Blackpool - Premier League season preview

By Mirror Football in Mirror Football Blog

Published 21:30 09/08/10

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Last season's finish: 6th in Championship
Lawro's prediction: 20th

Lawro's verdict
It’s hard to see Blackpool staying up. But they will go down the Burnley way – being sensible and spending within their budget.

With the extra parachute payments, this can be the making of the club and it will be fun with Ian Holloway in charge.

But though Blackpool will make a fight of it, the Premier League is unforgiving and this promises be a season of relegation and struggle.

Gaffer: Ian Holloway
Batty as a barmcake persona does not hide a shrewd man-manager who stuck to his footballing principles and was rewarded beyond all possible Tangerine dreams at Wembley.

Survival would be a true achievement but this is the top-flight opportunity “Ollie” has long craved. Expect some television-heaven interviews.

Key Man: Charlie Adam
The former Rangers man was in danger of disappearing through the football plug-hole but his move to Bloomfield Road has rejuvenated him.

He is in line for a Scotland Euro qualifiers call-up and Blackpool will need him to go close to his 16 goals from midfield if they are to harbour realistic survival hopes.

Ins and outs
Out
Ben Burgess - Notts County (Free)

Ins
Craig Cathcart - Manchester United (Undisclosed)
Ludovic Sylvestre - Mlada Boleslav (Undisclosed)
Elliot Grandin - CSKA Sofia (Undisclosed)
Malaury Martin - Monaco (Free)

Fan's eye view
Click here to read the fan's view with Andy Burbridge from Blackpool Supporters' Association

Did you know?
Blackpool attempted more shots (104) on target from outside the box than any other side in the Championship.

Blackpool scored the lowest percentage of goals (19%) from set pieces in the Championship.

Big interview: Ian Holloway
Ian Holloway’s favourite film is Braveheart – and as a new season starts he’s ready to cast Charlie Adam in the title role.

Proud Scot Adam is the man who will personify the belief of Blackpool’s boss that his team can pull off the most amazing ­survival story in the Premier League’s history.

But it’s not raw aggression, fight or the willingness to put his foot into a tackle that makes ­24-year-old Adam the rebel ­leader of the top flight’s new boys – it’s his courage to put his foot on the ball and pass it.

Holloway said: “Every squad in the world should have at least one Scot in it.

“Fabio Capello talked about English spirit, but I’d like to flag up the Scottish spirit.

“One of my favourite films is Braveheart and I’ve been trying to sign players who are related to William Wallace all my life because you have to stand up for what you believe in.”

In Ollie’s case that’s a conviction you can still play champagne football with a squad that in Premier League terms is more like a glass of tap water.

And Adam, 6ft 1in tall and with a sweet left foot that can split open defences, is the man who will bring out the bubbles just as he did as the seaside club, ­favourites to drop down to League One, instead stormed through the Championship to win ­promotion.

The superb free-kick that ­inspired a Wembley win over Cardiff was his 19th of a ­remarkable season that paid back his £500,000 fee from Rangers umpteen times over.

Holloway (right) added: “Life’s all about encouragement. When I first came to the club all the fans were telling me about what ­Charlie had done for them­ on loan the year before and kept asking me, ‘Is he ­coming back?’

“I watched the ­videos of what he had done and ­recognised a fantastic ­footballer.

“I then managed to ­persuade the owner and ­chairman to invest the money it would take to sign him, which was more than the club had ever spent before.

“They could see the value ­because he cherishes the ball, makes sure he masters it and he can pass. He is undoubtedly a fantastic talent.”

Chairman Karl Oyston (below) and the club’s Latvian owner Valeri ­Belokon put up the cash for the deal and stand to profit if Adam’s Premier League impact brings big bids from top clubs.

But they’ve already turned down the chance to cash in and Adam himself is interested only in repaying Holloway for the faith invested in him so far.

He said: “The manager has been absolutely right for me because he encourages us all to play and really that’s all you want.

“Everything here is about the team rather than individuals and that’s something else I’ve enjoyed – and I think we’re all looking forward to the challenge that’s ahead of us.

“It was a step up for me last season to move from Scotland and to be playing in the ­Championship.

“I’d had a little taste of what it was about when I was on loan, but the ­experience of dealing with so many games was a great ­learning curve.

“I hope it toughened me up a bit. I’m still young and I feel that I’m still growing into my strength and that ­definitely helped me.

“I don’t know if I’m a ­Premier League player yet because I’ve not appeared in it, but the aim for all of us is to prove we are ­capable of ­performing at this level. It’s what we have to believe in.”

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