Ex-Blackpool star backs 'one of the best' Holloway at Swindon

Former Blackpool striker Brett Ormerod said that his ex-manager Ian Holloway is exactly what Swindon Town need to get the club moving back up.

Ormerod was part of Holloway’s Blackpool side that won promotion to the Premier League via the playoffs and scored the winning goal against Cardiff City at Wembley, being a key cog in both the promotion season and also in their solitary season in the top flight.

The 61-year-old is preparing to take charge of his first game with Swindon this weekend as they face Colchester United in the FA Cup First Round, hoping to bring Town beyond the first round for only the fourth time in the last 13 years.

Speaking to The Blackpool Gazette, the former striker spoke of what he believed to be Holloway’s almost unparalleled man-management ability from his time playing under him and why he believed it could be big for Town.

He said: “It’s great to see him back. Not only is he a fantastic manager, he’s one of the great characters of football.

“I think his bubbliness at times might’ve been mistaken for clowning about, but that was never Ian Holloway. He’s a very astute manager and a very clever person.

“He knows his stuff. He’s got that charisma and personality that can bring the best out of players.

“His man management is up there with the best of them, and that’s massively important, even more so nowadays when you’re trying to give younger players the confidence to go out and play.

“Brian Clough was very similar in terms of getting the best out of players, but he would knock them back down to earth, whereas Holloway has the opposite approach, he builds people up and finds a way of getting them to play for him.

“Man management is about identifying which players need a kick up the backside at times, and those who go into their shell and need an arm around their shoulder.

“He could offer the shot in the arm Swindon needs, and he’s shown what he’s about straight away.

"The game at the weekend against Gillingham, he was meant to be just a spectator, but by half time he was down pitchside, organising the team.

“He looks like he’s itching to get back in, so I’m sure they would’ve had a really good week in training with him.

“I’m indebted to him for what he did for me, and what he did for Blackpool. He took everyone with him.”