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Ormerod heading into the unknown
BRETT Ormerod has signed up for another year at Blackpool admitting he has "no idea what to expect" from manager Ian Holloway.
Ormerod and the rest of the Seasiders squad will meet their new boss for the first time next Wednesday when pre-season training starts.
The striker has heard of Holloway's plans to introduce tough double sessions, which will include Olympic-style weight-training workouts.
Like most footballers, Ormerod isn't a fan of the pre-season – which often involves more work without a football than with it.
But 32-year-old, who yesterday put pen to paper on a one-year contract with a further 12-month option, says the arrival of a manager with Holloway's reputation willmake life more interesting.
Ormerod said: "I do feel quite excited and I know the other lads do as well. Everyone is in same boat– we don't really know what to expect.
I'm sure pre-season will be hard work but hopefully enjoyable as well.
"No sane footballer can say he enjoys pre-season – I definitely don't. But it is a must, especially in today's game, and you've got to get on with it. But for me, the quicker the footballs come out the better.
"Obviously it is going to be hard work, but I've had some of the hardest pre-seasons ever under Gordon Strachan (at Southampton) and Alan Irvine (Preston). If it's going to top those, then I am scared!
"But I'm looking forward to meeting the newmanager, which should be good. I've come across Ian Holloway inmytime and spoken to him once or twice, though I can't say I've ever had a deep conversation with him.
"He has a very good reputation in the game and hopefully he can help take this club forward."
Ormerod scored twice in 15 Pool appearances at the back end of last season, and his good form and a willingness to work hard were thereasons Pool wanted him to stay.
It took longer than expected to thrash out the new deal, and Holloway
had to intervene before the striker could reach agreement with chairman Karl Oyston.
Ormerod added: "It is never easy negotiating here, that's for sure! People thought I was taking the mickey when I said I didn't know what I'd be doing next season or whether I'd still be a footballer, but I genuinely didn't have a clue whether I would get another club.
"I spoke to one or two during the summer, but I always said I'd rather stay at Blackpool if the deal was right. Thankfully it was sorted ... eventually."
Ormerod began his League career at Bloomfield Road in 1997 and joined Southampton in the Premier League four years later.
He said it was an emotional moment to re-sign for the Seasiders in January, and he enjoyed his second spell at the club so much he wanted to extend his stay.
"It's about being happy," added Ormerod.
"When I came back here it felt like I'd never been away. There are good lads here and familiar surroundings.
"It's good to be in the Championship but at my time of life it is more important to be somewhere you are happy. Had it been different when I came back, perhaps I wouldn't have signed, but I had a good, strong finish to the season."
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Weather for Blackpool
Thursday 24 May 2012
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Temperature: 14 C to 20 C
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