Holloway hails defensive improvement

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway believes his team's new-found defensive solidity could hold the key to Championship play-off success.

Last Friday's 1-0 win in the first leg, courtesy of a Curtis Davies own goal, handed the Seasiders a slender advantage going into the return at St Andrew's. The clean sheet was a third in a row at Bloomfield Road and, in an ongoing eight-match unbeaten run, the Tangerines have not had their defence breached on six occasions. "We looked solid. It was another clean sheet," Holloway said, referring to his team's first win over Birmingham in five attempts. "That's what we've improved on. "We probably didn't do that enough early in the season, but I thought my two centre-halves and two full-backs were absolutely outstanding. "With Angel Martinez in front of them as well and (Barry) Ferguson getting a foot in, we didn't look like we were going to let anything in."