BLACKPOOL'S performance certainly wasn't the tonic manager Nigel Worthington needed on Saturday (Sept 25) when he defied doctor's orders to attend the Wycombe game.

After taking the lead through a superb Brett Ormerod goal on 13 minutes, the Seasiders lapsed to allow Wycombe in twice in the space of two minutes, to trail 1-2.

Seven times the Seasiders have played host to Wycombe at Bloomfield Road - and they still haven't managed to beat them yet.

Certain sections of the Bloomfield Road faithful started goading Worthington towards the end of the match - and the disturbance seemed to spread to the players who seemed to niggle with each other. The goal was all down to the efforts of man of the match Marvin Bryan.

He stormed down the right hand side of the pitch and Junior Bent provided the perfect dummy-run for him to cross to the far post.

Man mountain John Murphy soared above the defenders to nod the ball down and Ormerod turned and shot for an excellent opener and his fifth of the season.

On 22 minutes, Bryan again proved to be Blackpool's best attacking force - despite being in central defence.

He caused havoc in Wycombe's midfield, tearing down the centre of the pitch before passing to Murphy, who shot just wide of the upright.

On the past two performances alone, Bryan should be allowed to sign a new deal at Bloomfield Road.

But on 39 minutes Wycombe equalised. Sean Devine worked his way to the left of Blackpool's box and crossed to the right of the area for partner Jermaine McSporran to slam home.

Just two minutes later, McSporran returned the favour in an almost identical goal - this time he supplied the cross and Devine the shot.

The second half was a middling affair with neither side posing too great a threat.

Blackpool appeared tactically bankrupt and again missed the likes Phil Clarkson, Paul Beesley, Steve Bushell and Andy Couzens.

But loan-man Jim Whitley has been taken on for another month - despite appearing to be a step behind his team-mates for a great deal of the match.

Worthington proclaimed afterwards that the performance hadn't been a pick-me-up for him. He said: "It is a problem when we conceded the two goals in the manner in which we did.

"It was one of those days when too many people had a bad day at the office.

"On both occasions the keeper got a bit of a touch on the ball, but their build-ups were nothing too great.

"The players have to believe that they are good players, but too many of them gave the ball away.

"But I'm steering this ship and packing it in would not be a good example for the rest of the crew.

"I have to get the team to believe, individually, how good they are and what a good squad we have here."

On Saturday (Oct 2) the Seasiders travel to Bristol Rovers.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.