Blackpool win at Penrith but hard work starts here for Karl Oyston and Jose Riga
Sunday 20 July 2014 15:51, UK
Sky Sports News' Peter Stevenson reports from Cumbria, where Blackpool fielded five trialists in a 4-0 win over Penrith.
A drizzly day in north Cumbria was a poor substitute for a training camp in Spain.
But at least Blackpool's frustrated fans had a victory to celebrate in Jose Riga's first game in charge. A starting XI containing five trialists was much too strong for Northern League side Penrith.
Nathan Delfouneso, once of Aston Villa, scored twice, with further goals before the break from Sergei Zenjov and Bobby Grant.
It could have been double that, but for fine saves from farmer Josh Richardson in the Penrith goal.
Riga was warmly applauded to his seat in the main stand at picturesque Frenchfield Park, and there were sporadic chants of 'Oyston out' during the game.
And now chairman Karl Oyston and Riga have just three weeks to recruit at least a dozen players to prevent the Seasiders having a disastrous start to the new Championship season.
After the game, no players or staff from Blackpool were allowed to do media interviews.
Indeed, Tim Fielding, chairman of the recently formed supporters' trust, believes Oyston and Riga haven't fully resolved their differences over who to buy and at what price.
"This was a good workout," said Fielding, "but we now need quality and Mr Oyston has to loosen the purse strings in the coming days.
"We believe a parachute payment is due soon from the Premier League and that money has to be used to buy players."
Blackpool's boss now has two weeks to build a team to take on new Premier League side Burnley in another friendly, then a week later comes a tough opening league trip to Stuart Pearce's Nottingham Forest.
Penrith, meanwhile, open their league campaign on the same day - August 9th - against the wonderfully titled West Allotment Celtic!
