The 2024/25 season kicked off this weekend with the transfer window well under way. Many of the league’s bosses will be adapting their transfer plans in response to their side’s opening fixtures.
Neil Critchley’s Blackpool are preparing for their second straight season in the third tier, having been relegated at the end of the 22/23 campaign. They finished the 23/24 League One table in eighth, having flirted with the play-off spots for periods.
Their opening day fixture against Crawley Town finished in a disappointing defeat that saw the League Two play-off winners come out 2-1 winners in Scott Lindsey’s first League One game at the club.
Now the Seasiders are reportedly still keen to strengthen their squad with the fixtures now coming thick and fast. Manager Neil Critchley confirmed to the Blackpool Gazette that his side were interested in securing the talents of Danny Mandroiu, but was non-comital in the likelihood of him joining.
What has been said?
Critchley discussed a potential move:
“We’re speaking to numerous players. We’re talking to Danny (Mandroiu) because he’s a free agent, but we’re in discussions with others. There’s a few weeks to go, we do our work vigorously behind the scenes every day.
“It’s not ideal that the window closes after the start of the season, because people can have their heads turned, but it’s the same for everyone.Â
“The squad might look slightly different in the next few weeks, we’re still working. Regardless of results at the start of the season, it’s our intention to improve and be stronger than we are at the moment. Elkan (Baggott) and Embo (Elliot Embleton) have strengthened us, so we’ll continue.”
Where will Mandriou go?
The Irishman had a difficult 23/24 campaign, there were criticisms of him from sections of the Imps fanbase at times over his attitude, especially following a red card. This also prompted then manager Mark Kennedy to publicly call out the playmaker, which many have speculated was one of the contributing factors behind his departure.
Mandriou is clearly a player with a huge amount of talent, he displayed it regularly in the League of Ireland, but has failed to replicate it in England to date. Any side that signed him would be taking a risk, iif they can unlock his potential they could have one of the best creative talents in the league, but there are plenty of question marks surrounding the player.
Where will Mandriou go?
What has been said?
The Irishman had a difficult 23/24 campaign, there were criticisms of him from sections of the Imps fanbase at times over his attitude, especially following a red card. This also prompted then manager Mark Kennedy to publicly call out the playmaker, which many have speculated was one of the contributing factors behind his departure.
Mandriou is clearly a player with a huge amount of talent, he displayed it regularly in the League of Ireland, but has failed to replicate it in England to date. Any side that signed him would be taking a risk, iif they can unlock his potential they could have one of the best creative talents in the league, but there are plenty of question marks surrounding the player.
Critchley discussed a potential move:
“We’re speaking to numerous players. We’re talking to Danny (Mandroiu) because he’s a free agent, but we’re in discussions with others. There’s a few weeks to go, we do our work vigorously behind the scenes every day.
“It’s not ideal that the window closes after the start of the season, because people can have their heads turned, but it’s the same for everyone.Â
“The squad might look slightly different in the next few weeks, we’re still working. Regardless of results at the start of the season, it’s our intention to improve and be stronger than we are at the moment. Elkan (Baggott) and Embo (Elliot Embleton) have strengthened us, so we’ll continue.”