Pool begin survival plan

Holloway: Implementing new schedule

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Blackpool boss Ian Holloway has revealed his players have been handed what he hopes will be a survival master-plan.

The Seasiders have made a positive start to their maiden Premier League campaign, taking four points from their opening three games.

Holloway is keen to maintain the feel-good factor from last season's unlikely promotion and the next few weeks could be crucial to Blackpool's hopes of maintaining their top-flight status.

Holloway and his backroom team have therefore left no stone unturned in a bid to get a head-start over their rivals in the race for survival.

"We have just given the players a two-month schedule," he said. "My staff have produced it.

"They will know what day they are off and what day they are in. They know it will be morning and afternoon. The defenders will be doing certain things as will the midfielders and forwards.

Comprehensive document

"This is the most comprehensive document that I have ever produced in my career and I am looking forward to implementing it.

"We want to leave a mark on this world, so that people remember how well our team played and how well the supporters behaved.

"The secret of this club is that the fans are embracing what we are trying to do. They are in their element.

"It is quite unbelievable. We want this great feeling to continue."

Blackpool travel to Newcastle on Saturday with last season's visit still fresh in the mind - the Tangerines lost 4-1 there in April as the Magpies romped to the Championship title.

Holloway has since made 11 signings over the summer and the newcomers already seem to have adapted to the attractive football that has captured the imagination of the Blackpool fans.

"It is nice to have a settled squad," he said. "Now it is a case of trying to bed them in.

"We got thrashed at Newcastle last season and I was a bit embarrassed by it all.

Encouragement

"However, even in the bad times I will carry on trying to encourage my players to keep playing the type of football I want.

"My job is to try to find people with the right character, who still have something to prove in the game."

DJ Campbell played in that 4-1 defeat last season while on loan from Leicester and the 29-year-old made a permanent move on deadline day after scoring 11 games in 18 games for Blackpool last season.

"We would not be where we are today without his contribution last season," Holloway added.

"We have some hard work to do to convince people that the boy will score at every level he plays in. But I am delighted to be working with him again."