Former Blackpool star Jimmy Armfield has heaped praise on the current crop of players ahead of tonight's clash with Chelsea at Bloomfield Road.
Armfield, who made close to 600 appearances for the Tangerines between 1954 and 1971, says Ian Holloway has done a great job with the seaside club who currently sit 15th on the top flight table.
He says that the spirit with which Blackpool play, which Holloway has instilled, must be commended.
"Most people have Blackpool as their second favourite team and I bet 95 per cent of the country are hoping Blackpool survive," he told the London Evening Standard.
"The club have done a lot for the Premier League this season and embodied the open contest it has been this year.
"The manager, Ian Holloway, has had little money to spend and if he keeps them up he should be a candidate for manager of the season.
"It is the way he has got the team to play attacking football and while they have conceded the most goals in the Premier League, they have score a lot themselves.
"They have given hope to other small clubs."
