Blackpool boss targets Wembley appearance: Ten years on from Premier League promotion

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be dipping into the archives to bring you STEVE CANAVAN’S Gazette reports from a decade ago on Blackpool’s remarkable journey to the promised land.

Ten years ago, Ian Holloway challenged his players to reach Wembley...

Ian Holloway today set himself and his Blackpool team a new target – to reach the Championship play-off final.

The Seasiders boss wants to cap a momentous first season in charge by going all the way to Wembley on May 22, and to within 90 minutes of the Premier League.

After accomplishing their first mission to seal a top-six spot, Holloway allowed his troops a night of celebration on Sunday.

But the squad regrouped at Squires Gate and were told it’s back to business.

The manager wants to beat Nottingham Forest over two legs, starting at Bloomfield Road on Saturday, to reach the final against Cardiff or Leicester.

“We’ve got a massive job to do now but I think it’s a hell of a chance to go in with a fresh attitude,” said Holloway.

“No-one expected us to achieve what we have, so I want us to have a party in the play-offs and play some relaxed, attacking football.

“We can play without fear. That was the problem on Sunday against Bristol City, we had fear of losing that sixth spot.

“Now the pressure is off and we can be ourselves. We’ve beaten Forest twice this year – once very fortunately, the second time Billy Davies made six changes.

“Let’s see if we can handle this and make the season last another three games. If we do that, the last game would be something pretty special. Wouldn’t it be great to get (to Wembley)? Our goal now is to get there.”

Pool have scored more goals than any of the other play-off teams and are the form side – one defeat in their last nine, and that at title winners Newcastle.

Holloway reckons that’s why no-one will fancy taking on his team.

“I’ve said to the players that someone’s got to win it, so why can’t it be Blackpool? There wouldn’t be a better story anywhere,” said the manager.

“If I was anyone else, I wouldn’t want to be playing us. That’s not to say that we’re better than everyone else but we’ve got nothing to lose.

“We can have a right good gamble at it. I don’t think you’ll see us as nervous as we were on Sunday, because we’ve done something now and I don’t think the supporters of the three other clubs in the play-offs will think like that.

“I let them celebrate after the game because I’ve been in football long enough to understand what an achievement this is.

“But if you start resting on your laurels rather than thinking about the next challenge, then you won’t get anywhere.”

Holloway’s achievement comes just two years after he failed to prevent Leicester sliding out of the Championship.

“What I’m proud of is that the lads have proved me right because I’ve been saying all blooming season that they are good enough,” he added.

“No matter how it went, I believed that with the way we play and the lads we’ve got we would be good enough. And for me that is the miracle – I’ve actually got something right!

“The times I’ve believed my team has been good enough and they haven’t done it… maybe it meant I wasn’t good enough.

“But I have kept banging on in the press and in the dressing room and now I am delighted because I feel they have actually done something.

“It is great but now we have to forget it. It’s on with the next challenge now.”