Ian Holloway tells Charlie Adam to keep cool in heat of battle - 10 years on from Blackpool's promotion to the Premier League

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, boss Ian Holloway reminded one of his players about staying disciplined...

Ian Holloway believes Charlie Adam is one of the best players in the Championship but has stressed that the midelder must remain “ice cool” during games.

The Seasiders boss insists he won’t try to change Adam, despite the Scot collecting his 14th booking of the season at the weekend, moving him perilously close to a three-match ban which would carry over into the play-offs.

“He’ll have to try to control himself but can you really change anybody that much?” said Holloway.

“What we did by bringing him to the club is give him a stage on which to play on a regular basis.

“But with the type of actor he is, he has certain characteristics. Now we know that he has to try to get better at that (his discipline) because from my point of view it is costing us and himself if he keeps getting booked.

“The important thing for me though is that normally it is for the right things. I don’t mind yellows for tackles but I don’t like trips or mouthing it.

“But most of Charlie’s have been for tackles. Maybe he should speed up and get there a little bit quicker!

“I will step in if I think I need to. I think the main thing is that he can learn to control himself and his emotions because he is a very emotional player and I think that’s the problem.

“I need him to stay ice cold in the game and not get emotionally charged. That’s what everybody needs to do – me, the fans, players, everybody.”

Seventeen-goal top scorer Adam has been the standout player this term, fully justifying the manager’s decision to spend a club record £500,000 to bring him to Bloomfield Road.

He is almost certain to be named in the PFA’s Championship team of the year to be announced in London on Sunday night and is on the shortlist for the PFA Fans’ player of the year award.

“I believe he has been one of the best players in the Championship this season,” added Holloway.

“Kevin Nolan could run him close, maybe even overtake him, but I have to say Charlie has been an absolute revelation for us.

“What he has brought us on and off the field with this group of lads is beyond what I can tell our fans. He has this tremendous belief and desire to win every match.

“Knowing that it didn’t work out for him at Rangers and he is still fuming about that, I believe he will go on and get even better.

“We have won without him in the past and we might have to again if he carries on getting booked all the time.

“But there’s no doubt what he has added to the squad and my job with Charlie is to make him even better.”