I'll see off my best pal Tony Pulis this time, promises Blackpool boss Ian Holloway

30 April 2011 00:59
Ian Holloway has suffered relegation at the hands of Tony Pulis before, but the Blackpool boss is confident their friendship will not be jeopardised again. [LNB]Holloway is godfather to Stoke boss Pulis's son Anthony, whom he used to babysit. Anthony, now 26, is currently a midfielder with Barnet. [LNB]The relationship between the managers dates back three decades but was seriously tested three years ago. [LNB] Best of friends: Ian Holloway is godfather to Tony Pulis' son[LNB]A goalless draw at the Britannia Stadium on the final day of the 2007-08 season resulted in Stoke winning promotion to the Barclays Premier League and Holloway's Leicester being relegated to League One. [LNB]Now the pair find themselves in a not too dissimilar situation on Saturday as Blackpool, level on points with third-from-bottom Wigan, entertain Stoke at Bloomfield Road. [LNB]'I've known Tony and Debbie for years,' said Holloway. 'Our friendship goes back to our Bristol Rovers days and I used to babysit Anthony. [LNB] Candidate: Tony Pulis could win LMA manager of the year[LNB]'It was one of the worst moments of my career when Stoke beat Leicester. But I remember Tony was fantastic after the game.' [LNB]Blackpool's situation is becoming desperate after seven matches without a win. But Holloway is confident his side can dig themselves out of trouble by beating Stoke, even if it threatens his mate's chances of winning the manager of the year award. [LNB]'If Sir Alex wins the title and Champions League he might get manager of the year again,' he said. 'But if Tony wins the FA Cup who's to say he won't win it? But the way we played against Newcastle last week gives me belief we will be fine come May 22.'[LNB] Sunderland on alert as Everton eye move for Blackpool ace Vaughan Tom Jones and Noel Gallagher could go head-to-head in Final song battleAll the latest Stoke news, features and opinionAll the latest Blackpool news, features and opinion[LNB]  Explore more:People: Tony Pulis, Ian Holloway Places: Newcastle

Source: Daily_Mail