The Great Unknown

Following on from his comments about the team’s fighting spirit, Pool forward Brett Ormerod has admitted that he has no idea what to expect from new boss Ian Holloway.

Pre-season training starts next Wednesday, and having heard about Ian Holloway’s plans for training, Ormerod admits that he’ll probably become less of a fan of pre-season than before, if that is possible!

Ormerod said: ‘I do feel quite excited and I know the other lads do as well. Everyone is in same boat- we don’t really know what to expect.
I’m sure pre-season will be hard work but hopefully enjoyable as well.

‘No sane footballer can say he enjoys pre-season – I definitely don’t. But it is a must, especially in today’s game, and you’ve got to get on with it. But for me, the quicker the footballs come out the better.

‘Obviously it is going to be hard work, but I’ve had some of the hardest pre-seasons ever under Gordon Strachan (at Southampton) and Alan Irvine (Preston). If it’s going to top those, then I am scared!

‘But I’m looking forward to meeting the new manager, which should be good. I’ve come across Ian Holloway inmytime and spoken to him once or twice, though I can’t say I’ve ever had a deep conversation with him.

‘He has a very good reputation in the game and hopefully he can help take this club forward.’

Ormerod also admits that his contract talks were difficult, but that he always wanted to remain at Bloomfield Road:

‘It is never easy negotiating here, that’s for sure! People thought I was taking the mickey when I said I didn’t know what I’d be doing next season or whether I’d still be a footballer, but I genuinely didn’t have a clue whether I would get another club.

‘I spoke to one or two during the summer, but I always said I’d rather stay at Blackpool if the deal was right. Thankfully it was sorted … eventually.

‘I’m happy I signed and it is a weight off my mind. You go away and enjoy your holidays but it is always nice to get things sorted.

‘There was a bit of interest from elsewhere. A few clubs asked about me, though not as many as there used to be now I’m getting on!

‘I said at the end of last season that I wanted to get something sorted here and thankfully we’ve done that.’

‘It’s about being happy,’ added Ormerod.

‘When I came back here it felt like I’d never been away. There are good lads here and familiar surroundings.

‘It’s good to be in the Championship but at my time of life it is more important to be somewhere you are happy. Had it been different when I came back, perhaps I wouldn’t have signed, but I had a good, strong finish to the season.’