Holloway positive Blackpool can survive

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway thinks they will have the edge against their upcoming opponents due to the Tangerines’ early season form.

Holloway’s men have an impressive record against the sides they face in their battle to remain in the English Premier League, including Saturday’s visitors Wigan, who they beat 4-0 on the opening day.

“Over the last 18 points we have got to fight for, we have already got 13 points from corresponding fixtures earlier in the season,” Holloway said.

“It’s a fantastic division this year – nobody knows who is going to beat who.”

“To stay up would be a major achievement for this football club – and for football in general I believe – someone with a budget of our size can stand up for the man in the street and smash all these big people in the face and say ‘have that’.”

“I believe by the end of this season we could be having the biggest party this place has ever seen.”

“It was fantastic last year when we won promotion and it will be even bigger if we stay up.”

“The fans are as huge a part of this as anybody.”

“They make the atmosphere a delight to come and work in.”

Blackpool have won only one of their last 11 Premier League games as promising early season form has slipped severely.

Holloway slammed referee Lee Mason after he failed to award a penalty in last weekend’s 3-1 defeat at home to Arsenal. It was the latest in a catalogue of seemingly unjust decisions for Blackpool who have had little luck with match officials recently.

“I’m ever so sorry but if the foul on Gary Taylor-Fletcher wasn’t a penalty, (the referee) needs glasses,” Holloway said.

“We need to score more goals than the team we’re playing against – simple as that. At the moment we are not doing that so we will have a go.”

“It would have helped if – having watched it again – the decisions went our way.”

Richard Kingson continues in goal as Matt Gilks remains out with a knee injury.

Defender Chris Basham (broken leg) and forward Billy Clarke (knee) are both on the sidelines.