May
22

Congratulations to Blackpool

Filed under: Premier League Fixtures, Results - Posted by: Sir Paulos

…And then there were twenty. Blackpool’s dramatic Wembley win over Cardiff this afternoon now finalises the line up for next season’s Premier League, as they join Newcastle and West Brom in gaining promotion from the Championship.

Without doubt, it’s the proverbial “fairytale” ending to the season for a team many had marked down as relegation candidates at the start of the 2009-10 campaign.

In what was the hottest day of the year so far, the seasiders edged out Cardiff City 3-2 to take their place in the top-flight for the first time since 1971. Much of the credit must go to their charismatic manager Ian Holloway, whose attack-minded policy has paid dividends in spectacular style today.

Clearly, the Premier League will be a much more colourful place with the eccentric Bristolian involved; who else in football could you possibly imagine explaining a tactical game plan with the use of teddy bears?

As we all sun ourselves -it’s even shining in Scotland!!- in preparation for tonight’s Champions League final, here’s some more samples of the wit and wisdom of Ian Holloway.

It’ll be a tough task for Blackpool to keep themselves in next season’s top flight, but let’s not throw a wet blanket over the celebrations just yet. For today, it’s suffice to say: Congratulations, and welcome to the Premier League Blackpool.

About The Author

“Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season.”

Sir Paulos @ffscout_paulos

> See all posts by this author

0 Responses to “Congratulations to Blackpool”

Commenting is now closed for this post.

Scout Picks

For Gameweek Twenty Four

  • Krul
  • Vermaelen
  • Kompany
  • Huth
  • Silva
  • Morrison
  • Bale
  • Valencia
  • Ba
  • van Persie
  • Agüero
  • Taiwo
  • Donovan
  • Zamora

Recent Comments

Partners

Next Six Ticker

The Watchlist

Goalkeepers

Player Club Factors
No Change Krul NEW A, Vs
No Change Hart MCI B, Vs
No Change Kenny QPR C, Vs, Rest, £
Up Al-Habsi WIG B, Vs, £
Up Schwarzer FUL C, Vs, Inj
No Change Mignolet SUN B, £
Up Vorm SWA B, £
No Change Foster WBA B
Up Robinson BLA C, Vs
Down Hennessey WOL B, Vs
No Change Sørensen STO B, Vs, Rest, £
No Change Bogdan BOL C, Rest, £

Defenders

Player Club Factors
No Change Richards MCI B, Vs, Inj
No Change Simpson NEW B, Vs, £
Up Senderos FUL B, Vs, Rest, £
Up Evans MUN B, VsX, £
Up Rangel SWA B, VsX, £
No Change Bardsley SUN B, £
Up Taiwo QPR C, Vs, £
Up Cole CHE C, Vs
No Change Vermaelen ARS C
Down Assou-Ekotto TOT A, VsX
No Change Clark AVL B, Vs, OoP, £
Down Riise FUL C, Vs, Rest
No Change McAuley WBA C, £
Down Johnson WOL C, £
Up Figueroa WIG C, Vs, £

Midfielders

Player Club Factors
No Change Bale TOT A, VsX
No Change Dempsey FUL A, Vs, OoP
No Change Silva MCI B, Vs
No Change Sessegnon SUN A, £
Up McClean SUN A, £
No Change Valencia MUN A, VsX
Up Sigurdsson SWA B, VsX, £
No Change Mata CHE B
Up Taarabt QPR C, Vs
Up Sinclair SWA B, VsX, £
Up Moses WIG C, Vs, OoP, £
Down Ben Arfa NEW C, Vs, Rest, OoP
Down Walters STO C, Vs, OoP, £
Up Barton QPR C, Vs
No Change Ireland AVL C, Vs, Rest, £

Forwards

Player Club Factors
No Change van Persie ARS A
No Change Agüero MCI B, Vs
Up Ba NEW B, Vs
No Change Zamora QPR B, Vs
Up Dzeko MCI B, Vs, Rest
Up Bent AVL A, Vs
Up Yakubu BLA C, Vs
Up Cisse NEW B, Vs
No Change Rooney MUN B, VsX, Inj
No Change Sturridge CHE C
Down Fletcher WOL B, £
Up Graham SWA B, VsX, £

Selection Factors

A, B, C Current Form
Vs Favourable Fixtures
VsX Unfavourable Fixtures
Rest Rotation Risk
Inj Injured/Returning from Injury
OoP Out of Position
£ Potential Bargain
Sus Suspended/Near Suspension

Suspension Tightrope

Player Team YC
Lowe BLA 9
Terry CHE 8
Barton QPR 8
Cattermole SUN 8
Song ARS 7
N'Zonzi BLA 7
Meireles CHE 7
Fellaini EVE 7
Huth STO 7
Shawcross STO 7
Caldwell WIG 7
Henry WOL 7

“Robert hasn't touched him. The player tries to get him sent off. It's a disease that's creeping into the game.”

Tony Pulis laments the referee's decision to send off Robert Huth against Sunderland