Pool Close To First Summer Signing

New Pool boss Ian Holloway has revealed that he expects to make his first signing as Blackpool manager in the very near future.

He is in talks with two players, and negotiations with one of them – a 21-year-old Championship player – are at an advanced stage.

Holloway has also stated that after watching DVDs of the Pool squad in action, he feels that he only needs to bring in four or five players this summer, favouring quality over quantity.

The manager explained: ‘I didn’t think there was a lot wrong at the end of last season, so if it’s not broke let’s not fix it.

‘I had a long meeting with my staff shortly after I took over and they know what I want to do.

‘They told me what they think of the squad and I feel I know the players better after that.

‘I’ve watched a lot of Blackpool matches on DVD and have been very impressed. That’s why there’s no rush in adding players and why we must be very careful that the new players fit the right mould for this club.

‘There won’t be a great number of players coming in but I’m probably four or five short of the squad that I want.

‘We’re doing OK on that front and making progress, and the nice thing is I’ve got a scouting network I’ve been working on for 14 years.

‘A new manager who hasn’t got that has to grab at people and take people in panic situations.

‘That’s why managers often pick a loan up who plays one game and doesn’t play again -what a waste of money.’

‘We are looking at having between 22 and 25 players,’ added Holloway.

‘You can get away with 22 if you get hardly any injuries but normally you have about 20 per cent of your squad carrying knocks, so 25 is the figure that would do me.

‘There has been quite a bit to organise and now it will be nice to see my players next week – that’s what I’m most looking forward to.

‘Planning pre-season was the most important thing. We did that early and are very happy with what we’ve got lined up.’