Blackpool manager Ian Holloway bemoans his attackers after Stoke City stalemate

Ian Holloway, Blackpool

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Blackpool manager Ian Holloway bemoaned his attacking options following the goalless draw with Stoke City.

Kenwynne Jones had the game’s best chance when he missed an open goal for Stoke at the end of the first half.

As for Blackpool, they only registered three shots on target in the whole game but the point keeps them one place above the relegation zone.

“We’ve come out of our doldrums, taken on a really good side at our place and kept a clean sheet,” said Holloway at his post-match press conference.

“Unfortunately what they’re good at defending, was slightly better than our attacking options today.

“Well done to Tony Pulis. The game as a spectacle, as an attacking option, wasn’t the best but as two sides we managed to look pretty solid.

“Everything they threw at us we managed to deal with but didn’t quite hurt them enough.

“My attacking options weren’t quite flowing like they normally do; maybe you have to give Stoke credit.”

The game saw Blackpool keep a clean sheet at home for the first time this season but also saw them fail to score in front of their own fans for the first time this season.

“If you look at the commitment the lads gave me today we looked more like us, getting a foot in and challenging,” Holloway added.

“That isn’t easy to deal with when they get consistent good delivery into the box. We’ve managed to deal with whatever they threw at us.

 “All you can do is take each game as it comes and when you watched Stoke against Wolves in the week as we did, it was an ‘oh dear’, they’re in a bit of fine form.”

On his side’s survival chances, Holloway, ever the optimist, was positive with his team’s tough looking run of games.

He saiD: “I think the run-in is vital – who we’ve got compared to who other people have got.

“If we had Wolves and West Ham away or maybe both of them at home I’d much rather take these ones Tottenham and Manchester United away, Bolton at home.

“When you look at those games, who knows, there’s a lot of games you wouldn’t give us a chance in hell at this year but we’ve managed to produce things so who’s to say we can’t mirror what teams below us do.

“Anybody in their right mind would have taken this right now – ripped your arm off. These things happen in life and you’ve got to deal with it and show belief.

“I feel our belief comes from my group of lads. I thought the fans were terrific today. If we do stay up, how hard is it going to be to give it them the fans again.

“For the people of the area I don’t think they’ve ever had such a wonderful uplift.

“They have stuck with us, they deserve it, they sing their hearts out everywhere they go and just for the area itself the money this season has bought.

“The people from Stoke have come in their droves and I’m sure they will stay over tonight and go tomorrow because it is a very different place to come.”