Holloway delighted with Reid deal

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway is happy with his transfer window dealings, but admits he gets frustrated that he cannot compete with some of his rivals.

Holloway brought in Sunderland’s Andy Reid on a permanent deal until the end of the season, with Rangers’ James Beattie, Southampton’s Jason Puncheon and Zenit St Petersburg’s Sergei Kornilenko all joining on loan.

Tonight’s opponents West Ham, however, are likely to have Robbie Keane – a player whose cumulative transfer fees exceed £70m – in the team after he joined on loan from Tottenham.

Holloway knows his club remain unfashionable despite their attacking brand of football which has them 12th in the Barclays Premier League, but just has to accept that he will have to continue to root out players he feels can do a job for him.

“I believe we are getting better,” Holloway said. “When you see the signings we have made they will give us even more chance to improve.

“The likes of West Ham, who are currently bottom, have just signed Robbie Keane? Could I have signed Robbie Keane? Would he have wanted to have come to Blackpool?

“Could I have afforded one itsy bit of one of his laces, let alone one of his boots? I don’t think so. Life’s not fair but you have to deal with it and get on with it.”

Holloway has been credited with getting the best out of captain Charlie Adam, so much so that Liverpool and Tottenham tried to sign him in the transfer window.

He now hopes to be able to do the same for Reid, whose career had stalled at the Stadium of Light.

“Andy is a terrific footballer. If you gave him the ball he would be able to hang onto it and keep everyone away from him and that is what I believe football is all about,” the Seasiders boss added.

“You have to have skill, want the ball and love having the ball. I can’t wait to work with him.

“I am delighted he wanted to come and I hope I can get him going where he wants to be again, which is in the first team on a regular basis, scoring and creating goals.

“I think he is up to speed. If I throw him a ball he’ll be there and so that is what I intend doing.”