Seasiders boss sets targets

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway knows his players will need to be in the shape of their lives if they want to avoid Premier League relegation next season.

The Seasiders won promotion in the play-off final next season and are preparing for their first ever season in the Premier League.



Holloway's side will start their campaign against Wigan Athletic in August and he will be hoping they do not follow in the footsteps of Burnley, their north-west rivals who were relegated at the first attempt last campaign. The 2010/11 Premier League relegation odds suggest the same fate could befall Blackpool.

The experienced manager has told the Sun that the best teams in the Premier League keep the ball, and he knows his players will need to be in prime physical shape if they are to keep chasing for 90 minutes and stay in games.



"To do that I want them fully fit and they are going to have to raise their fitness levels from what they were last season," Holloway said.

"They will have to eat better and we'll be going into their diet and looking at nutrition a lot more. They are working themselves over the summer to make sure they come back fit."

Holloway is also busy looking at new transfer targets to bring in and help his side fight against Premier League relegation next season, but he is unlikely to bring in any 2010 Football World Cup stars.

One man the manager is very interested in is Manchester United winger Tom Cleverley, who had a loan spell in the Championship with Watford last season.

He is unlikely to break into the United first team in their Premier League title battle next season and Sir Alex Ferguson is expected to allow him to leave on loan.