The Matt Scrafton column: Welcome selection problems for Blackpool boss Neil Critchley

Then I thought to myself ‘Where does he fit in? What does it mean for James Husband and Demetri Mitchell?’

On the face of it, it seems like a bit of an odd signing.

Not because he isn’t a good player. Far from it, he’s an excellent signing for this level, as proven by the envious glances directed Blackpool’s way from fans of Sunderland and Ipswich Town, two massive clubs in League One likely to be promotion rivals this season.

Garbutt, by all accounts, had hoped to seal a move to the Championship this summer, having also flirted with the two aforementioned clubs. But, given the global pandemic and the recent introduction of the salary cap, such a move never materialised.

Well acquainted with the work of former Liverpool Under-23s coach Neil Critchley, and able to stay in the North West, Blackpool seemed like as good a fit as any for the Merseyside-based player.

Did the Seasiders need an extra left-back, given what they’ve already got at their disposal? In Mitchell and Husband, Pool already have two more than capable full-backs.

As several Pool fans joked on social media, the club, in recent times at least, appears to have a strange obsession with collecting left-backs. But there we go...

It was widely acknowledged among the fanbase that defensive reinforcements were a necessity, despite a hugely encouraging start to the season which has seen just one goal conceded in the club’s opening four competitive games of the campaign.

But supporters widely expected to see arrivals come in the centre of defence and at right-back, and that may still transpire.

With the arrival of Garbutt, a highly experienced full-back who will be expecting regular first-team football, that causes something of a selection headache for Critchley.

That, of course, is no bad thing. You can never have too much quality in your side and, if you’re serious about promotion like Blackpool are, then it’s extremely handy to have two quality players for each position.

The former England Under-21 international is flexible too, as he’s an attack-minded defender who is also capable of playing further up the pitch. Critchley has made it abundantly clear this summer that versatility will be key.

Critchley, however, will stick to his 4-3-3 system and rightfully so, it’s key that Blackpool have consistency where each player knows their individual role in the team. But it’s a formation that doesn’t involve the traditional role of a winger. Can we honestly expect to see him on the left of the front three? Doubtful.

If Garbutt is to play at left-back, where he will feel at home given Critchley’s desire to see full-backs get forward with their driving runs, one would assume that Husband might now be seen as cover for the centre-back positions.

The 26-year-old played there on a couple of occasions in pre-season and performed well, so it’s a role Critchley will know the defender can fulfil and be relied upon.

As for Mitchell, he’s made a blistering start to his Blackpool career. He was very good on his debut at Plymouth Argyle and was even better in the weekend win against Swindon Town. If it wasn’t for CJ Hamilton’s brilliance, he would have won the Man of the Match award.

Given his recent record of serious injuries, can the former Manchester United youngster be relied upon this season to play 40-plus games? We simply don’t know, but one would assume it was a consideration that Critchley and the club had to take into account when weighing up whether or not to bring in Garbutt.

Because of the congested fixture list brought about by the global pandemic, Pool’s head coach needs players who can be relied upon to do a job when others are either unavailable or not up to full fitness.

In Garbutt, Mitchell and Husband, the Seasiders boast an enviable line-up of left-backs that any other club in the third tier would die for. Indeed, Blackpool beat Sunderland to the signings of both Garbutt and Mitchell.

When you consider Calum Macdonald, currently on loan at Tranmere Rovers, is still officially on the club’s books then you have to say there’s currently an embarrassment of riches in that position.

While still only 27, Garbutt will also bring some much needed experience to what is a very youthful Blackpool squad.

Indeed, the defender, who is known to be something of a set-piece specialist, is the only summer recruit aged over 25 who has arrived at Bloomfield Road this summer.