Source: Team_Talk
Dog-tired Oliie is a yappy chappy
A jubilant Ian Holloway will celebrate Blackpool's staggering start to Premier League life by getting introduced to a new family poodle.[LNB] While the Tangerine supporters prepared to celebrate a totally unexpected rise to the top of the table following their 4-0 defeat of Wigan with a party on the seaside, Holloway was preparing to drive back to the family home in Bath.[LNB]He hopes it is a short-term situation as, having been given assurances about his future by Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston, Holloway is preparing to resettle his family on the north-west coast.[LNB]"I am going to Bath to see my kids and my wife's new dog," he revealed. "A little poodle called Teddy.[LNB]"Hopefully we can come back up on Monday and find a semi-permanent home. I am going to try and move my family up here because I can't stand how far it is and I want to stay here a long time."[LNB]As he makes his way down the M6, Holloway will hear about the totally unexpected outcome at the DW Stadium.[LNB]A first-half opener from Gary Taylor-Fletcher was followed by two from new arrival Marlon Harewood that secured maximum points by the break.[LNB]Alex Baptiste's bizarre goal in the second period completed the rout, leaving Holloway to reflect on the sight of his team starring down at the rest of the league.[LNB]"I will take a photograph of the table and then retire," he said.[LNB]"It has been a horrible summer and I am quite worn out. This is quite a scary place to be."[LNB]A week that began with rumours of Holloway walking out of Bloomfield Road ended with a joyous return to the top flight, which Blackpool departed in 1971.[LNB]Harewood's contribution just about summed it up.[LNB]Released by Aston Villa at the end of last season, the 31-year-old was linked with a series of clubs but ended up at Blackpool after a short trial period.[LNB]"Little Blackpool asked him to come on trial and he wanted to play for us," said Holloway.[LNB]"Hopefully the chairman might help us out with a few more because reality tells me we need so many new players it is scary.[LNB]"Marlon has signed a two-year deal and is going to be pivotal for us.[LNB]"I need a big, powerful unit up front and when we go to the huge places with tradition, Marlon has been there, seen it and done it. That is vital for my young lads."[LNB]Not that it gets easier for Holloway and his team as a trip to Arsenal is looming.[LNB]Despite the result he just hopes "we don't get embarrassed".[LNB]That is exactly what happened to Wigan, whose performance was branded "unacceptable" by manager Roberto Martinez.[LNB]"I don't question myself," he said.[LNB]"We have to find solutions within the squad but it was quite clear we never had the simple ingredients you require when you go onto the football field."[LNB]There is also the Charles N'Zogbia issue to address.[LNB]Called into the France squad by Laurent Blanc last week, N'Zogbia is apparently set on a move away from the DW Stadium.[LNB]He did not merit a place amongst Martinez's 18-man squad on Saturday, with the Wigan boss claiming he was not in the right mental state to play.[LNB]"We have to resolve the situation internally," he said.[LNB]"The squad and the team are more important than any other individuals and it is too early to tell what will happen."[LNB]After being mauled by the team tipped to finish bottom, Wigan must now prepare for a meeting with the champions as Chelsea are next week's opponents.[LNB]Martinez insists he is not fearful of such a daunting game, although he did concede he needs some new players.[LNB]"We have not finished in the market because we are very light in numbers," he said.[LNB]"The demands of the Premier League are really high and we will work extremely hard to get our squad completed before September 1."
