The Seasiders fell behind after three minutes at Bloomfield Road when Hugo Rodallega slotted through Matt Gilks' legs, and Charles N'Zogbia made it 2-0 in first-half stoppage time.
Mohamed Diame sent in a third for the visitors via a deflection off Neal Eardley midway through the second period, rendering DJ Campbell's late reply a mere consolation.
The result means the Latics leapfrogged their opponents into 17th and Blackpool now have five matches left to get themselves out of trouble.
With only one win in their last 13 games, a revival is needed quickly, and Holloway wants to see his team fighting for their lives in their remaining fixtures.
He said: "This suits us now. We are like a wounded animal and we know we are the dirtiest in the dog zone and we have to come out fighting for every scrap that is left."
Source: PA
Source: PA