Holloway had threatened to quit if fined for making 10 alterations for the midweek defeat at Aston Villa, and had recalled his main men against the Barclays Premier League bottom club.
The Tangerines had come within minutes of snatching a point at Villa Park, and could easily have left Upton Park with another crucial away victory, as substitute Marlon Harewood saw a late effort chalked off for what looked a marginal offside flag and also missed an open goal.
Holloway said: "I have found a bit of pressure this week by apparently picking some people I was not supposed to pick.
"The new rules should let me pick whoever I like, particularly when I have spent a lot of money on them. We have got a lot more in our team than just Charlie Adam. We have got a lot of good players and so hopefully I can pick them when I like."
Source: PA
