Brett Ormerod insists Blackpool can defy the doomsayers - with manager Ian Holloway in charge.
Ormerod scored the winner in Blackpool's 3-2 play-off victory over Cardiff in May to lift the Seasiders back into the top flight for the first time since 1971.
Ormerod, who has not played in the top flight for five years, said: "I honestly thought my time had come and gone. I thought my time had passed as I was pretty low after the experience at Preston.
"I had lots of niggling injuries and it kept holding me back.
"I evaluated my career and although I was pleased with what I had achieved, I wanted more but wasn't sure if I'd get the chance to prove myself. But Ian came in and he's turned it around for me.
"He has given me confidence and the belief to play football again, something that I had lost previously.
"He's like Jose Mourinho in the way he's a 'Special One' for us. He's given me one last chance.
"It's down to him that I am in the Premier League. I am in shock we're here to be honest.
"Blackpool in the Premier League - you have to keep saying it over and over for it to sink in."
