Source: Team_Talk
Holloway: I can pick who I like
Ian Holloway again defended his right to select whatever side he likes following a 0-0 draw at West Ham - a match in which he made 11 changes.[LNB] Holloway had threatened to quit if fined for making 10 alterations for the midweek defeat at Aston Villa, and had recalled his main men against the Premier League's bottom club.[LNB]The Tangerines came within minutes of snatching a point at Villa Park, and could easily have left Upton Park with another crucial away victory, as substitute Marlon Harewood saw a late effort chalked off for what looked a marginal offside flag and also missed an open goal.[LNB]Holloway said: "I have found a bit of pressure this week by apparently picking some people I was not supposed to pick.[LNB]"The new rules should let me pick whoever I like, particularly when I have spent a lot of money on them.[LNB]"We have got a lot more in our team than just Charlie Adam.[LNB]"We have got a lot of good players and so hopefully I can pick them when I like."[LNB]Holloway, though, issued a public apology after suggesting Wolves boss Mick McCarthy did not feel his side could beat Manchester United last season.[LNB]Wolves were given a suspended £25,000 fine when McCarthy made similar changes for a game at Old Trafford last season, but Holloway said the two situations were different because McCarthy had admitted "playing a lesser XI" as he felt his side could not win.[LNB]On Friday McCarthy revealed Holloway had spoken to him personally about the situation, and on Saturday afternoon the Blackpool manager stated: "I would like to apologise to Mick McCarthy. I never knew exactly what Mick had actually said.[LNB]"He would never say he would go somewhere and lose, quite rightly.[LNB]"He is a decent manager and if I ever do half as much as Mick has done in the game, I would be absolutely delighted, and to keep my dignity like he does.[LNB]"I just lost the plot the other evening."[LNB]Holloway maintained he had gone for victory in each of the last two matches, regardless of team selection.[LNB]"Did I come here and try to get a point? No. I thought it was the best 0-0 draw I have ever seen in my entire life," he said.[LNB]"Any team you pick you are putting your heart in your mouth anyway, because at this level it can be beaten, and beaten heavily.[LNB]"What you have got to try to do is believe in your convictions and plan what you are doing.[LNB]"I have got some good players. Just because you don't know them and you have not seen them, don't judge.[LNB]"How dare you? Make sense, they have played fantastic football. Man United only managed to get 2-2 at Villa and we almost did as well.[LNB]"I did not think my better team might beat West Ham, I don't do those things."[LNB]Holloway has certainly brought a bit of colour to the top flight, but the Tangerines boss insists now is the time to be serious.[LNB]He said: "I have made some mistakes in the past and I don't want to make too many now, because I love my job and don't want to leave it.[LNB]"I should shut my face and stop threatening to do all sorts of things, because I get emotional when I lost 3-2 and didn't think my team should have. I am going to duck under the radar and just get on with my job."[LNB]West Ham manager Avram Grant felt his side had done enough to secure a first league win since the end of September.[LNB]They had two strong penalty claims turned down by referee Kevin Friend in the first half when winger Pablo Barrera[LNB]was tripped by Stephen Crainey and then Victor Obinna's shot hit Craig Cathcart on the arm.[LNB]Grant again faced calls for his resignation after the final whistle but said: "The supporters saw the effort everyone has given. Some were disappointed from the game of course, because the result is not good.[LNB]"There were enough chances to win three games and enough penalties to win two games. We did everything right. I cant say a bad word abut the players, they pressed well, moved, passed and created a lot of chances."[LNB]Grant added: "I don't want to speak about referees that everyone saw on television. What happened this season is a disgrace. Every game the decisions (go) against us.[LNB]"There were two clear penalties. One with the hand, he saved it better than the goalkeeper. Our players also are too honest. Pablo tried to stay on his feet."[LNB]West Ham head to Liverpool next weekend and Grant added: "We need to continue like this.[LNB]"If we were bottom, did not play good football, without a good spirit, I could say maybe we need to change something.[LNB]"I hope the players will continue to play like this because I think we will score from less chances than today."[LNB]
