Hughes' friendship with the Blackpool boss started before the Tangerines' expectation-defying debut season in the Premier League. Holloway, who takes his team to Craven Cottage on Sunday, is a colourful figure but Hughes refuses to be deceived by his antics. "I known Ian reasonably well. We have some mutual friends so after games I'd spend a little more time with him," he said. "I really enjoy his company, as you'd expect. He's a great personality and a great guy to spend time with. "He's not at all removed from his public persona in private, he's exactly the same! "What people have to understand is that although they laugh at his comments - and I think bravado has much to do with his comments - he knows his stuff. "He's a very knowledgeable football man and sometimes when the statements come out that make people chuckle, that can be lost. "But make no mistake, he understands what he's about and trying to do. That's reflected in his teams." Holloway is hoping to revive Blackpool's fortunes following a recent slump that has seen them win just one of their last 11 league matches. "Ian's done a great job and has had a fantastic first season," said Hughes. "Obviously Blackpool can stay up but they are on a run of form that's difficult and that would concern me. "I'm sure it concerns Ollie that they haven't won that many games of late. "But in every game they're competitive and look like they can score goals. "It's difficult when you haven't won games for a while - that anxiety can creep into your game."
