Holloway calls for use of technology

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway insists instant replay technology should be used by Premier League match officials to make the game fairer.

The outspoken manager said it would benefit everyone – especially referees – to use technology that is already readily available.

Blackpool’s trip to Fulham on Sunday will be officiated the old fashioned way.

“We aren’t allowing the officials to use technology when they’re being judged by television replays with different angles and being shown to be wrong,” Holloway said on Friday.

“That is transmitting to the punters and everybody wonders why it can’t be changed. We see on a Saturday night that referees are wrong because we see camera angles the fourth official could easily see like they do in the cricket and tennis.”

“They only need one person stood at the side to look at say ‘yes that is a goal’ or ‘that is offside’. It would not take two seconds.”

“For me the game is a mess. Let’s start it now, let’s get things right. Give them the technology – it is already there so use it!”

“We should be helping the referees because I would hate do to their job. They must be a bag of nerves when they get home.”

Holloway expressed his excitement about the season run-in, with his team sitting 15th on the table, level on points with three other teams but just one point clear of the relegation zone.

“It’s all to play for and it’s absolutely exciting,” he said.

“Who?s to say we can’t go to Fulham and win? Who’s to say we can’t beat Tottenham or Arsenal here? I’m going to tweak what I do and get even more of the ball and pass it the way the Spanish do.”

“Hopefully we can progress and get even better.”

Blackpool have no new injury problems and will still be without goalkeepers Paul Rachubka (knee) and Matthew Gilks (knee) and defender Chris Basham (broken leg).