“How wrong is the game?” A very short excerpt from the commentary by Blackpools' manager Ian Holloway on the recent Wayne Rooney transfer yarn. Some would call it a rant but I feel that word is belittling to this man.
Most if not all in football would be aware of Ian Holloway to some degree and a heck of a lot of people outside of the game who weren't certainly are now, for this is the biggest stage where he has been able to put across his views and thoughts.
I for one welcome his additions to the back page reporting of this sport, for behind the west country accent there lies an extremely intelligent football brain and an honesty that is as refreshing as an oasis in the desert.
Being an adoptive Bristolian (been here a decade now) I knew of Holloway from his time as manager of Bristol Rovers and always enjoyed what little I saw of him on the local evening news sports round-up. Always with a joke and a laugh you sensed that this man had the potential to move on to bigger and better things (sorry Gas-heads!).
He went on to have a popular five year spell as QPR's manager, following on from his five years as a player for the club ten years earlier. Over the following years that potential appeared to be loosing momentum, highlighted in his disastrous tenure as boss of Leicester City. Not many would have been able to predict what was to occur just a year or so later.
Blackpool in the Premiership.
Here finally was the stage for Holloway to showcase not only his excellent knowledge of the game but his immensely passionate views on all concerned within it. Not only this but a welcome ethos towards how teams should play football, especially commendable when exhibiting this with the smallest club in the top flight. Never setting his team out as a defensive unit even at Stamford Bridge or the Emirates as so many other of the newly promoted teams do, or even some of the more established Premiership clubs.
There is a touch of Arsene Wenger about him dare I say, the belief and style of play, intelligence and insight of the game.
What the Premiership has gained with his presence is a manager who is not afraid to speak out against those who run the game from upon high, Fifa and Uefa. Fans of all clubs must feel a warm connection with Holloway as he never shies away from the issues that not only trouble managers and players but also the supporters.
His recent outburst where he lambasted those at the top for not having the guts to address problems within the game got me punching the air with a delightful agreement. Sure, other managers have had their views expressed in many press gatherings but none do so with the burning anger of someone who wishes to be heard and counted.
It is a brave thing to be so vocally opposed to the emperors of Fifa and Uefa and I understand his ire at them as they never seem to listen to, or at the very least absorb and contemplate the grumblings and issues of those inside the game. Namely those men who prowl the touchlines gesticulating and barking like wild dogs. They are increasingly frustrated by decisions that go against them, knowing that with a little help from the football powers that be, the game would be a lot fairer for all, including the referees and their assistants.
What we don't want to see is a muted Ian Holloway and long may he continue to have his problems and opinions expressed. Perhaps one day he may find himself in an even higher position where he can be treated as a wise sage of the game whom must be adhered to.
The future is bright for Holloway and for the moment, orange. If he keeps Blackpool in the Premiership and is given the opportunity to learn, progress and grow as a manager within the top flight then I've no doubt he could become a pivotal figure in the empire of English football, and I'm sure there would be many who would welcome this. I know I certainly would.