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.

Thu 14 April, 2011

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.

Thu 14 April, 2011

Montella stays positive

Roma boss Vincenzo Montella felt his side battled well despite difficult weather conditions in their 2-2 Serie A draw with Fiorentina.

In Sunday’s early kick-off, Roma came from behind twice to earn a share of the spoils at Fiorentina’s Stadio Artemi Franchi.

Adrian Mutu opened the scoring for the hosts in the 22nd minute before Francesco Totti restored parity from the penalty spot.

Alessandro Gamberini ensured the home side would lead at the break courtesy of a 35th minute goal, only for Totti to intervene again with a 52nd minute strike.

Caretaker manager Montella was pleased with his players’ resilience, particularly given the wintry weather that he felt hampered their usual style of play.

“There were probably a couple of factors behind this result, but one was definitely more of a factor than the other. In my view, I felt the wind was the major factor,” Montella said.

“In the first half playing was very difficult with that wind, especially for a team like ours which is used to playing and passing the ball. Fiorentina proved that too in the second half, because they had some problems too.”

“I prefer to stress the reaction that the team had in the second half because they reacted well and it wasn’t easy in the conditions we had to face.”

“That’s why I’m looking on the bright side and staying positive. Of course we have some things to regret in the first half. Usually when you start badly you finish badly as well. It’s difficult to finish better, but today we ended the game better than we started.”

Mon 21 March, 2011

Montella stays positive

Roma boss Vincenzo Montella felt his side battled well despite difficult weather conditions in their 2-2 Serie A draw with Fiorentina.

In Sunday’s early kick-off, Roma came from behind twice to earn a share of the spoils at Fiorentina’s Stadio Artemi Franchi.

Adrian Mutu opened the scoring for the hosts in the 22nd minute before Francesco Totti restored parity from the penalty spot.

Alessandro Gamberini ensured the home side would lead at the break courtesy of a 35th minute goal, only for Totti to intervene again with a 52nd minute strike.

Caretaker manager Montella was pleased with his players’ resilience, particularly given the wintry weather that he felt hampered their usual style of play.

“There were probably a couple of factors behind this result, but one was definitely more of a factor than the other. In my view, I felt the wind was the major factor,” Montella said.

“In the first half playing was very difficult with that wind, especially for a team like ours which is used to playing and passing the ball. Fiorentina proved that too in the second half, because they had some problems too.”

“I prefer to stress the reaction that the team had in the second half because they reacted well and it wasn’t easy in the conditions we had to face.”

“That’s why I’m looking on the bright side and staying positive. Of course we have some things to regret in the first half. Usually when you start badly you finish badly as well. It’s difficult to finish better, but today we ended the game better than we started.”

Mon 21 March, 2011