Holloway unrepentant about tame defeat by Dons

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has made no apologies for fielding a weakened side in the Carling Cup. The Premier League newcomers went out of the competition in the second round on Tuesday to MK Dons, two divisions below them.

Holloway did not attend the match and went to Scunthorpe's tie against Sheffield Wednesday instead, with reports linking him to the visiting striker Marcus Tudgay.

Holloway, who refused to comment on the speculation, said yesterday: "With the greatest respect to MK Dons, the team I put out there, the players needed a game. That game has gone and we are out of the cup. Was I bothered? No. That was the strongest team I could risk after last Saturday and what I have got this Saturday.

"My priority is to bring enough players here to give us half a chance to get enough points by January so we don't go mad in the market again and we keep our Premier League status. That is what it is all about."

Next up in the Premier League after the 6-0 thrashing by Arsenal are Fulham at Blackpool's revamped Bloomfield Road ground tomorrow. It will be their first home game in the top flight in 39 years.

While Holloway is excited about strengthening his squad by the end of the transfer window he is concerned about player power. He said: "I was outspoken at the managers' meeting and will probably never be invited again but I believe the Bosman ruling is totally wrong. It gives power to agents, not the club.

"Say you have developed a player for four or five years and he runs out of contract. If you offer him the same contract at least you should hold his registration. But now, if he is 24 he can walk out of the club for nothing. It breeds disloyalty ."