Manchester City No2 Brian Kidd has hailed the work done by Ian Holloway with today's opponents Blackpool.
Roberto Mancini's right-hand man, who has himself managed at Premier League level with Blackburn Rovers, believes that effervescent Seasiders boss Holloway has further improved Blackpool since that 3-2 defeat.
Kidd told City's website: "From the outside looking in, I think what Ollie has done is say to his team: 'Express yourselves and let's see how we end up!' And they've been tremendous, because everybody wrote them off.
"They gave us a severe examination at Bloomfield Road. We managed to win the game and it coincided with David Silva coming on and, for me, influencing the game with Carlos Tevez. It was a hard-earned victory that day.
"That was early on in the season. They have gone on from strength to strength, and if you look at it now, if Ollie keeps them in the Premier League, he'll be manager of the season, no doubt about it.
"I think he only had about nine players coming up to the start of the season, so his judgement of players and staff has been very good, and the players have responded brilliantly."
