Holloway takes swipe at critics

Holloway's side have proved a surprise package so far this season

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway has hit back at critics who said his side would be the worst in Premier League history.

The Seasiders beat West Brom on Monday to reach the 13 point mark and pass Derby County's record lowest points haul for a Premier League season of 11.

"The lowest points ever, we aren't going to be that team so shut up the lot of you, whoever wrote it," said Holloway after beating the Baggies.

"That's what I feel like. It's unfair. They judged us far too early."

The victory over West Brom was Blackpool's first top-flight home win since 1971 and moved them up to ninth place in the Premier League.

The Seasiders took the lead through a Charlie Adam penalty after Pablo Ibanez was red-carded for a professional foul after 11 minutes.

Baggies defender Gonzalo Jara was also sent-off on 29 minutes and Luke Varney extended Blackpool's lead against their nine-man opponents, who grabbed a late consolation goal through Youssouf Mulumbu.

"I think we're a good bunch of lads, we're a good team," added Holloway.

"I think we've got to improve, I think we'll try to, but that's 13 points in 10 games. They might be the only 13 points we get but you said we were only going to get 10."

Holloway also dismissed reports this week that he would be content even if his side were relegated from the top flight this season.

"If people want to give my fans the message I'm happy going down, I didn't say that," insisted the Blackpool boss.

"I would never say that. Listen to what I say and don't switch it around. I would never be happy going down and I don't think we will.

"Everybody else does. When you weigh up the facts, we had to build a ground, smallest budget by a mile, probably the worst team ever to come up, probably going to get the least points ever.

"Just keep adding it up. Fantastic. It's all stacked against us, I don't have a problem with that.

"But when I say something, don't switch it. I don't like that. Maybe I won't say anything in the future. Is that what you want?"

Ibanez was dismissed after bundling DJ Campbell to the ground in the box for a penalty that Adam converted and Holloway and West Brom counterpart Roberto Di Matteo both questioned referee Michael Oliver's decision.

"He [Oliver] had to do it by the book and the book is wrong," said Holloway. "The game was dead then."

Di Matteo added: "The first incident was a penalty but, in my opinion, it was not a sending off as we had a player who was close enough.

606: DEBATE First red card was very iffy indeed but the second was a straight red for a nasty, horrible and unnecessary challenge BrazilSeasider

"It would have been nice to see a good football game but that was destroyed by the events on the night."

However, Di Matteo concurred with Oliver's decision to show a straight red to Jara for his lunging tackle on Varney near the corner flag.

"The second one, he got it right, the referee, it was a sending off," added Di Matteo. "Our player, he lost it a bit in the head with the first decision and he made a terrible tackle."

Di Matteo was pleased with his side's efforts, despite the defeat, and even with nine men they had enough chances to snatch an unlikely draw.

"It was a magnificent effort from our players but it was just difficult when you are two men down," he commented. "It's a big mountain to climb.

"The players handled themselves really well, it's a shame that we conceded the second goal because I fancied us to score.

"That's what we did at the end and we nearly got the equaliser as well."

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