Former Blackpool boss Ian Holloway has given advice on how to get promoted from the Championship as Leeds United, Leicester City and Ipswich Town fight for a place in the Premier League.
Holloway took Blackpool to the Premier League for the first time in the club’s history by winning the play-off final in 2010. The Tangerines came from nowhere to finish sixth in the league before beating Cardiff City 3-2 at Wembley Stadium in a thrilling encounter to qualify for the Premier League.
Although their stay in League One lasted just one season, Ian Holloway knows exactly what it takes to break out of the Championship and has revealed some of his wisdom on how the best clubs can survive the rest of the season.
“It’s all about that little extra”
Although Ipswich and Leicester City appear to be running away with two automatic promotion places this season, Ian Holloway has warned about maintaining consistency and finding the right balance to maintain a great level of form.
Ian Holloway said he sees Leicester City winning the Championship but also backs Ipswich and Leeds United to challenge for promotion.
He also warned that it will take “a bit more” for the team to win the league and described the title race as “too big to predict”.
Speaking to Genting Casino, Holloway said, “There is so much quality in the Championship and in the depths of every team. It’s all about that little extra that your team has. That little bit of togetherness, that little bit of fight, the balance between skill and will. It’s almost too close to call.
“Obviously Leicester look like they could run away, Ipswich are also there, Leeds are almost there but now 10 points behind.
“It’s all about being consistent and keeping going, not getting a few injuries at the wrong time, and it’s also about the next transfer window.”
While Leicester City have been incredible this season, breaking records for the best start in Championship history, Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town have been a surprise this season.
They are second in the league after promotion from League One and McKenna has provided fast, attacking football that has drawn praise from across the EFL.
This season, it seems that any side is fit to be champions, although it would be foolish to neglect Leeds United, who have excelled this season under Daniel Farke.
It seems likely that there will be three contenders for automatic promotion, with whoever wins the crown a worthy winner based on the first half of the season.
“I don’t think the championship has ever been more difficult.”
Ian Holloway believes the EFL Championship is tougher than it has ever been, with the top three teams impressing so far.
Top clubs such as Southampton, Leicester City and Leeds United have all been relegated from the Premier League this season, joining some fantastic clubs such as Ipswich, West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland to make this one of the most exciting seasons ever.
Many top players stayed at clubs that were relegated last season, with Leicester City boasting Premier League winners Jamie Vardy and Marc Albrighton this season, while Ipswich came up from League One and established themselves in the Championship.
Ian Holloway said: “I don’t think the Championship has ever been harder. Look at who’s come down and who they’ve kept and what an advantage that can give them. Look who’s gone up and is going up! Wow! This is a league I have to keep an eye on.
“I enjoy watching a Championship game more than I enjoy seeing someone holding on to Man City’s tail.”
Ian Holloway has retired from football after leaving Grimsby Town in 2020 but remains as excited about the Championship title race as ever.