Holloway will surprise top tier – Burgess

BLACKPOOL striker Ben Burgess has warned the Barclays Premier League not to underestimate boss Ian Holloway.

The Seasiders clinched a place in the English top flight for the first time in 39 years on Saturday with a thrilling 3-2 Coca-Cola Championship play-off final win against Cardiff.

Afterwards, much of the focus was trained on Holloway, who has earned a reputation as a joker during his managerial career. But Burgess insists there is far more to the 47-year-old than amusing one-liners.

"Every team that goes up finds it hard but we've got a manager who is very clever," said Burgess. "Everyone thinks he's just a madman and he can be at times, but I'm sure he'll know what to do in the Premier League."

When Holloway arrived at Bloomfield Road last summer, the unfashionable Seasiders were being tipped for relegation to League One, a fate that Holloway suffered as Leicester boss in 2008.

Yet a year out of the game re-energised the Bristolian and Blackpool reaped the benefits in remarkable fashion at Wembley.

"I think he's used that year out of football very well and he's proved a lot of people wrong," added Burgess. "He's just a very clever guy."