Blackpool FC manager Ian Holloway

[The Night Shift]

Holloway certainly has Blackpool FC playing a good brand of attacking football this season. For a team that are unfashionable underdogs that have been universally written off for relegation, his effort is note worthy in such a cut throat and quality league.
Guiding such a small club compared to the other Premiership clubs, with a club imposed 10k pound a week salary cap he has done extremely well thus far, especially when you factor in the bulk of the latest signings only happening a few days before the season started and just before the transfer window cut off.
Holloway steered Blackpool FC to the premier league in one season as manager via play-offs from the Championship, with basically a squad of loans, other clubs rejects and a handful of good players, his ability to motivate a team is certainly on display for all to see.
It's a long season and Blackpool may very well be relegated, but at least it won't be through lack of playing with a little heart and attacking the opposition.
Interestingly all 3 wins have been won away from Bloomfield Road, with Blackpool only having played 2 home games so far, with a draw and a loss the net result.
Ian Holloway has certainly restored his credibility after his last managerial appointment ending up being sacked at Leicester.

 

[SebastianVettel]

The guy is a legend.

He sounded more like a Liverpool manager both before the game and after it, than Hodgson, a pathetic, cowardly excuse for a man, did.

He's always been a top notch bloke, but full credit to him for doing a 180 on his football philosophies after taking some time out of the game - and Blackpool play ****ing sensational football, especially given the lack of funds available.

Holloway is a great man, and someone who has turned himself into a manager of real quality.

Hope like hell they stay up this season, even at our expense or whatever. It's fantastic to see genuinely good people doing well, and Holloway is a great, great man.

 

[Benno_900]

It's refreshing to see, especially on a shoe string budget.

Many of the bottom half clubs are starting to play that way though with some success. All three promoted clubs are playing that sort of football in addition to the likes of Wigan, Fulham and Sunderland. Hell, even Bolton are heading that way.

 

[Mr_Bojangles]

Anyone that can get Stephen Crainey playing well is a decent manager. On the BBC report on the World Service this morning he was going on about how he told his players before the match not to dare swap shirts with the Liverpool players at fulltime as they didnt deserve their respect. It seemed to work.

 

[Jessica Watson]

And he's right too.

We're shit and we don't deserve anyone's respect, you have to earn respect through good, dominating performances.

 

[SebastianVettel]

Not sure why anyone would want a shirt anyway.

"Oh yeah I went and played at Anfield once........ I got Poulsens shirt!"

What a story for the grandkids!

 

[Jessica Watson]

I got Maxi's shirt!

 

[belfast_bomber]

I dunno about legend, but he's a likeable enough fellow, and that seems to be rubbing off on his players.

Reminds me of Manuel Preciado. Good with a quote, going nuts on the touchline, general hangdog demeanour in post-match interviews, iffy facial hair, tries to play adventurous, spirited football with an unfashionable club on a tiny budget.

I see Leicester have just appointed, er, Sven-Goran Eriksson. The Anti-Holloway.

 

[ShearMagic9]

Good story too, considering all of his children are deaf and he's given up a hell of a lot for them.

 

[apollo_creed]

I got Gerrard's shirt. Cool.

Only problem was the shirt was littered with different strains of red.

Not sure what it was or how it got there.

 

[apollo_creed]

Good story too, considering all of his children are deaf and he's given up a hell of a lot for them.

Mr. Holland's Opus.

Great film.

 

[RevDog]

The guy is a legend.

He sounded more like a Liverpool manager both before the game and after it, than Hodgson, a pathetic, cowardly excuse for a man, did.

He's always been a top notch bloke, but full credit to him for doing a 180 on his football philosophies after taking some time out of the game - and Blackpool play ****ing sensational football, especially given the lack of funds available.

Holloway is a great man, and someone who has turned himself into a manager of real quality.

Hope like hell they stay up this season, even at our expense or whatever. It's fantastic to see genuinely good people doing well, and Holloway is a great, great man.

I have to agree with that. It is so refreshing to watch a team play some good attacking football and getting the rewards.

Well done!

 

[SebastianVettel]

I got Gerrard's shirt. Cool.

Only problem was the shirt was littered with different strains of red.

Not sure what it was or how it got there.

Was that after a bashing or a cherry violation?

Or both?

 

[meh]

I got Maxi's shirt!

Judging by his performances, he won't be playing for much longer so his shirt will become a massive momento for Blackpool players.

Hopefully in a few years a young lucky footballer will be able to pick up the sought after 'Maxi' Accrington Stanley strip.

 

[The Night Shift]

lol ^

 

[Vanstead]

Just watched the replay. How good was that?!

 

[The Night Shift]

Just watched the replay. How good was that?!

T'was excellent. They need to sign up Varney permanently. Perhaps next transfer window. Even Crainey looked great. Best game Charlie Adam has played in the premiership.

 

[Dagger5]

He was taking pictures of the Kop and revelling in the history of Anfield.

Now this is a man who understands what it is like to saviour the moment there unlike the current incumbent at the Anfield hotseat.

 

[EnglishWarrior]

T'was excellent. They need to sign up Varney permanently. Perhaps next transfer window. Even Crainey looked great. Best game Charlie Adam has played in the premiership.

How did you end up supporting Blackpool? All power to you - you must be loving it

 

[The Night Shift]

How did you end up supporting Blackpool? All power to you - you must be loving it

Loads of family in and around Blackpool and surronding villages/towns.

 

[Vanstead]

T'was excellent. They need to sign up Varney permanently. Perhaps next transfer window. Even Crainey looked great. Best game Charlie Adam has played in the premiership.

Agree, Varney's been excellent. Good to see Southern get a run too. DJ Campbell was huge too.

How good is Holloway going with his signings?! He sure waited a long time to get started but it's been good so far.

 

[Deledinho]

Anyone that can get Stephen Crainey playing well is a decent manager.

That'd be me then. My captain and first-choice LB on Football Manager before I cracked it and swore I'd never play it again*.

* I will play it again, eventually.

 

[The Night Shift]

Agree, Varney's been excellent. Good to see Southern get a run too. DJ Campbell was huge too.

How good is Holloway going with his signings?! He sure waited a long time to get started but it's been good so far.

I think most of them seem to be working out. Grandin has shown a bit, young Phillips on the wing has lightening pace and his goal at Bloomfield Road against Blackburn was top shelf. Keinan is looking good. DJ's goal at St. James park was decent and killed off Newcastle...
The things that 'Ollie looks for in a player remind me of Mark Harvey at Fremantle where they recruit people with the right attitude for the team to work together. Varney on 10k pounds a week shows up higher paid class defenders because he enjoys being in the premiership. I cant believe we had players not come to terms with the club when we offered them Premiership football and 10k pounds a week salary. Still very good money.
Southern & Vaughn compliment Adam well... they take up some work so Charlie can work his magic. The fact all these late signings are starting to gel is a good sign. Perhaps if things stay positive Oyston will give 'Ollie some more cash and get some more players in January. A big bodied central defender or two. Perhaps another elite midfielder to go along Adam.
I reckon 'Ollie will have the lads breathing fire when they host Man City next weekend. Would be an excellent scalp to get for the first Premiership win at home.

 

[belfast_bomber]

Charlie Adam's been a gun for my fantasy team...

 

[meh]

Holloway fined 25,000 pounds after fielding a weakened side in the 3-2 loss to Villa.

Holloway said he was resign if he was fined for this, interesting to see if he sticks to his word.