Ian Holloway admits he is looking for a new strategy ahead of Monday's visit of Chelsea.
Pool boss forced into rethink with Campbell facing three-match ban
Blackpool boss Ian Holloway admits he has been forced to look for a new strategy ahead of Monday night's home game against Chelsea.
For much of the season Holloway has continued to deploy the attacking 4-3-3 formation which led Pool to promotion last season, with captain Charlie Adam pulling the strings in midfield and top scorer DJ Campbell leading the attack.
But 10-goal Campbell blotted his copybook last week as he was sent off for pushing Wolves defender Richard Stearman in retaliation.
The Seasiders went on to lose 4-0 and will be without Campbell for the next three games, while Adam must also serve the second game of a two-match ban against Chelsea.
Striker Marlon Harewood has joined Championship side Barnsley on loan and can not be recalled for at least a month so Holloway is exploring his attacking options in the absence of Campbell.
"DJ had a moment of madness which he has apologised for, but that is all about dealing with the adulation at this level," he said.
"When we were 1-0 down and got kicked a little bit he responded the wrong way and he knows now he is going to miss three out of the last 10 games.
"Such is life - but I have got to come up with something to help my lads get close to and get above Chelsea.
"We've got to do it without Charlie and DJ but that will give other people a chance to play.
Influential
"Are they as good as those two? We don't know yet until I give them a chance. But we are not the same team without DJ and Charlie Adam."
With 10 games left, Blackpool are only four points above the relegation zone and, after hosting Chelsea, they still have to play title chasers Arsenal and Manchester United in the run-in.
January signing Sergei Kornilenko could be handed a chance after scoring one goal and winning the penalty for the other in the reserves' 2-1 win over Liverpool on Thursday, but Holloway admits it will be a tall order to fill Campbell's boots.
Sharp
"Survival is still the target," Holloway added. "We need at least two more wins and two more draws but it is an impossible question to answer as to how much we will miss DJ.
"He is one our best players, is as sharp as a tack, and I don't believe he has ever been in the form he is in at the minute and he's getting better every week.
"Now he is going to have to sit on the side, he's our highest goalscorer and we can't have him when we need him the most.
"I am going to have to play a different type because I've got no-one else like him. He is electric with both feet, can move in and out of space, and we've lost that Jack-in-a-box who can pop up and score anywhere."
