Holloway: We belong amongst elite

07 November 2010 08:57
lackpool manager Ian Holloway believes his team are now playing as if they belong in the Premier League following their 2-2 draw with Everton.[LNB] The hosts twice led in a thrilling contest after goals from Welsh pair Neal Eardley and David Vaughan, and thought they had snatched a late winner when Marlon Harewood struck, only to be flagged offside.[LNB]Holloway said: "In general the biggest bugbear I have got is we didn't hold onto the lead long enough, but it is coming.[LNB]"I think the boys are playing so well. If we can keep doing that I think results will come our way.[LNB]"We are looking like a Barclays Premier League team. I thought we were terrific.[LNB]"I was pretty excited about the way we played and we haven't played as well as we have done.[LNB]"We're at the top level and we're starting to look as good as some of the sides we are playing.[LNB]"We need to keep going, but considering what some of our boys are getting paid, it's absolutely remarkable."[LNB]Blackpool now have 14 from points from 11 games and Holloway thought they had two more when substitute Harewood struck in the last minute.[LNB]"I didn't hear the whistle and was celebrating what I thought was us scoring the winner," he said. "I danced down the steps, I didn't hear the whistle."[LNB]Holloway, however, having recently been fined for criticising a referee, refused to comment on the decision itself.[LNB]He said: "I'll have to watch it again, I haven't seen it. It is what he has given because he is the man in charge. I've learnt that, let's get on with it.[LNB]"But I was very pleased with Marlon's finish."[LNB]Everton responded quickly to both Blackpool goals.[LNB]Eardley's brilliant 10th-minute free-kick was cancelled out by Tim Cahill's 50th Premier League goal, while former Blackpool loanee Seamus Coleman immediately replied after Vaughan's 48th-minute effort.[LNB]Irish winger Coleman is emerging as one of the Premier League's brightest young stars and Holloway remembers him with fondness after his spell at Bloomfield Road last season.[LNB]Holloway added: "I've just told him he should have put it wide![LNB]"He's a lovely gentleman and it shows what he feels for us. He's professional, he scored a goal, but he didn't celebrate.[LNB]"But it's his first Premier League goal and he deserves to celebrate."[LNB]Everton also had several chances to settle the match and manager David Moyes felt his side should have taken more than a point.[LNB]The Scot said: "For me it is a big two points dropped. We had enough chances, but you have to credit Blackpool. They dug in and made it hard in the last 10 minutes.[LNB]"I thought we had numerous opportunities in the first half to create goals and I thought we created some clear chances in the second half and didn't take them.[LNB]"We should have seen it off and got all three points. I would have gambled for three (points) today rather than one.[LNB]"But when we gambled, Blackpool did as well. It became end to end."

Source: Team_Talk