Blackpool manager Ian Holloway might drop star-man Charlie Adam

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Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has sensationally revealed he could drop star-man Charlie Adam after his sudden loss of form.

Adam has been Blackpool’s star performer this season, scoring 10 league goals from midfield, and was shortlisted for PFA Player of the Year – though Holloway says his loss of form could mean he may have to settle for a place on the bench.

“I don’t think he’s ever played under so much pressure in his whole life and he’s never wanted to do something for a group of people as much as he wants to do this,” Holloway said in an article in The Mirror.

“That’s for the players, the supporters, for himself. And that’s just the person he is.

“I’m amazed at how it didn’t affect him before, I’m amazed that he played like a dream, but there was always going to be some sort of lull.

“He’s only human, I’ve been trying to play him through it and I’ve got to decide whether he isn’t doing it well enough, whether he does need a break, because I’ve got someone like Andy Reid or Ludo Sylvestre who can come in and pass it and maybe be a bit more focused.

“What he has got to do is concentrate on playing simply, quickly, nicely and neatly and forget all his World Cup Willie shots from the halfway line because that is not really going to help anybody when you’re not on form. That’s not the way to get back in the game.

“He had a few of those long range shots, and when you’re winning it doesn’t matter but it’s a matter of balance.

“I’ve spoken to him about it saying, ‘You’ve got to be 75/25, son’. It’s got to be 75% short and quick and tidy and 25% lovely jubbly, not the other way around, which is probably what he’s doing now.”

There has been intense speculation about Adam’s future all season, and he has been linked with moves to Tottenham and Liverpool, though Holloway has hit out at Alan Shearer for suggesting he could have missed his chance of a big move.

“Last week, Alan Shearer said he hopes that Charlie’s time hasn’t passed him by.

“Come on, yours has, son; because you’re finished playing now. His hasn’t. He’s 24, so what are you talking about?

“Little comments like that don’t really help the situation and I’ve got no doubts that the boy will be sought-after throughout his career.

“I don’t know if he even heard it but I think it’s out of order. It’s a throwaway comment and there’s nothing behind it. How does he know?

“It’s not easy, but life isn’t easy. When you have your head turned, that you could be earning all sorts of things and someone like Liverpool wants you, it’s always going to be a situation.”

Holloway is in his first year as a Premier League manager and says Adam has had too learn quicker than most.

“We’re all having to learn different skills this year and maybe Charlie is having to learn more than all of us because of the highlighting and the focus, whether it’s fair or not.

“Charlie’s probably been trying too hard. You can want something too badly and if you want it too badly, that’s what it stays, a want.”