Old Master hails swot Ollie

Old master Sir Alex Ferguson believes Blackpool boss Ian Holloway is getting his rewards from good homework.

The Seasiders were tipped by many as favourites for the drop after coming into the Premier League via the Championship play-offs.

But Holloway’s side have confounded their critics by taking 19 points from their first 15 games to sit in 11th place in the league.

Ferguson, whose Manchester United side were due to play the Seasiders on Saturday before a frozen pitch caused a postponement, hailed the attacking ethos of Holloway’s team.

The canny Scot also believes Holloway has done his homework really well as regards potential new signings and is getting his full rewards from it.
Unbelievable

Ferguson said: “What is happening at Blackpool is unbelievable.

“They could have been five up (in the 2-2 draw at Bolton last time) before Bolton had a shot on goal.

“They are attacking every team, they are having a go and are scoring goals. What more can you say about them.

“Ian Holloway has done a fantastic job. He brought Charlie Adam down from Glasgow when nobody seemed to want him. He is one of the best players in the league. He is having a fantastic season.

“Ian took Craig Cathcart from us. He is a terrific lad and a good player. He also got him for a song. Ian has done his homework very well and is getting his rewards for it.

“He has taken a chance on players and they are rewarding him for giving them an opportunity to play in the Premier League.”

Defended poorly

United lost their unbeaten start to the season when going down 4-0 to West Ham in the Carling Cup on Tuesday.

The experienced Scot believes his team defended poorly and the young players in the side will come on for the experience.

Ferguson said: “A few years from now these players will go down there and win that kind of game. That is what experience gives you. It was not a 4-0 scoreline.

“We had the most possession, we had the most entries into the penalty box. They had six strikes at goal and scored four. We defended poorly. You cannot afford that in a cup tie.

“The only positive out of it was that Ryan (Giggs) and Darren (Fletcher) got a game. The only one who came up to standard was Anderson.”