Ian Holloway:end of the world

Posted Saturday, May 21, 2011 by Dailystar.co.uk

Ian Holloway:end of the world
ABOVE: Ian Holloway admits it will feel like the entire world has collapsed if Blackpool are relegated tomo

IAN HOLLOWAY admits it will feel like the entire world has collapsed if Blackpool are relegated tomorrow.

Survival Sunday, the most nailbiting relegation battle in years, kicks off at 4pm with five teams battling to avoid joining West Ham in the Championship next season.

Any two out of Blackburn, Wolves, Birmingham, Blackpool and Wigan, could still fall out of the richest league in the world come the fi nal whistle – costing them at least £40m.

Holloway’s men face the toughest task of all, needing a win at champions Manchester United to stand any chance at all.

United have not lost at Old Trafford all season, dropping only two points at home, but Hollway admitted: “It will be the end of the world. It will definitely feel like that.

“You can’t be a football manager or a player or have anything to do with a club and be happy if you go down.”

Holloway will today take his troops on a tour of the 76,000-capacity Theatre of Dreams, where their future will be decided.

Earlier this week Holloway claimed Premier League officials wanted to see Blackpool relegated.

But Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said yesterday: “They’ve been a breath of fresh air. They’ve come up on merit and played positively, therefore they deserve it.

“If on Sunday they still deserve that place they’re welcome to stay.”

Wolves host fellow strugglers Blackburn knowing both, one or neither side could survive.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy will keep his players up-to-date from the dug-out with the scores that matter from around the country.

“Am I enjoying it? I am enjoying it all,” said McCarthy. What is the alternative – go and play golf?

“It’s plain and simple – if we win there’s nothing anyone can do about it. We’re at home and it’s in our own hands.”

Rovers boss Steve Kean said: “It is not stressful – there is an edge of excitement. There is a lot riding on this but I’m confident.”

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish chalks up his 100th Premier match at Spurs – and hopes it won’t be his last.

He said: “There’s no hiding place. It’s survival Sunday. In any other season, we’d have been fine.”

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez needs a repeat of last Sunday’s win – which sent West Ham down – this time at Stoke.

“We have nothing to lose,” he said.

“We have been in this situation since the end of November.”