Holloway hails Gilks recovery

Gilks: Career turnaround

Well done to Matt. I have not done anything apart from write his name on the teamsheet. He's done the rest himself.

Ian Holloway
Quotes of the week

SKY SPORTS ON SKY
There's more live football on Sky Sports than ever before, including the Barclays Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Clydesdale Bank Premier League, England away Euro 2012 qualifiers and La Liga. With four live Sky Sports channels, as well as Sky Sports News, you'll never miss a moment on Sky. Click here for more.

Related links

Teams

• Blackpool

Players

• Matthew Gilks

Also see

• Fantasy Football
• Experts
• Transfer Centre
• Sky Sports on Sky
• Radio

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway insists goalkeeper Matt Gilks should take full credit for turning his flailing career around.

Before Holloway's arrival at Bloomfield Road in May last year, Gilks was thinking of hanging up his boots to work in a factory or garage instead.

But a complete reversal in fortune has seen the shot-stopper enjoy promotion to the Premier League with the Tangerines, as well as earning a Scotland call-up for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Lithuania and Liechtenstein.

Gilks, who joined the Seasiders two years ago from Norwich, has paid tribute to Holloway for the turnaround, but the manager remains modest over the 28-year-old's rejuvenation.

"The crowd had got on to Matt a little bit and he lost his place," said Holloway.

"But I told him if you play well, you will keep the shirt. If you don't, someone else will play.

Self-esteem

"I just stuck to my word. Through feeling he had a chance, the boy regained his self-esteem.

"What I needed to teach him was that feeling belongs to him. No-one should take that away from you. Even if you've had the worst game ever, don't lose that.

"I can only use words. But I want his actions on the field to carry him through the rest of his life.

"Well done to Matt. I have not done anything apart from write his name on the teamsheet. He's done the rest himself."