Ian Holloway • Tactics, Blackpool 3 Cardiff City 2 • Masterclass

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After sneaking into the Championship playoffs by a single point, Ian Holloway took his popular Blackpool side all the way to the Premier League in the summer of 2010 by beating Cardiff City in the so-called “richest game in football”.
During an action-packed first half, it was Michael Chopra who opened the scoring for Cardiff, timing his run perfectly to get on the end of a ball from Peter Whittingham and drill his shot into the bottom corner. A Charlie Adam free-kick drew Blackpool level just four minutes later, but despite losing influential striker Jay Bothroyd to injury soon after, Cardiff looked to be heading into half-time ahead when Joe Ledley slotted past the advancing Matt Gilks. It wasn’t to be, though, as Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Brett Ormerod both found the back of the net to earn Holloway’s men a 3-2 half-time lead. On a searingly hot day at Wembley, both sides tired in the latter stages - and the Tangerines held on to seal their place in the top-flight for the first time since 1970.
Here, Holloway talks exclusively to The Coaches’ Voice about the tactics he employed on the day and why, despite twice going behind, he always believed it was a game they simply would not lose.
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#holloway #blackpool #championship

[@deepcut5098]

I’d never seen a better fit for a club in the past 20 years more-so than Holloway and Blackpool. They were made for each other!. I always admired Hollo’s tactics during that prem season. Play with no fear, knowing full-well they had the weakest defence in the prem so they played to their advantages of constant attacking that got them promoted in the first place!. Still pains me they got relegated in 10\11. They were so unlucky considering their points tally would have seen them survive in 09/10

[@HHHBFResurrected]

They were trailblazers in many ways. Teams coming up from the Championship overtime have gotten braver and braver, remained true to themselves & it all started with that Blackpool team. Holloway was a great character aswell, made for the modern day Premier League's cult of personality culture.

[@liamjones9115]

Guardiola with a nation state??

[@FactCheckingCuz]

I grew up in blackpool during the 90s, watching the club in an old wooden stand that was falling to pieces , 5000 there at best. NOBODY else in my school supported their hometown club, everyone in Liverpool and Man United shirts. What you and those players did to get everyone in the town proud to wear tangerine again for those few great years was special beyond football. It was something growing up I thought was impossible, you should be very proud and as long as we have a football club you will be a hero there. Thanks Ian.

[@youssefelsorady7316]

Good man that takes pride in what he does. Loved his enthusiasm and vivid recovery of events. This was 8 years ago remember😂

[@itsgettingdark1134]

13 now… 😭

[@finding_aether]

look at the pride he has for his players since the first moment he started talking.

[@eNyaaaw]

You can see his emotions when he talks about this. Hes proud of the work he does. Sounds like he loved this team, maybe a bit more than some of the others.

[@johnnybsteelriff]

I never thought for one minute, from the kick-off, we'd lose that match. Normally, in years gone by, there would be a sense of trepidation,we were renowned for being mercurail to say the least. I put all my trust in Ian,knew he was the man for us, a bit like Klopp is with Liverpool. Best football day of my life.

[@sjfootball1692]

As a Cardiff fan we always knew it was gonna be tough that day as we were both equally as good as each other before the final unfortunately it didn’t help that Bothroyd got injured as him and Chopra were lethal in their prime

[@danielmulhern6085]

Honey I felt the same at the palace Watford play off final. Ian is just a one of a kind manager and a play off goat.

[@TimohaZT]

so deep, so aware. Very intersting to listen. 8 years, but he still remembers every player of his team and the opponent team also

[@dendeko8706]

Ian holloways tangerine army!! What a guy! So much love for him! Jesus satisfied 5000 with 5 loaves and 2 fish.... Ian Holloway has satisfied millions with 11 tangarines!!!

[@conahs]

Millions? Blackpool don’t have any fans

[@dendeko8706]

@@conahs everybody loved blackpool in the prem...

[@AlfredTheBrave]

@@dendeko8706 true

[@martinironfoot2844]

Fascinating. As a Cardiff fan who was there that day I have to take my hat off to Ian for breaking down a very, very good Cardiff side ⚽️

[@loyndsy]

they should name a stand after him, he's a legend, thanks Olly

[@notsomalicious4435]

Hearing Ollie talk about football is fascinating. You can see why he coached at the top for so long. His tactics were simple, effective and entertaining at the same time.

[@slightunmake7188]

What a special team that Blackpool side was, with a great guy at the helm. Such a shame they couldn’t stay up but what a go they made of it 💯

[@clivegrant4225]

I was one of the tangerine army that day. Absolutely brilliant, thanks Olly, you'll always have a place in the hearts of Blackpool fans who remember what you did for us.

[@tomslater2881]

Always really enjoy these videos great stuff!

[@TheCoachesVoice]

Thank you 🙏

[@Anfubvinch]

This channel is AMAZING

[@TheCoachesVoice]

Thank you! 😍 Glad you're enjoying our content.

[@nobbytang]

Thanks Ian for that wonderful day at Wembley and the following season !!

[@stevenharrison3715]

The pleasure was all ours ollie . Thanks

[@mickharrison9004]

45,000 pool fans that day, like olly said in the sunshine the colours shone through.

[@jamesnorman1705]

One of the best teams I have seen tactically. Broke my heart as a forest fan

[@mickharrison9004]

Best match of my life as a pool fan, forest away win, 3,000 fans altogether and up for it, and a great Blackpool fc, thanks olly.

[@patrickgwilliam2913]

Thank you for the memories, Ian.

[@grahamisherwood6803]

One of the best days out in my life watching Blackpool at Wembley that day !!!!!

[@HeliosDroneWorks]

This is one of the greatest videos I’ve ever seen! I’m a long time coach at high level youth. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, his passion and love for the team and their work really comes through. Thanks for what you do

[@johndillon5767]

Hi Ian Long time no see!! Great Masterclass. Loved your talk at Shaw cricket club a most fantastic evening. Thanks for the ticket at the Man U secret door for the Pool game. Shame we lost but a great show and a great day. Sorry you left the Pool. Do you remember the Shaw night ? Big Neil (sadly recently passed away) lifelong Liverpool and at our photograph you said “wish we could play you every week cos YOU did the double on Lpool that season. That night remains one of my most memorable nights out EVER! Cheers Ian.

[@phillipemery572]

Man I miss Ollie. Added so much character and energy.

[@johnnybsteelriff]

He will be back...I feel it in my bones....we don't need multi million pound players, we need Holloway's brain....pure entertainment....that is how football should be...

[@oliverforway3868]

U need to do more of these

[@jamievince6413]

Great manager and fantastic laugh

[@kevindavenport464]

Best Blackpool manager ever & the best day out ever to Wembley utmp. 😊

[@cameronpocock2268]

Do a Neil Warnock video

[@lewisjm8776]

Legend

[@SuperPhonograph]

He needs to come back.

[@mickharrison9004]

Good luck at grimsby olly, you legend at bloomfield Road.

[@keithrobinson9077]

He was utterly useless, and did a runner, just like he has done at other clubs

[@mickharrison9004]

@@keithrobinson9077 oh rite getting Blackpool fc to prem league rates him as useless, go easy on the drugs eh.

[@cemkarabulut2717]

Can u make video with Sean Dyche ??

[@SeniorBurger]

Cem Karabulut He is a fraud, mark my word and one day you’ll see.

[@jonnymbuna]

God no the ginger mess

[@tenhagsredarmy3419]

Check out a rugby channel and have a look at their tactics and you'll where Sean Dyche gets his coaching tactics from.

[@WOOOPdoctorFROGhere]

Shows how little investment he was given for his premier league season as the lineup he reads out in this video is pretty much the same team as he had in the premier league

[@decmcgovern9281]

Class Ollie!!!!

[@futbolsecrets]

Where can we get a tactic board like yours? I really would appreciate your answer. Thanks in advance

[@TheCoachesVoice]

We had it made but keep an eye out and if there’s enough demand we’ll look into getting some more and offering them as prizes or for sale.

[@HeliosDroneWorks]

I’d buy one! I’ll be an affiliate and market them quickly. You would have a lot of fans for sure. Thanks for what you do

[@garethevans3566]

Broke my heart that day...but I guess better team won..Cardiff Loyal 46yrs...

[@tonylee7120]

OMGGGG Mandarin

[@william_marshal]

I was at that match and it was definite a game of two half's. Ian was wrong with Bothroyd because he only played 10 minutes and then had to go off injured. We (Bluburds scored two cracking goals), which Blackpool countered twice the first being an outstanding free kick from Charlie Adam. The other two Blackpool goals were both flukes, especially the second one which came right on half time, really poor defending by us. Five goals in the first half and a cracking game, we thought we were well in the game at half time. In the second half Blackpool played to contain and did a good job of that. The match turned into a dour slog and apart from Chopra hitting the bar we didn't create much and so Blackpool squeezed home thanks to their dogged second half performance. Probably over the 90 minutes you'd have to say that Blackpool just about deserved to win it. !!!

[@2002RM]

I love Holloway. Doesn't get the credit.

[@count69]

Essentially the same basic strategy as Klopp's Liverpool. 4-3-3 using defenders on the wings to outnumber and overlap the opponent, and using strikers as wingers.

[@noodles169]

Still can't bring myself to watch a replay of this match, totally gutted that day, probably my worst game supporting the bluebirds

[@nobbytang]

GateCrasher ...sorry mate but we were red hot that day and anyways the year after you pissed it !!

[@0121zero]

Great game tho! Chopra hitting the bar at the end too.

[@loyndsy]

Respect for Cardiff that day well deserved going up hang in there guys from the seasiders

[@niallersssss2496]

Why wouldn’t you put Blackpool in the orange??

[@ollie7208]

Tangerine pal

[@first-namesurname5009]

Cuz of vegans

[@rikmukherji]

When people ask why THAT English team couldn't do it , I always point the switches out. The world had already moved onto five man midfield systems while England kept insisting on the 4 man midfield. No matter how good your midfield 4 is , if the opposition 5 can switch play well, you're not going to succeed.

[@SuperPhonograph]

🧡🍊🧡🍊

[@neilbatterbee9122]

Wasn’t this the same day inter Milan won champs league ? If so had Blackpool and inter Milan on a double lovely 💷💷💷👍👍👍⚽️⚽️⚽️

[@BigSmokeMUFC]

This guy is the main reason why Crystal Palace are still in the PL.

[@jackramsay2267]

How do you work that one out ? He got sacked by us and Tony pulis kept us up

[@jackramsay2267]

Don’t talk about something you don’t know

[@BigSmokeMUFC]

@@jackramsay2267 mate don’t lie, before him u lot were Championship strugglers at best. A survival team. He came in and got youse promoted.

[@jackramsay2267]

@@BigSmokeMUFC yeah he’s not the reason we are still in the premier league. He got us up he wouldn’t have kept us up

[@rohithraman6488]

Everybody had a softspot for Blackpool in the 10-11 season

[@shaneyboy6278]

There were no murders sargent angel

[@3coldcapricorn227]

Shaney Boy mornin Angle

[@lisandroventura5903]

Pleaseeee castellanooooo!!!!!!

[@count69]

Definitely Gareth Keenan's dad!

[@soihollywood850]

Tangerine Ollie, not orange

[@joo5813]

Please come back to the Pool now the Oyscum have gone

[@cameronpocock2268]

Or a Malky Mackay vs Man City

[@milesm1234]

I watched him destroy millwall from a mid table team to relegated in 9 months. Absolute charlatan who could never name the same team twice.

[@FlixxHD]

Blackpool have just gone down. We will be back with the power of Ian.

[@mrsnow1013]

Really interesting to hear Holloways thoughts. The one key thing he makes no reference to is the fact that Bothroyd went off injured quite early in the first half. Bothroyd was arguably our best player at the time. With his withdrawal, our attacking threat was near enough extinguished. Etuhu wasnt capable of holding the ball up and bringing Chopra into play - it wasnt his game. We posed next to no threat during that second half. Blackpools vistory was more about Bothroyds injury than their own brilliance. I'm convinced Cardiff would have won had he lasted the 90.

[@BJBTProductions]

mrsnow101 I remember watching this , being a Portsmouth fan , and Blackpool were the better side throughout the game

[@mrsnow1013]

Blackpool were the better team from 15 minutes onwards (when Bothroyd went off injured). I'm not disputing them being the better side - they were. Had a fit Bothroyd played the 90 mins, we would have won comfortably.

[@sjfootball1692]

The other issue was that DJ should’ve at least put McCormack on due to his attacking threat

[@eddierxx124]

0:18 TANGERINE IAN. You should know better

[@Cold-Spirit]

no need for a long vid, can summarise very quick- score more goals than them. fuck the defence just score

[@Tom_3566]

he only beat cardiff calm down

[@sjfootball1692]

Cardiff at that time were a top team with a strong squad in every area and probably would’ve stayed up had they beaten Blackpool

[@bencb3]

Very basic tactics

[@B0BBYFL4SH]

bencb3 Football’s Is a simple game, you’ve got to work with what you’ve got & that Blackpool team was brilliant, outplayed a Forest team who were top at Christmas and went 19 games unbeaten during the season!

[@seanm3303]

They were basic but everyone understood their individual role and they had to perfect them in every single game for the system to work, it was very much a mentality thing, a fearlessness to attack at all costs, to win back possession immediately after. The players complimented each other perfectly especially the midfield 3. It was 1 million unlikely things all coming together to create the perfect storm. When we went on the unbeaten run there was a genuine belief throughout everyone in the club that we would outscore any side on any given day.

[@FanofAslan]

I miss Ollie at QPR. Great passion, a bit of nous, a good guy with a witty turn of phrase. No airs and graces, heart on his sleeve. I knew, win or lose, his team would give their all.

[@user-cm9sf7vs5h]

Beat Liverpool with what you call basic 😂

[@alexsaynor6717]

Not really basic. If you can successfully encapsulate in one sentence everything he said in that video, then maybe your comment can be considered accurate.

[@carlkinvig6047]

One trick pony that was too easily sussed out the second half of their season in the Prem the results were so increasingly bad it relegated them as this "genius" failed to adapt. Pep Guardiola he aint.

[@jamesclacher4874]

Can tell you live a sad life