Post by QPR Report on Oct 23, 2009 11:28:00 GMT
This is South Wales
Boss inspired by Martinez
IAN Holloway has revealed how Blackpool's excellent start to the Championship season has been part-inspired by Roberto Martinez's Swansea City.
Holloway has led unfancied Blackpool to fifth place in the Championship — and to within two points of the leaders — after victories over the likes of Newcastle and Sheffield United.
And the former Queens Park Rangers boss has admitted Martinez's Swansea are the side he is trying to emulate.
Holloway, a great friend of Kenny Jackett following their time together at Loftus Road, spent last season as a football pundit after flopping at Leicester City.
And he said: "Swansea inspired me last year with Martinez.
"I thought it was fantastic how they played football. I watched a lot of them because I was out of football for a year.
"I did my radio work once a week and afterwards I went home and made a few notes and thought if I ever got the opportunity to get back into football I'd use them.
"Blackpool gave me that opportunity, I've tried to implement my ideas and I am loving it."
Adopted
Holloway has adopted the Martinez approach at Blackpool, playing one central striker supported by two advanced wide players.
The system has brought great success at Bloomfield Road — Blackpool have the best home record in the division — but they have only won once on their travels and were thumped by Crystal Palace on their last away day.
As a result Holloway has hinted that he may tweak his style tomorrow against a Swansea side he expects to shape up as they did last season.
"On the reports I've seen they played really well to beat West Brom," he added.
"In the reports they are playing the same way, 4-3-3, and obviously I think that's a large reason why Paulo (Sousa) got the job because he has the same mentality as Roberto Martinez.
"They are both used to playing different type of football from what we play in England."
gareth vincent www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/sport/Boss-inspired-Martinez/article-1445065-detail/article.html
