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# Premier League would like to see us relegated, says Blackpool manager Ian
Holloway
## Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has made the astonishing claim that the
Premier League would be "relieved" to see his club relegated.
![Premier League would like to see us relegated, says Blackpool manager Ian
Holloway][1]
Take a bow: Blackpool manager Ian Holloway is in a fighting mood as he takes
his entertaining side to Manchester United with a chance to enjoy a Premier
League party Photo: AFP
[![Mark Ogden][2]][3]
By [Mark Ogden][4] 10:30PM BST 18 May 2011
[Follow Mark Ogden on Twitter][5]
[Comments][6]
He also said he was insulted by suggestions the only way his side could beat
**[Manchester United][7]** at Old Trafford on Sunday was if the champions
fielded a weakened team.
Holloway, who bemoaned the "mad" and "surreal" world of top-flight football
during an explosive press conference on Wednesday, remains angered by the
Premier League's decision to fine Blackpool £25,000 after he fielded an under-
strength team at Aston Villa last November.
But with **[Blackpool][8]** facing United with their **[Premier League][9]**
future hanging by a thread, Holloway claims the game's authorities will shed
no tears should the Lancashire club be relegated.
"They will be relieved if we lose and get relegated." Holloway said. "Then I
am not badgering all these people who don't do their jobs very well. They will
be relieved because I won't then be sat here saying what I am saying.
"Already, our division is saying we can't beat Manchester United. It does us a
massive disrespect. They think we can only beat United if they are weak. What
a load of baloney. Unfortunately, that is what we are dealing with.
## Related Articles
* [Never lost for words][10]
19 May 2011
* [Holloway: Blackpool have to be perfect][11]
18 May 2011
* [Ferdinand keen to maintain momentum][12]
17 May 2011
* [Holloway antics mean Blackpool may miss out][13]
16 May 2011
* [Blackpool 4 Bolton 3][14]
14 May 2011
* [Fan's Countdown stunt][15]
13 May 2011
"I am glad I don't go to work thinking that, otherwise I would never have got
promoted last year. That attitude offends me. I take it as a personal insult
that, if we beat United, they might get fined because we are supposed to be
crap. I don't understand. Aren't we capable of winning?"
As he prepares to face the biggest, most daunting challenge of his managerial
career, it was fitting that Holloway arrived to discuss Blackpool's fate
having seemingly dressed himself as Rocky Balboa.
Wearing a body-warmer, jogging bottoms and hooded top, he appeared ready for a
fight on Blackpool's behalf. But he goes into Sunday's clash with United,
where Blackpool could be relegated with a victory or survive with a defeat, in
the role as the undisputed people's champion.
"Someone in the gym came up to me last night and he said, 'Fantastic, thanks
for entertaining us'." Holloway said. "It takes something to speak to someone
on the treadmill beside you when you're running and can hardly breathe to say,
'Well done!' At first I didn't get it, but that's great.
"We live in the world of money and we are the club with the least in the
history of it, yet we have played some fantastic football and have the chance
to stay up.
"The disappointment if we go down would be massive. It's too hard and too
emotional to put into words."
Having taken six points off Liverpool, secured five away victories and given
United the fright of their life when leading 2-0 before falling to a 3-2
defeat against the champions at Bloomfield Road in January, Blackpool have won
many admirers.
Yet there have been too many seven-goal thrillers in tangerine this season.
Too many points lost by a failure to grind out results and, in Holloway's
words, "shut up shop".
"My contingency plan is exactly the same as it has been for the last two
years," Holloway said. "We're going to try to outscore this lot in front of us
and when we've got one goal, let's go and get another one because we are no
good at shutting up shop.
"Our shop never closes. It could be those late-night openings which cost us
our position because we've conceded a few late goals, haven't we?
"Blackburn away, 2-0 up, how important was that one? How important are the two
points which got away at Tottenham? But for us to go Old Trafford on Sunday is
fitting. I think we deserve it and I think we deserve a crack at trying to do
the impossible.
"I wouldn't pick any other game or team than United. I want this one because I
believe it's set up for us to have a tremendous day.
"Imagine what it might mean if we are celebrating at Manchester United. I
imagine them having a party and us having a party with them. It would be in
keeping with our journey so far to do it there because, realistically, our
journey is a bit special."
Holloway believes the build-up to Blackpool's date with destiny has been
marred by negativity, however.
A meeting of the club's first-team squad was called on Tuesday to inform the
players who would be retained and which unlucky ones would be released this
summer. Seven players are to be released, including two, who Holloway would
not name publicly, who could be involved at Old Trafford.
And despite taking Blackpool to the brink of survival against all the odds,
Holloway admits he has been angered by his chairman, Karl Oyston, being asked
whether his manager's position would be safe should the club be relegated.
"That question gets to me." Holloway said. "It's brilliant, isn't it? I'm
watching TV with questions being asked about my future, and some bloke patted
me on the back and said: 'Well done, you've still got a job'.
"The question was asked because West Ham sacked their manager. But we're not
West Ham. We have got 39 points with a budget of £10 million, so I find it
quite hilarious to be honest.
"The chairman has backed me right from the time of my interview two years ago,
and that's how it should be. I never undermine my chairman, and he never
undermines me.
"This whole industry is unreal, but I don't know any other, so I'm having a go
at it. This week, of all weeks, I've had to tell seven of my players that we
will be releasing them.
"All the contract options, which we do so cleverly, have had to be taken up as
if we were still in the Championship, and because the rules state players have
to be told by the third Thursday in May, we had to tell them this week.
"We contacted the league and tried to get it pushed back a week, but were told
there's no leeway on that, which is just great. It's been hideous.
"So amongst all this wonderful euphoria from playing so well and giving
ourselves a chance by beating Bolton last Saturday, we have had to tell
certain players they no longer have a contract or that we've taken up options
that will see their wages cut. So now we'll see whether I'm any good as a
motivator this weekend!"
But despite United's 13-month unbeaten record at Old Trafford, Holloway is not
giving up hope. "We know we can beat them because of what happened here [in
January], but as Fairground Attraction sung: 'It's got to be perfect!' We
could win and go down, or lose and stay up, so it promises to be a crazy day.
Quite surreal."
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