More to come from Holloway - Burgess

24 May 2010 08:18

Blackpool striker Ben Burgess has warned the Barclays Premier League not to underestimate boss Ian Holloway.

The Seasiders clinched a place in the English top flight for the first time in 39 years on Saturday with a thrilling 3-2 Coca-Cola Championship play-off final win against Cardiff. Afterwards, much of the focus was trained on Holloway, who has earned a reputation as a joker during his managerial career. But Burgess insists there is far more to the 47-year-old than amusing one-liners.

"Every team that goes up finds it hard but we've got a manager who is very clever," said Burgess. "Everyone thinks he's just a madman and he can be at times, but I'm sure he'll know what to do in the Premier League."

He added: "The Premier League has not seen anything like him but I'm sure they'll enjoy it."

When Holloway arrived at Bloomfield Road last summer, the unfashionable Seasiders were being tipped for relegation to League One, a fate that Holloway suffered as Leicester boss in 2008.

Yet a year out of the game re-energised the Bristolian and Blackpool reaped the benefits in remarkable fashion at Wembley.

"I think he's used that year out of football very well and he's proved a lot of people wrong," added Burgess. "We're not massively different to last season in terms of personnel but the 4-3-3 formation he's played is the right way and he's brought in the right players.

"He's just a very clever guy. In our first meeting with him I thought 'wow'. He's got us so well-drilled and whoever starts the game knows where he should be in every minute of the match.

"The gaffer isn't stupid and he'll be planning for next season. We've got so much faith in him and you've got to have after what he has achieved this season.

"We were second favourites to go down at the start of this season but just look at us now."

Source: PA