Curtis Davies claims Alex McLeish’s loyalty to his Carling Cup winners took Birmingham down last season, writes James Nursey.

Centre-back Davies has just been voted into the PFA Championship team of the season.

He has rediscovered his best form which made Villa pay £10million to West Brom for him in 2008.

His solid displays helped Birmingham into fourth place to set up tonight’s play-off clash with Blackpool.

But last season he was limited to three Birmingham starts under old boss Big Eck after joining from Villa for £3m in January 2011.

The Blues won the Carling Cup last February but were ­relegated at Spurs on the final day after taking one point from six games.

McLeish admitted wishing he had played Davies more after the defender shone at White Hart Lane.

“He did say that, but it was too little, too late,” said Davies, 27, who was cup-tied for City’s Wembley win over Arsenal.

“I don’t like a pat on the back – I prefer to be playing. He made his decisions at the time and believed in the team because they had won him the Carling Cup.

“But his belief in that team was maybe overdone. There were times when I felt I should have played and I didn’t.”

But Davies is relishing this campaign after becoming a virtual ever-present under McLeish’s successor Chris Hughton, who has changed the side’s style.

He added: “The fact I have been able to play every week in the Championship means I have got myself back on track.

“Hopefully next year we will be in the Premier League. We are not Swansea or Barcelona but we try and pass it when we can – we are a realistic team.

“You want to get up as much for the manager and the other lads as you do for yourself.

“So you will find this is one of the least selfish clubs in the Football League.”

Holloway surprised Blackpool are in play-offs

Ian Holloway claims he never expected Blackpool to reach the play-offs after their “hideous” start, writes David Anderson.
Towering achievement: Holloway and co overcame "hideous" beginning to season (
Image:
Getty)

The Blackpool boss admits the club was in a mess as they reeled from the departures of Charlie Adam, David Vaughan and DJ ­Campbell.

Those players left were angry at seeing their wages cut following relegation and Holloway claims the mood around the club was terrible.

Holloway claims Kevin Phillips’ signing helped transform the ­atmosphere together with chairman Karl Oyston restoring their pay to Premier League levels.

“I never expected us to make it,” said Holloway. “The energy around the place was hideous. We had a terrible pre-season.

“We lost 54 goals out of our team, and everyone was arguing and moaning about money.

“The chairman agreed to move nearly all of the wages back up, and things settled down. Then Phillips and Barry Ferguson came in.”

Holloway claims his side are rank outsiders to repeat their 2010 play-off success, adding: “If we did it, it would be a shock.”