Ian Holloway is standing by his decision to make changes to his side - but does not believe he will have to resign.
Blackpool boss has no regrets about changes at Villa
Blackpool boss Ian Holloway is standing by his decision to make ten changes at Aston Villa - but does not believe he will have to resign.
Holloway has come under investigation from the Premier League for making so many alterations for the midweek clash at Villa Park, where the Seasiders lost 3-2 to James Collins' late winner.
The Premier League set a precedent by slapping Wolves with a suspended £25,000 fine for making wholesale changes against Manchester United last term but Holloway has threatened to resign if they are subject to a punishment.
Holloway then suggested the two circumstances could not be compared because, he alleged, Wolves boss Mick McCarthy openly accepted that he had not fielded a full-strength side because he did not believe he could defeat the Red Devils.
The Blackpool boss subsequently apologised for making this statement and - writing in the
Independent on Sunday - he has again said sorry to McCarthy.
But Holloway has stuck by his guns about changing his side at Villa, with him then making 11 changes for Saturday's 0-0 draw at West Ham.
Relief
He said: "It's a relief to get the week over with because it has been a real tough one, both on and off the pitch. We got two points out of nine, but produced three terrific performances and, for me, that is what makes all the fuss about the number of changes I made in midweek so astounding.
"We have a good squad and that's why I've played the teams I have - all 25 players are as good as each other. The lads now know that the gloves are off. I have done what I said I would do and given everyone a chance in these last two matches.
"Every member of my squad is on a level playing field and anybody who makes a mistake will be out because I know someone else will be able to step in and replace them.
"What I do need to do is apologise to Mick McCarthy. He rang me up incensed on Friday. I didn't mean to talk about Wolves but because I had made 10 changes at Aston Villa, I found myself having to answer questions about the 10 changes Wolves made in a match at Old Trafford last year.
"My words were twisted and I have to say to Mick: "I'm sorry, I don't believe anyone would go into a match not trying to win it." I'm so proud of what Mick has achieved at Wolves. He is a smashing fella and has done an unbelievable job. I'll get to apologise personally to him next weekend - we play Wolves at Bloomfield Road.
"Hand on heart, not for one minute did I think making 10 changes for our game with Aston Villa would cause such uproar. I thought my team would be judged on how well or badly they played. I'm used to that. What I'm not used to is being told the Premier League can tell me what I'm not allowed to do and then fine us, when all I am trying to do is the best job I can for my football club.
End matter
"I don't think the Premier League are involved in any of what has happened since the match. Yes, they are writing a letter to ask why I did it and I will explain every step of the way. When I do that, I'm sure it will be the end of the matter.
"What has riled me is what I consider to be lazy journalism. The line of questioning I was hit with after the game left me gobsmacked. I was looking forward to a positive chat about how well we'd done at Villa but all I got was this rubbish about how we would be fined. I could not understand why someone would even dream of fining us when we've come into the top League of English football and are doing so well.
"Some of my biggest summer signings played at Villa, as well as Marlon Harewood - my top scorer and hardly a reserve player. If there was a match between the XI that played at Villa and my normal XI, I couldn't tell you who would win.
"I said after the game that I'd consider resigning if we were fined by the Premier League and I stick by that. But I'm convinced that won't happen.
"The whole episode has been blown out of all proportion and I find it surreal. All I can say is judge my team on how they played, and anyone who saw the game will know we were fantastic. Weakened team? I've never been so insulted in my life."
