Blackpool boss Ian Holloway insists he won’t tell his side to curb their attacking instincts as they aim to remain in the Premier League.
The Seasiders showed no fear as they made a fine start to their first Premier League season, sitting eighth at the turn of the year having continued to play the expansive brand of football that took them to an unexpected promotion last term.
The Tangerines have lost seven out of their nine league games since, though, slipping to just two points and two places above the drop zone.
On Tuesday night Pool host Tottenham, who have also entertained this season on their way to the UEFA Champions League knockout stages, but Holloway claims he will again urge his side to get on the front foot.
“I’ve said to the lads, it’s really important to remember what got us here in the first place, which was open, expansive football, and I’m not going to try to do anything different,” he told Sky Sports News.
Balance
“Yes, I’ve got to get the balance right between attacking and defending, but let’s have a go.
“Let’s have a go and see if their defence is as good as they are going forward, whoever and wherever that is. That’s what we’ve done all season.
“I’m going to pick a team I think will beat Tottenham Hotspur. Some people might think I’m mad to say that, but that’s what we’ll be going out attempting to do.”
Blackpool lost just one of their last nine games last season to make up a five-point deficit and gatecrash the play-offs, where they beat Cardiff at Wembley.
Pool now have 29 points with 12 games left and Holloway reckons they have more leeway this term, claiming something around the 40-point mark may be enough to beat the drop despite the table being so congested.
“This time last year we had hardly any margin of error at all,” he said.
“This year we can probably afford we lose two thirds of the games and win one third, and that will keep us up.
“Obviously it’s a higher standard but that’s how I’m looking at.”
