Blackpool's surprise contenders not getting credit they deserve say players - promotion to the Premier League 10 years on

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be dipping into the archives to bring you STEVE CANAVAN’S Gazette reports from a decade ago on Blackpool’s remarkable journey to the promised land.

Ten years ago, two of Ian Holloway’s players took aim at outside opinions of the Seasiders...

Ian Evatt and Keith Southern believe the Seasiders haven’t got the credit they deserve for taking the Championship by surprise.

Tipped for relegation by the bookies, Pool head into the final fixture 90 minutes from a play-off place.

They have been on live TV just once all season and haven’t made too many headlines in the national press.

Even when nine of the players went to the PFA awards at the weekend to see Charlie Adam named in the Championship team of the year, there was a little reminder of how they have slipped under the radar.

“People are forever putting this team down, putting our players down and the press aren’t bothered about us,” said Evatt.

“We were at the PFA do last Sunday and they showed every team in the Championship apart from us in the clips of the season so far.

“We get frustrated because we know ourselves that we are better than a lot of teams.

“The gaffer and Steve Thompson, who has been a big part of it, are so proud of us I think.

“Team spirit is second to none and our ability on the pitch has improved a lot as well.

“But we definitely don’t get the recognition and the boys are very disappointed with the way Sky have been with us.

“Newcastle are on TV pretty much every week. But in a way it has inspired us.

“We can stick two fingers up and say we know we’re a good side, we know what we can do and we view that as an incentive, to prove people wrong.

“If they don’t think we’re as good as others then that is their decision.”

Pool will be on TV again on Sunday when the clash with Bristol City is screened. And Keith Southern agrees with Evatt that it’s about time.

“ When you consider Newcastle have been on every week I think it has been a disgrace,” said Southern.

“We’ve been on once this season and for a team that has never been outside the top 12 it is embarrassing really.

“But that’s the way it is and we’ve got an opportunity now.

“We’re on Sky on Sunday and if we win we are guaranteed at least another two TV games.

“It doesn’t matter to us. If that’s what Sky want to do and that’s the way the public see Blackpool as a so-called small side then fine. But the lads have been different class this season and hopefully we can have a fantastic end to the season now.”

Ian Holloway can “hardly believe” Bristol City are the opponents for the crunch fixture which will decide whether the Seasiders make the play-offs.

Holloway was born and bred in Bristol and turned down City as a youngster to join Rovers.

He had three separate spells at Rovers and spent five years as manager there too.

It means he hasn’t always been popular among Robins supporters and it’s why he’s amazed the season will all boil down to the fixture against his old nemesis.

“It’s at home, it’s against Bristol City and I can hardly believe that being a Bristolian and a very proud one,” he said.

“And it will not be an easy game at all because they are a good team.

“Getting Steve Coppell is a fantastic appointment for them and they will move forward.

“Steve coming in shows the club’s ambition and I wish him all the very best in the job but not on Sunday.”

Holloway is delighted Pool have timed their run into the top six with perfection, especially as he thought at one point that they’d blown it.

“I am just delighted for the lads,” said the boss.

“To win six out of seven games is terrific because it looked like we were dead and buried not so long ago. It still might be if we lose on Sunday.

“But I am bursting with pride about the journey we have been on.

“I wanted it to go down to the final day. It has and it is great to hear the optimism among our fans.

“Now we have got 90 minutes to try to score some goals again, and if we do we’ll be in dreamland.”