STEVE Coppell insists Bristol City can learn from the example set by Ian Holloway's Blackpool side.

Widely tipped to be relegated before the start of the season, the Seasiders have instead surprised everyone by reaching the Championship play-offs.

And Holloway's team can complete an incredible season by beating Cardiff City in Saturday's play-off final at Wembley to win promotion to the Premier League.

New City manager Coppell has an excellent track record when it comes to taking clubs from the English second tier to the top flight, having guided both Crystal Palace and Reading to the Premier League.

Charged with the task of taking the Robins to the Premier League for the first time, the Liverpudlian believes Holloway's methods at Blackpool represent a blueprint for success.

The Bristolian has been forced to operate within tight budgetary confines at Bloomfield Road, relying on free signings and loans to build a side capable of challenging for promotion against all the odds.

Coppell said: "What Ollie has achieved at Blackpool and the way he has gone about it is an example to us all. Just about everyone thought they would go down at the start of the season and those people have all been proved wrong.

"You have to score goals to get out of this league and only Newcastle and West Brom have scored more than Blackpool. They have played attractive, attacking football."

He added: "Ollie has worked wonders on limited money and has shown how far you can take that if you get the basics right.

"He has assembled a group of lads who all want to play for the club, who are ambitious to better themselves and who will walk through brick walls for one another.

"They have bonded and it is that closeness and that collective spirit to achieve that has enabled them to punch above their weight and make the play-offs."

Coppell watched Blackpool out-gun Nottingham Forest 6-4 on aggregate in the play-off semi-final last week and says he will now attempt to create the same unity of purpose, commitment to the cause and spirit at Ashton Gate.

He said: "We can definitely learn from the way they do things at Blackpool – you don't need to spend big money to get out of the Championship.

"I don't expect an open chequebook, but I'd like to think we can still build a team capable of challenging for promotion.

"If people are committed, are prepared to work very hard day in and day out and believe in what they are doing, then it can be done."