Blackpool's Holloway: Premier League want us relegated

Ian Holloway, Blackpool's manager, has taken the Football Association to task for comments they have made about fining Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United should he not field a strong team or lose to Blackpool.

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Ian Holloway, the Blackpool manager, has claimed the Premier League would be glad to see the back of his team if they lose their fight for survival at Manchester United on Sunday.

Holloway is furious at claims United could get fined if Sir Alex Ferguson fields an understrength team and Blackpool secure top-flight survival by becoming the first team this season to win at Old Trafford.

Not only does Holloway feel it undermines his team, he is also indignant at the suggestion Ferguson is not bothered about finishing the Premier League season on a high note.

And he is coming to the view that the game's authorities do not want him around.

"They will be relieved if we lose and get relegated," Holloway said. "Then I am not badgering them. I am so annoyed. Sir Alex Ferguson is a winner. He would never dream of not being interested in winning any match.

"That man deserves to pick whatever team he wants to pick. No one should question it.

"Look at his record. Those people running the game, what planet are they on? They must have beamed down from planet Zarf. They are not in the right world. They think we can only beat Manchester United if they are weak. What a load of baloney.

"Already, they are saying Blackpool can't beat them. I am glad I don't go to work thinking that, otherwise I would never have got promoted last year. I would have been relegated from the Championship because that is what everyone said was going to happen.

"That attitude offends me. It upsets me on a personal note about my club and definitely on a Manchester United note. How dare they talk about Sir Alex like that? Haven't they seen his hairdryer? Haven't they seen how successful he is?

"On Sunday, we have to try to do the impossible. It's got to be perfect. No one else has beaten them. And if we do, they might get fined because we're rubbish."