Holloway impressed by Potters' progress

10 December 2010 14:00
Ian Holloway has lauded Tony Pulis for his "phenomenal" work at Stoke - but believes it is important he continues developing his own recipe for success in the Barclays Premier League with Blackpool. The Seasiders travel to Staffordshire to face a Potters side who have gone from strength to strength under Pulis. With the Welshman at the helm, Stoke won promotion to the top flight in 2008 and have since notched impressive 12th and 11th-placed finishes. They currently lie 10th having drawn 2-2 on Saturday at Wigan, a match watched by Holloway, who believes Pulis - his former team-mate at Bristol Rovers - has fashioned an outfit who play better football than they are given credit for. "It will be a massive challenge - I watched them against Wigan last weekend and I thought they were terrific," Holloway said. "Never has a team had not enough written about them (as Stoke). Everyone talks about one thing and their fans have got some great songs about `We only score from a throw-in' and all that sort of stuff. "But he has gradually stepped the level of their players up to a fantastic level and it will be an honour to take my team there and try to take them on. I know how tough it is going to be - they have some brilliant players."

Source: PA