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Skipper is out for Easter
From the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, first published Friday 21st Apr 2000.
BLACKPOOL are facing an almighty struggle to beat the drop -- and will have to do so without influential skipper Ian Hughes over the Easter period.
The Seasiders must win all four of their remaining games to be in with a chance of staying in Division Two -- and they are already relying on other teams losing to beat the drop.
Hughes, who limped out of the Scunthorpe clash, will not be ready to play in the Bury Match on Saturday (April 22), and might miss out on the Bristol Rovers game. Paul Beesley is the most likely candidate to replace him.
Manager Steve McMahon is likely to revert to a 4-4-2 formation for the Bury game, following the disastrous result against the Iron.
Despite having Mike Newell, John Murphy and James Thomas playing up front, the Seasiders rarely threatened the visitors.
McMahon conceded that he may have been wrong in his selection of formation and players, and is likely to change the look of his side considerably.
But the boss still hasn't given up hope of staying up. He said: "You don't want all the usual cliches -- it's not over until the fat lady sings and all that. But I am an optimist and as long as it's not over, I will do my best to keep the side up."
Both players joined the club at YTS level, and have featured heavily in the youth and reserve sides. Coid's cool appearances for the first team have won him many fans among the Bloomfield Road faithful, especially when he embarrassed North End's Lee Cartwright in the derby, and is a promising prospect.
Bolton boss Sam Allardyce took a look at the 19-year-old striker in a practice match but, while conceding he was impressed with his ability and commitment, revealed he wasn't what he was looking for.
Defender Phil Robinson returned from Bolton last week, following a similarly unsuccessful trial.
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