Despite putting in a great effort at Villa Park, the Tangerines lost the match 3-2 when they arguably deserved something from the game. Had they come away with one point or even all three it could be argued that Holloway would not be under such scrutiny for making wholesale changes to his side.
However, this situation is not unprecedented. Last season, Wolves were fined by the Premier League for fielding a "weakened" side in a game which they lost against Manchester United. Mick McCarthy's men won their next game which appeared to justify his decision but the Premier League stuck to the rulebook and fined the club £25,000.
A common argument put forward by fans of "smaller" Premier League clubs, like Wolves, is that the "Big Four" can field weakened sides without facing the same consequences. Whilst it appears to be a petty argument upon scratching the surface of it, proof of it being correct can be easily found.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson made 10 changes to his side on the final day of the 2008/09 season against Hull City in preparation for the Champions League final. Although the result went the way of United, a loss would have evoked outrage from both Middlesbrough and Newcastle - two clubs involved in the relegation battle alongside Hull.
In a similar event, Rafael Benitez - then manager of Liverpool - made nine changes to his team ahead of a Champions League final against AC Milan. In this case, however, Liverpool lost 1-0 to boost Fulham's chances of survival, sparking a furious tirade from Neil Warnock, who was in the thick of a relegation battle with Sheffield United. Come the end of the season, the Blades were relegated on goal difference whilst Fulham stayed up by a point. The consequences of Benitez's team selection were disastrous for Sheffield United yet there was no punishment for the Merseyside team.
The general consensus seems to be that Blackpool should be fined in order for the Premier League to maintain consistency in their decisions but the only thing the Premier League are consistent about is being inconsistent.
Holloway's justification for making the changes is likely to fall upon deaf ears when the final decision is made but he makes a lot of fair points. He hasn't shuffled his pack, so to speak, that often in league games; instead opting for a consistent line-up since the 4-0 win at Wigan on the opening day rather than chopping and changing week-in, week-out to get as many points on the board as quickly as possible to ensure survival.
The pace of the Premier League is faster than that of the Championship - the latter being a standard of football most of Holloway's squad will be accustomed to which will inevitably lead to fatigue and injury. With his side having to play four games in the short space of 12 days, Holloway is merely being pragmatic with his resources.
Holloway himself has claimed that he will resign as manager if Blackpool are fined for making the changes; an over-reaction, perhaps, but a clear message that he will not tolerate being told what he can and can't do by the footballing powers that be.
"We deserved at least a point and how dare anybody tell me the players I've been working with, I can't treat them with respect and give them a chance. If some bright spark from the Premier League wants to tell me who I can pick then come and have a cup of coffee and you'll probably get it chucked in your lap.
Let them try and fine me, it's an absolute disgrace. I'll show the Premier League. We were a credit to football, and let the Premier League try to tell me otherwise."
Other Premier League managers have offered their support to Holloway.
"I think it should be left to the manager of the football club to decide what team they pick, and nobody else. Who is to say the other 10 players he left out would have done as well as the 10 that played?" said Stoke boss Tony Pulis.
Fulham manager Mark Hughes added, "I think it'd be wrong if people start stepping in and telling managers who they should be picking."
Given the introduction of the 25-man squad rule over the Summer, the Premier League appear to be contradicting themselves with the inevitable fine waiting to be revealed. Football has been a squad game for a long time due to fatigue and injuries so if the Premier League are trying to tell managers who they can and can't pick for their side then is there any point in having a squad at all?
As an Argyle fan I don't much like Holloway and he does have a tendency to be over dramatic at times (threatening to resign over this is an over reaction) but, as I often do, I agree with his point. The only person that should have a say in picking the team is the manager, it should have nothing to do with the Premier League. A manager should have the right to pick any of the players in his squad for any reason, if he wishes to rest players for a later match that is his decision. Secondly, as you say Sam, fining Blackpool would not be consistent with anything, there is no consistency when it comes to punishing clubs for fielding under strength sides. Blackpool should not be fined, this shouldn't even have to be discussed. I hope that common sense prevails, partly because I am enjoying watching Blackpool in the Premiership and if Holloway did resign it would be very damaging for them but mostly because it is the right decision.
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