Holloway bracing for player exodus

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has admitted he is powerless to stop star players leaving if the club is relegated this season.

A host of Blackpool players have been linked with moves away from Bloomfield Road and Holloway knows he could lose the likes of forwards Charlie Adam and Gary Taylor-Fletcher if the Seasiders fail to stay in the Premier League.

Blackpool have just four games left to drag themselves out of the relegation zone, starting with Saturday’s clash with Stoke City.

Holloway said: “I’ve had a look at who is out of contract, who has an option and who definitely won’t be here. Unless we stay up or improve what we’ve offered them, we may lose some of them.”

“I’m chilled about it but I’ve had a look around and done some research. If we get extra cash for staying up, it may change the dynamics.”

Stoke have been buoyed by reaching their first ever FA Cup Final and all their players will be pushing for a Wembley starting place.

But Holloway pointed to December’s 1-0 win at the Britannia Stadium as just one of many reasons to be optimistic ahead of Saturday’s game.

“We’ve already beaten Stoke away, beaten Tottenham here and drawn with Bolton away and we’ve only lost 3-2 to Manchester United at home,” Holloway said.

“United had to overcome a two-goal deficit here and unfortunately that is something they were able to do.”

“I am not scared of any of them and I am looking forward to them. Do I think we can get enough points to stay up? Of course I do.”

“How lucky am I? I go to work and do something I love to do. I get to play ‘Football Manager’ for real instead of at home on my computer talking to my mates. I do it for real so that is absolutely fantastic.”

Blackpool are definitely without defenders Chris Basham (broken leg) and David Carney (shoulder) for the Stoke clash.