Blackpool manager Mick McCarthy has praised Nottingham Forest loanee Josh Bowler for the way he adapted in playing a different role in his last outing.
Bowler, who is spending the rest of the season on loan with his former club after a failed move to Olympiacos, usually plays in a wide position. But a formation change from McCarthy for the FA Cup clash against Southampton saw him deployed in a midfield three.
Blackpool fell to a 2-1 defeat in the game as they failed to cause an upset. But the result didn’t stop the Seasiders’ boss praising the adaptability shown by Bowler.
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“He played in midfield," McCarthy said, via LancsLive . "He likes to play on the right and cut in on his left foot and he’s brilliant at it. But, if I’m not playing with 4-3-3 and you can play on the right and cut in on your left foot, you’re going to have to find somewhere else to play. And if we play three midfield players, he’s got so much ability.
“It’s that midfield mentality that you run forward, you track back, you defend, you do all those bits. I said to him ‘don’t let me leave you out of the team because you don’t do the other side of the game’. I thought for most part of the game, he’s shown me he can. He was involved with the goal, so I’m really pleased with him.”
Bowler completed a permanent move from Blackpool to Forest back in the summer, but was sent out on loan to sister club Olympiacos. After failing to get much game time for the Greek club, the 23-year-old returned to Blackpool on a temporary deal in January.
He has so far made two appearances in his second spell with the club, playing on the wing in the 2-0 Championship loss against Watford, before playing in a more central position against the Saints. It’s a role that the Forest man could take up again when Blackpool travel to Middlesbrough in the Championship at the weekend.
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