IAN HOLLOWAY
FFT’s columnist has twice tasted success in the Championship’s play-off showpiece, and knows the kind of pitfalls that await the winners. Don’t try to change too much too quickly – but definitely don’t be scared...
WHAT’S OCCURRInG
Iknow what it’s like to be on the end of play-off heartbreak – not just as a manager but a player, too – and my God, does it hurt. It’s why when you do finally make it, that feeling is just pure euphoria. You’ve actually done something. In my opinion, the Championship play-off final is the biggest game in the world, and I’ve been lucky enough to win it twice: with Blackpool in 2010 and then Crystal Palace in 2013.
After that, though, you’ve barely got time to enjoy it: you know that you’ve got to step up, but have less time than anyone to do it. First you need to let the lads celebrate a bit, then have a chat with your owners to say, ‘Right, where are we going?’ You need to know the average budgets and salary in the division above, see where you are and give yourselves a chance. Everything is a balance, though: you’ve got to reward the lads who did it for you, while sieving out the ones who might not make that step up – it’s ruthless like that.