Holloway: I'll stay calm
Blackpool manager Ian Holloway says he will stay calm this season despite the pressures and frustrations he is currently experiencing.
Holloway's Blackpool side followed up a positive performance against Wigan Athletic by being drubbed 6-0 away at Arsenal. Holloway says he'll try and keep his head this season, which is vital for the club and the players.
Holloway has been known for some notorious outbursts in the past and it was very clear that he was unhappy with the sending off of Ian Evatt during the defeat to Arsenal.
It's very important for the success of the team that the manager can set the example in every area of club life. This means Holloway has to stay calm, measured and assured at all times even though it may contradict what he really feels.
The manager is the leader
The manager is the leader of any club and Blackpool need their boss to stay strong. The drubbing handed out by Arsenal is not likely to be the last defeat that Blackpool experience in the Premier League this season.
Even though Blackpool started very well, they will find it difficult to take any points from the stronger teams in the Premier League. The manager must stay calm because if he is seen to panic then the feeling will spread.
The manager is also seen as a very important figure away from the football field. Players will not approach their manager in relation to certain matters if that manager is seen to be throwing a tantrum at even the smallest hint of bad news.
Holloway said: "I am not a person who likes losing, but I have to stay calm to help my lads because I believe in what we are trying to do. Are we going to be good enough? I honestly don't know - but I need to stay calm and try to play some modern-day football, like Arsenal – Whatever I have got to do, I will do it."
Importance of survival
Holloway said before the season started that he was not really bothered about how the team played this season, he was just happy to have the chance to work with the current group of players and staff at the club.
Now that the season has started, the importance of Blackpool staying up will inject itself into the club. Whatever has been said before will become irrelevant if Blackpool get relegated because of the potential power now across the Premier League.
The manager added: "It is my job to keep them going, it is how you do things, the dignity you keep, we didn't berate the referee and we are going to keep doing that because that's how we got up last year. I believe in honesty, working hard and team spirit, playing in the Continental way. I am a football coach, am developing myself, I want to help my lads and do the best I can."
Betting advice
You're going to have to wait a little bit longer before you start making solid bets on Blackpool to stay up. The scale of their task was demonstrated when they played Arsenal but they showed against Wigan that there could well be three teams in the Premier League who are worse than Blackpool.
Lay off the bets for the next one or two games. If Blackpool react well then don't be afraid to pounce and back them to stay in the top-flight, which Holloway clearly feels they deserve. However, if the bad results keep coming up then it could be a long and negative season for the North West club.
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