Holloway issues quit threat

Ian Holloway
12 April 2012

Ian Holloway said he will resign if the Premier League punish Blackpool for fielding a weakened team in the 3-2 defeat against Aston Villa.

The Tangerines boss made 10 changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Everton at the weekend for the clash at Villa Park, with only Keith Southern retaining his place, and the visitors were within a minute of getting a point before James Collins' late winner. Wolves were given a suspended £25,000 fine by the Premier League last season after boss Mick McCarthy made 10 changes for a match against Manchester United.

Asked what he would do if the Premier League impose the same punishment on his club, an angry Holloway said: "I'd pack in, I can't work for this madness. I would resign. They do not know what they're talking about."

Holloway, who denied he made the changes with Saturday's match against West Ham in mind, continued: "You haven't got to be a genius to work out what happened to Wolves last year and how wrong that was. Mick can pick whoever he likes.

"We deserved at least a point and how dare anybody tell me the players I've been working with, I can't treat them with respect and give them a chance.

"Because they should have played before now. I wasn't sure they were ready, tonight they have enhanced their reputation with me.

"Let some person from the Premier League even try to tell me who I can pick. I am the manager of Blackpool Football Club and I select people to come to the club and play them whenever I want.

"I'm going to come here and try to beat Aston Villa and I'm going to go to West Ham and try to beat them and all. If I pick a different team, I've got every right to do what I like. Let them try and fine me, it's an absolute disgrace. I'll show the Premier League. We were a credit to football, and let the Premier League try to tell me otherwise."

Holloway's extraordinary rant began during Gerard Houllier's press conference, which the Blackpool boss entered half way through and subsequently stormed out of when a journalist asked the Frenchman his opinion of a possible fine from the Premier League.

The Blackpool boss shouted: "You're so rude and being so disrespectful to my players," before picking up the theme when he returned to face the media himself.

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