Blackpool had to produce best form to fight back and progress – Simon Grayson

Posted Monday, December 02, 2019 by PA

Blackpool manager Simon Grayson believes his side had to produce their absolute best to come from behind and beat sixth-tier Maidstone 3-1 to reach the third round of the FA Cup.

Saidou Khan smashed the Stones ahead midway through the first half with a rasping half-volley from the edge of the box to take a slender lead into the break.

But the Tangerines equalised two minutes into the second half when Joe Nuttall’s cross was blasted by Ryan Johnson into George Elokobi and trickled over the line to level the scores.

And Nathan Delfouneso did the rest as he headed Sullay Kaikai’s cross past Jake Cole before pouncing on Elokobi’s poor pass and going on to finish smartly.

“We had to make sure we were professional in our approach, make sure that we did whatever was required to be in the hat on Monday night because we knew they were going to give everything,” said Grayson.

“We knew that these lads that are part time would give everything to be playing at the Emirates, at the Etihad, Old Trafford or anywhere like that and whatever they threw at us we had to make sure we matched them.

“First half was a frustrating half for us really in terms of we didn’t move the ball quick enough.

“We were too slow and too pedestrian in our build-up play which allowed them to get their shape back. Obviously the lad scores a worldie which puts us under a little bit of pressure.

“We had to get started in the second half really brightly and we had to be more positive.

“We decided to change the shape at half-time to 4-4-2, ask questions of them more, and obviously it was nice to get them quickfire goals.”

Maidstone boss Hakan Hayrettin put his side’s demise down to a crazy five-minute period in the second half but was pleased with the performances of his players.

“It was five minutes of madness, wasn’t it – I can’t even put my finger on it,” said Hayrettin.

“It was obviously a combination of the first goal being an own-goal, I believe, but still I don’t know if we tried to play offside and it came undone.

“The second one, they just got in behind us but if you take that out of the game, I thought we were a credit, I thought we did ever so well against a very, very good team.

“If you look at their stats, November’s probably been their best month, so we can’t take anything away from them and I thought the boys were a credit to the club.

“I’m pretty sure knowing how people work in this industry that they probably got a talking to at half time and picked up the pace, but we should have dealt with it better.

“Even at 2-1 down we’ve still got a chance. To come here and do what we did, take the five minutes out of the game, I thought we were brilliant.”