The Tangerines, play-off winners at Wembley in May, marked their arrival in the top flight with a stunning 4-0 victory at Wigan on the opening day. However, the Premier League newboys were handed a harsh reality check by Arsene Wenger's men, who knocked them for six at Emirates Stadium, where defender Ian Evatt had been sent off when conceding a first-half penalty.
"I am not a person who likes losing, but I have to stay calm to help my lads because I believe in what we are trying to do," Holloway said.
"Are we going to be good enough? I honestly don't know - but I need to stay calm and try to play some modern-day football, like Arsenal. "However, I also need some big, strong horrible lumps who can do other things, because I might have to throw it into the box every now and again. Whatever I have got to do, I will do it."
Source: PA