Arsenal loan striker scores in friendly amid competitive absence | OneFootball

Tyreece John-Jules scored in a friendly for Blackpool against Huddersfield Town this week, but he remains absent in competitive fixtures.

Tyreece John-Jules signing for Blackpool (Photo via BlackpoolFC.co.uk)

Earlier this week, Blackpool played a friendly match against Huddersfield Town, giving a chance to some of their lesser-used players.

Unfortunately, that includes Tyreece John-Jules, who hasn’t made a Blackpool squad since October 20th. But the good news is that he scored in the 2-2 friendly draw.

There was some confusion online over whether or not John-Jules was injured, but Blackpool Gazette writer Matt Scrafton suggested he isn’t – with the implication he was just dropped.

The latest quotes from Blackpool boss Neil Critchley seem to support that suggestion.

“Tyreece is in my thoughts and so are all the players,” Critchley said. “It’s a really good group and I have such a tough decision every week.

“Sometimes it’s difficult for players to understand why they are not involved. The difference between starting and not starting is minute.

“The players have to understand they have to be professional, patient and work hard, and when the opportunities come they have to be ready because it is a squad game.

“The players understand they have to do their side of the bargain.

“Arsenal, or whoever, would not want their player to play if they did not deserve to, that’s part and parcel of football at any level.”

Carabao Cup – Blackpool v Sunderland – Neil Critchley, Head Coach of Blackpool, shakes hands with Tyreece John-Jules at the end of the game. Copyright: Craig Thomas / News Images

John-Jules hasn’t done enough to convince Critchley to put him back in yet, as he remained absent for Blackpool’s 3-0 home defeat to Luton Town on Saturday.

Scoring in friendlies is a good start though, particularly given John-Jules’ goal drought was probably what got him dropped in the first place. The striker had a couple of assists in his first 12 games with Blackpool, but no goals.

The 20-year-old was a regular scorer with the Arsenal u23s, but he’s still yet to transfer that to senior football. You’d hope that once he gets one or two, he’ll get the confidence for more.