Holloway column

Listen to Ollie sound off!

Holloway's going nowhere this season

This week the Plymouth manager praises his side's return to from, but wishes it had happened earlier.

Plus he gives his verdict on the excellent performances of the the English teams in the Champions League, fans banging on his dugout and why he won't be backing a horse in the Grand National.

PLYMOUTH BOUNCE BACK

It was nice to get back to winning ways against Leicester. It looked a terrible week on paper but the performances against Leeds and Ipswich weren't bad.

We had a man sent off in the first minute against Ipswich which wasn't fair. It seemed like the ref did everything he could to make it 3-0 to them. For the large part of the second half we dominated the play and scored a good goal which was disallowed.

They scored a goal in the last minute, Leeds scored a goal in the last minute when we were much the better team, whereas Burnley just whupped our backsides. I wasn't very happy with that but on Saturday we got back to winning ways - that's the Championship for you. Anyone can beat anyone.

We're trying to rev people up but somebody told me we're the only team in that division that can't go up and can't go down, which is a bit annoying because we've dropped nine out of the last 12 points which is a right pain in the backside. But that begs the question are we good enough to go up? On the evidence of this season maybe not but maybe if we hit the gound running next season who knows?

ENGLISH CLUBS' CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DISPLAYS

Absolutely outstanding and Man United - what can you say about that performance? When they didn't have possession they were scintillating and when they were in possession they were fabulous.

It's just like watching Brazil

The way they defended and pressed and closed to win the ball back and then go and hurt Roma was absolutely outstanding. And the quality of the goals was unreal.

Chelsea's performance was also outstanding and I'm very proud of all of them.

It's fantastic for us to have three out of the four Champions League semi-finalists and it'll be nice if one of them goes on to win it.

There's a big gulf between the top four and the rest of the Premiership and with all of them being taken over by Americans and Russians they're going to get even further away from the pack and I'm not sure whether that's such a good thing.

THREE TEAMS IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMIS AND ENGLAND STILL RUBBISH

That's the way it is. Do they play with the same pride and passion for England?

Plus the fact they get to work with their club managers week in week out. It must be very hard when you're the England manager and you only to get to see your team a few weeks a year. And even when you've picked your squad, how many of the ones you want do you actually get?

At the moment we're a world class striker short. It's a shame Crouchy couldn't play in those games against Israel and Andorra.

Cheers for the broken nose, gaffer

He's come back after a little broken hooter and done the business for Liverpool - he's been on fire. But surely he could have played for England the other week?

Anyone who can do that to the Arsenal defence is unbelieveable. He got the perfect hat-trick, left foot right foot and header.

Benitez said if he has another lean spell they'll arrange for him to break his nose again so he comes back stronger, which was very nice of him! I'm sure he was only jesting!

I'M A FAN OF LIFE ON MARS - ARE YOU?

Life on Mars - what's that? Cop stuck in 1973? Oh I get it - dodgy flares, dodgy collars - are you trying to make your wardrobe look fashionable again? Is that why you like it?

PUNTER'S QUESTION

Matty P: "When you get to the stage of the season where you look like neither going up or down how do you keep players motivated?"

It's very difficult and I'm getting a bit angry with them at the moment. They're all talking about holidays and what have you and they should be focusing on trying to finish as high up the league as they can.

We've got some tests we want them to do and if they don't give me the standard I'm looking for they'll be punished by having to come in during the summer.

606: DEBATE Ask Ollie a question

We've still got the Joey Barton shorts for the player who underperforms the most but I didn't do it with them last week because I wasn't very happy with them and didn't feel like laughing. To their credit they responded with a great performance against Leicester.

In fairness the fixture list wasn't kind to us over Easter. We had to go from Plymouth to Ipswich, then Plymouth to Burnley and then to Leeds which was all a bit too much.

We went halfway around the world with Phileas Fogg in one week. If we'd done all those miles in a brand new car we'd have had thousands of pounds wiped off the value.

PUNTER'S QUESTION II

Nesta 1983: "Hi Ollie, I was sat right behind you at Leeds and was the one banging on your dugout (sorry just got carried away). I noticed you talk to your subs quite a bit - what do you talk about?"

Leave the dugout alone!

I'm trying to see if they're a) awake and b) taking any notice of what's happening.

I had quite a young bench that day so I was giving them some information about what was in front of them. And then telling them how they can learn things even when they're not actually out there.

By the way - don't ever bang on the back of my dugout again, mate!

PUNTER'S QUESTION III

DHFC: "Ollie: Me and a few friends have started visiting Plymouth once a month and I thought I'd get an Argyle shirt. I was shocked to discover no local sports shops sold them. Chelsea, Man Utd, AC Milan - but no Plymouth.

Are the residents of Plymouth a bunch of glory hunters, or are the Argyle missing a trick? Could you let me know where to get one from? And will you sign it?!"

All your Plymouth needs taken care of

You've gotta get one from the club shop and I will definitely sign it for you. I don't know if we're missing out in the town but we do quite well in our club shop. We like to get all sorts in - not just shirts but loads of different trinketry.

We've got everything from cufflinks to champagne glasses and whisky tumblers, so get on down to Home Park and we'll sort you out and show you a right good time!

WHAT'S YOUR GRAND NATIONAL TIP?

Try and find one with four legs that looks fit and runs fast - that always helps.

I don't bet on horses myself. It's a wonderful race but it upsets me sometimes if they fall. Plus the fact I would never put any of my money that I work hard for on an animal, whether it be it a horse or a dog.

I've never met a skint bookie. People call me stupid and crazy but I ain't that daft mate!

Interview by Chris Charles.