The Seasiders have won five of their 15 games in the top flight, upsetting a number of teams with their attacking, forthright play.
Ahead of Saturday's trip to the Britannia Stadium, Higginbotham said: "Some people say they are the surprise package of the season so far, but I don't think so.
"They`ve got a quality manager and they have some top players there too, so to be honest they fully deserve to be where they are in the League."
Speaking to the club's official website, Higginbotham added with regard to Holloway: "He is brilliant, and has been an absolute breath of fresh air. His comments are always bang on and straight to the point.
"I have a hell of a lot of respect for the man, because of what he has done throughout his career in management. He has been a major success for Blackpool and he has taken them to a place that nobody believed they could reach."
Source: PA
Source: PA