EPL News: Ian Holloway says gloves are off as Blackpool fight it out for a point against West Ham United
Ian Holloway has come out and said that the gloves are off as Blackpool prepare themselves to get down and dirty in order to ensure their survival in the English Premier League. Blackpool started the season well and even recorded a win
against Liverpool at Anfield. However, Holloway’s men have stumbled recently. Holloway was in the spot light in mid-week as Blackpool made ten changes to their starting line up for their match against Aston Villa.
F.A took notice of the ten changes and might impose a fine on the Seasiders for making so many changes to their first string line up as such changes affect the “competitiveness” of the encounter in question. Holloway came out after the
match and threatened to quit Blackpool if F.A took such steps that they took against Wolverhampton’s ten changes during the 2009-2010 season for their matchup against Manchester United.
Ian spoke after his team’s draw against West Ham United. He said, "I have kept a promise to those who got us up last year that you will play and get your chance. We have had 13 league games now, and the gloves are off - if you make a mistake,
you are out because that bloke could take your place, and that is management."
Speaking on the reports that suggest, Blackpool will be fined for their massive squad changes against Villa, Ian stated, "My chairman needs to see them play because I have bought them and been working with them, hopefully he will be impressed.
I am sure [at Villa] he went 'oh my God who are we playing tonight?' but as he said on the phone 'I pay you to do your job, thanks son.' No-one should tell a manager who to pick, not any chairman, just because you own the club. You should guide it the right
way for the fans, end of story. The manager should have the final say."
Holloway went further ahead to say, "What people should have been saying after the Villa game is: 'Good God - how does he do that with all those people we don't know?' I think I should be able to deal with the squad how I like, and I am
sure with the new 25-man rule which has been implemented this year, that is what it is designed to do. I want to play young players, to get them in the Premier League and for them to have a chance. I made 11 changes again. Will they fine me for that? I don't
think there were going to fine me, this is different because they brought that rule in to try to change things. From my point of view, I just want to get on with it. Just let us manage, that is all I am asking.”
Holloway who is known to be quite explicit in his remarks also added, "If I have got a group of people who came late and I have worked with them, and they are going to get frustrated if I am not allowed to change them whenever I like.
It just doesn't make sense because I would not disrespect anybody - I am after every point I can get, and I believe we can get them."
On the other hand, Avram Grant also spoke to the media about West Ham United’s draw against Blackpool. He said, "We are doing a good job and the wins will come. We need to continue with this, and have no intention to give up. It is strange
situation because if you have one win in 13 you can think the football is not good, the players are not good, but the players develop and are better from month to month. Everything has improved, except the winning - but I am sure we will get wins."
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