5 Premier League seasons which proved the importance of a stable defence

#2 2010/11 - Blackpool

In the 2010/11 season, Blackpool set an unfortunate record in the Premier League due to their dismal performance at the back. They became the first team to score 50+ goals and get relegated in the season as they mustered 55 goals in total during the course of the season to end up being demoted.

Blackpool attackers showed their class as they averaged nearly 1.50 goals per game which is above-par considering the bottom-table teams. Their defenders were to be blamed as they conceded a whopping 78 goals at an average of around two goals per game which led to their relegation woes. They conceded three or more goals for a record 15 times during the course of the season proving their defensive instability.

Tottenham Hotspur, who scored the same number of goals as Blackpool, finished comfortably in fifth position, 14 places ahead of the Seasiders! Their defence conceded just 46 goals in 38 games and remained solid throughout the season which led them to an Europa league spot.

The main reason for Blackpool's failure was their failure to read the opponent's play. Tottenham's Assou-Ekotto alone managed to make 109 interceptions in total while none of the Blackpool's defenders were able to cross the 50 mark. Blackpool topped the list of scoring the most number of own goals while Tottenham finished at the bottom of the list.

Blackpool's Ian Evatt accumulated a total of six yellow cards and was once sent-off during the season. The Englishman also had his part in two of the five own goals which made this a season to forget for the centre-back.