PALACE assistant boss Keith Millen hopes the Blackpool fans give Ian Holloway a good reception at Selhurst Park tomorrow as they both get ready to face their former employers.
Millen was only at Bloomfield Road for a brief time since August, but Holloway had an incredible three-and-a-half years with the Tangerines, leading them to the Premier League for the first time in the club's history.
Both men arrived in SE25 just over a month ago and Millen believes Holloway will want to 'get one over' his former club despite his deep affection for them.
"He's very proud of what he achieved in the three years he was up there – it was the best journey Blackpool fans have ever been on, and that's the same with Ian," Millen told Advertiser Sport.
"That will never change, and I think just because on Saturday when we play against each other, the rivalry gets heightened, but deep down, I'm sure all Blackpool fans and players, and Ian himself, will all love the time they were together.
"I wasn't there as long as Ian but it's unbelievable how it turns around.
"We are looking forward to the game and it will be nice to see the players and the staff there.
"Obviously, Ian had a great time at the club and I hope the fans at Blackpool appreciate what he did there.
"I think the majority of them will but they're going to want to beat us and there's always that extra edge (of facing your former club).
"Ian will be desperate to get one over them and I'm sure Blackpool will be desperate to get one over Ian, so there will definitely be an edge to Saturday's game.
"Eventually you have to move on, and you do get the banter and the stick on match days but I'm sure everyone appreciates the great time they had in those three years especially."
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Millen was only at Bloomfield Road for a brief time since August, but Holloway had an incredible three-and-a-half years with the Tangerines, leading them to the Premier League for the first time in the club's history.
Both men arrived in SE25 just over a month ago and Millen believes Holloway will want to 'get one over' his former club despite his deep affection for them.
"He's very proud of what he achieved in the three years he was up there – it was the best journey Blackpool fans have ever been on, and that's the same with Ian," Millen told Advertiser Sport.
"That will never change, and I think just because on Saturday when we play against each other, the rivalry gets heightened, but deep down, I'm sure all Blackpool fans and players, and Ian himself, will all love the time they were together.
"I wasn't there as long as Ian but it's unbelievable how it turns around.
"We are looking forward to the game and it will be nice to see the players and the staff there.
"Obviously, Ian had a great time at the club and I hope the fans at Blackpool appreciate what he did there.
"I think the majority of them will but they're going to want to beat us and there's always that extra edge (of facing your former club).
"Ian will be desperate to get one over them and I'm sure Blackpool will be desperate to get one over Ian, so there will definitely be an edge to Saturday's game.
"Eventually you have to move on, and you do get the banter and the stick on match days but I'm sure everyone appreciates the great time they had in those three years especially."
The contents of this article must not be reproduced without the permission of the Croydon Advertiser.
Follow me on Twitter for the latest news, exclusives and live match updates @AdvertiserSport
If you're on Facebook, please 'Like' our page at www.facebook.com/AdvertiserSport
And now you can watch our exclusive away video clips on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/AdvertiserSport