Holloway banishing demons with Seasiders

So he may have somehow managed to get us relegated two seasons ago, signing Barry Hayles and a ridiculous pair of Hungarian loanees on the way. In reality Holloway simply added the final hammer blow to an already sinking ship.

But as we say this the same man is preparing to take unfashionable Blackpool into the play-offs, an incredible achievement which perhaps has not been credited with the praise it deserves.

I could be writing this filled with loathing remembering the events of two seasons ago, and this probably would have a very different outlook were we not in the play-offs ourselves.

But in a twisted way we have Holloway to thank for it too. Had we not suffered on that fateful day at the Britannia Stadium we might never had hired Nigel Pearson, the man who has unquestionably had a huge hand in getting us to where we are right now.

Holloway himself is reasonably confident going into Saturday's first leg with Nottingham Forest, saying: 'I've just said that someone's got to win it, why can't it be Blackpool? There wouldn't be a better story anywhere.'

And he's kind of right. Blackpool have been impressively consistent all year, and head into this season's play-off battle in good form, beating Forest themselves recently at Bloomfield Road.

It may be said through gritted teeth, but there's no denying that Holloway has done a brilliant job with extremely limited resources. Many had the Seasiders down as relegation fodder once again for this campaign, but they have defied the odds yet again to produce a spectacular season out of the blue.

Seeing Ian Holloway lift the Championship play-off trophy would not make pleasant viewing for City fans that is for sure, but I for one take my hat off to a fine job this campaign.

But putting an ideal scenario out there, nothing would make us happier than beating him and his side in the final. He still owes us remember...

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