Seasiders within sight of top flight

12 May 2010 08:58

Ian Holloway admits it is "unbelievable" to think his Blackpool side are just 90 minutes away from the Barclays Premier League.

Blackpool beat Nottingham Forest 4-3 at the City Ground on Tuesday night to reach the Coca-Cola Championship play-off final.

Blackpool manager Holloway said: "We are still learning and still evolving but we have achieved something mega."

He added: "We are within 90 minutes of playing in the Premier League and that is unbelievable.

"I am very proud. We knew it would be tough and I didn't know if we would have the answers to the questions they asked.

"I said it would have to be the best we have ever played if we were to do it, and I think it was the best we have ever played."

Forest boss Billy Davies felt the occasion got to his young players and that the play-offs came at the wrong time for his team. He said: "In big games you have to be confident enough to get on the ball and show composure and bravery and an arrogance second to none, but we didn't do that tonight.

"Credit to Blackpool, they handled it better than we did. We had too many players freeze on the night.

"These young players froze on the night. Young players that have been outstanding all season and who did great to finish third, it was just too much.

"It would have been the youngest team to ever get to the Premier League - that would have been an achievement."

Source: PA