Ian Holloway is delighted to see Blackpool on the up after admitting their relegation was one of the lowest points in his life.
Pool boss says he did not handle relegation well
Ian Holloway is delighted to see Blackpool on the up after admitting their relegation last season was one of the lowest points in his life.
The Seasiders won plaudits for their fearlessness and attacking style on their maiden Premier League campaign last year but ultimately could not avoid the drop.
Nine months on and Pool are on course to bounce back into the top-flight at the first time of asking, currently fifth in the Championship and unbeaten in 10 games, with seven victories in that run.
Low point
Manager Holloway is pleased to be back on track after conceding the weeks following relegation were as bad as he has felt.
He told
The Times: "It was handling the disappointment, that was the biggest thing.
"I didn't think I handled it that well. I don't think there were many times I have felt sorry for myself in my life, but I did after relegation.
"I had a bit of sulk on for a while and I never even had that when my daughters were diagnosed with being deaf. I didn't have time to - I just had to get on with it.
"I am out of that now and looking forward to the challenge."
Several of the key players that starred in Pool's Premier League campaign departed in the summer, including Charlie Adam, David Vaughan and DJ Campbell.
But the emergence of the likes of forward Lomana LuaLua and winger Matt Phillips have boosted Holloways options.
The manager, who travels to Everton with his side in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday, said: "Now we have added some more options to our squad the penny seems to have dropped and the belief has started to come.
Depth
"You need a good squad. You need strength in depth and you need people who can give you different options.
"You need to make sure you are not predictable and that is what I felt went wrong last season - we were too predictable.
"We are now realising we could be a good team again. Now there are late goals and late turnarounds. They don't stop."
