Blackpool boss Ian Holloway’s reputation as one of the wackiest football managers around is well deserved, according to Blues’ star Jay Emmanuel-Thomas.
It was Holloway who took Emmanuel-Thomas to the Seasiders on loan from first club Arsenal in August 2009 and he netted once in 12 appearances for them.
He has fond memories of that temporary stint and recalled: "I was just 18 and it was good experience for me. I was there in the early part of the season and I was disappointed that I missed their promotion to the Premiership.
"The thing I remember most is the way the manager behaved. To be honest he was a bit hectic and wild. He was really loud the way he buzzed around the dressing room. The music would be on and he would be happy, smiling and even dancing.
"From what I have seen of him on the box he seems to have calmed down a bit but for all I know he might still be the same. He’s a decent manager, as his record shows, but there’s no doubt he’s a bit different.”
Emmanuel-Thomas also had loan spells at Doncaster and Cardiff before Town boss Paul Jewell made him a permanent signing in July last year.
Holloway, meanwhile, has steered the Tangerines to within a point of the play-offs and they come to Portman Road fresh from a 5-1 FA Cup thrashing of Conference leaders Fleetwood last week.
Emmanuel-Thomas added: "They are a good side who put the emphasis on playing football but this is a big game for us and the boys are really up for it.
"There’s been a positive atmosphere about the club and on the training ground over the past few days.
"It was a painful shock for everyone when we lost at Birmingham on Wednesday. We thought we were going to take a point, which would have been a platform for us to move forward.
"But the late goal just shattered our hopes and dreams of getting something from the game. Now we need to up our levels again and try to take three points off Blackpool.”
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