, striker Danny Mitchley, 19, has joined Blue Square North side Southport until the end of the season.

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway stays calm after victory
Blackpool boss Ian Holloway refused to get carried away after his side started the Premier League season with a 4-0 victory over Wigan. "I'm so proud of these boys," said Holloway. "Some of them only shipped up this week and I had to introduce everybody to each other." "We have still have got our feet on the ground," added the Seasiders boss. "We have got a long, long way to go to get to that target to stay in this wonderful Premier League." Gary Taylor-Fletcher's opening goal kickstarted Blackpool's win before Marlon Harewood added a brace and Alex Baptiste scored with an attempted cross. Striker Harewood was one of three new signings, along with defender Craig Cathcart and midfielder Elliot Grandin, to start against Wigan and Holloway is aware more reinforcements are needed. "I think the lads who I had last year, and the fans, were worried about who I was adding but I think you can see that if you take your time you can get some quality and you don't have to pay the earth for it," added Holloway. "We really needed those boys to come in and I think Marlon was the key. We almost lost him because deals aren't easy to do at this level. "Hopefully, we'll get it sorted and bring some more in because, if you look at the games we've got and the rules, we are miles behind everybody." Holloway did lament the lack of preparation time he has had with a full squad and Blackpool's lack of resources compared to their rivals. "I've had those lads twice on the grass," he continued. "It's been a hideous pre-season for me, the chairman and secretary because I am so shocked at what everybody else is on and what they are paying - we are completely out of our depth. "But we will try our best and keep going. The win is fantastic for the boys to start believing in themselves and keep the momentum going." Wigan boss Roberto Martinez was critical of his team's performance and the attitude they showed. "The first half was unacceptable," he said. "When you play against a team that is newly promoted you know they are going to be ready for the battle and we were a yard off. "We were very slack and sloppy and Blackpool took advantage of that. Then after that everything that could go wrong did go wrong. "We improved in the second half as we imposed ourselves a little better. We scored a goal that was legal and was ruled offside but we didn't put in the basics that you need to win a football game." The game was originally scheduled to be played at Blackpool but was moved to Wigan because of improvements being made to Bloomfield Road. Martinez insisted this was not a reason behind his team's defeat as he added: "We showed a lack of intensity, especially off the ball. "At the start of the Premier League you need to be ready. That's nothing to do with any football issue. "You need to be ready to earn the right to be on the ball and we didn't do that. We allowed Blackpool too much space and we thought having the ball would be enough to win a football game and that's what cost us."

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