The Holloway effect...

The inevitable has happened. Due to Ian Holloway making ten changes to his team last night, the issue is now under investigation. All I ask is why?

This happened last year when Mick McCarthy's Wolves travelled to Old Trafford for a league game and he made ten changes. They faced Burnley in a relegation cruncher the following fixture. Wolves were hit with a £25,000 fine for McCarthy's decision to this. Again I ask why? The Premier League have set a dangerous precedent with that decision last season and it looks as though the same could follow for Blackpool. Mind you, if they get hit with a fine of that magnitude, that's the whole squad's wages for a month, so they could be in trouble!

After the game last night at Villa Park, Holloway was questioned referencing the decision last year by McCarthy. To put it blunty, Holloway said if they fine him or Blackpool, he will resign...quite a statement Ollie. But knowing Hollway through the media as we all do, he always gives his honest opinion, and it wouldn't be a surprise if he did walk away. And who would blame him?

The aggravating issue with all this is that Ian Holloway is a manager of a football club, a club that has shone new light over the Premier League. Blackpool have been fantastic so far this season and let's be honest, they have exceeded everyone's expectations. We all said how great it would be for him to manage in Europe's finest league with his passion and brash views on football and so far he has not dissappointed. Why then are the Premier League investigating him and his decision? Ian Holloway is the manager, he makes the decisions and if he chooses to change his starting eleven (albeit ten changes) then he should be allowed to do so. He sees that game with West Ham as a vital clash so why should the bigwigs of the Premier League get involved? It does my head in with all the interference that goes on in football and it should stop. Keep your noses out of it and let them get on with the game.

For anyone that managed to catch the highlights or watch the game at Villa Park, Blackpool gave Villa a run for their money, they competed from start to finish. It was just their Premier League inexperience that let them down at the last hurdle. If Blackpool got a point from that game, or better still, won it and took home three points to the seaside, would they still be under investiagtion??? It wouldn't make any sense right??? And no doubt he will make another seven to ten changes for the game against West Ham.

The fans need to have more of a say with what goes on in football, and start speaking up in their millions. We don't do enough. We turn up to watch the game and have a grumble about it in the pub afterwards, but nothing is said or done publically.

My message to the Premier League fat cats is not to ruffle Mr. Hollway's feathers as there will be a backlash. He has made the Premier League more exciting and he is a joy to watch in his press conferences. If he says he will quit.....he will quit. So stay away.

Well I'm glad I got that off my chest...

All the best,

Ben x