Nottingham Forest were keen on signing Morgan Rogers during the summer transfer window of 2021 and now he’s signed for Blackpool. Michael Appleton has landed the youngster after previously working with him during his time at Lincoln City.
Following a 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth at the beginning of the 2021/22 campaign, Rogers was spotted at Forest. He was seen chatting with Brennan Johnson – who played with at Lincoln – and had his match-worn shirt draped around his neck.
That sent the rumour mill into overdrive. Two plus two doesn’t always equate to four though and just days after Forest were convinced they were getting Rogers, he signed for Bournemouth!
His time at the Vitality Stadium was a bit of a disaster in truth. Ha made just 17 appearances in all competitions, with just one of those coming as a start in the Championship.
Under Appleton at Lincoln, he shone alongside Johnson in the Lincoln team. He was handed a regular place in the team and managed eight goals and five assists from his 33 outings for the club.
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Rogers will have jumped at the chance to play under the Blackpool boss once again. He will be desperate to get playing some games again and the Tangerines need a lift.
It’s been a pretty miserable season for the club so far. They are third from the bottom of the second tier and will face Forest at Bloomfield Road in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.
Rogers could be called upon to make his debut during that fixture. The 20-year-old will add some pace to the attacking ranks at Blackpool and Forest will need to be mindful of his threat.
Rogers has signed for Blackpool and things could have been different
Had Rogers picked Forest over Bournemouth last season he might have felt as though he played more of a part in a team that won promotion. As it goes, he went to Bournemouth and barely played at all.
Now, he has to rediscover himself a little bit. He’s not played football for a while and heading out to rejoin a team managed by Appleton will certainly help his development.
Forest will have to be wary of the threat he can possess on Saturday. With Wolves to come in the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup next Wednesday, a rotated Reds side could be on display at Blackpool.
Whoever does start for the Reds, will have to watch Rogers. He has the quality to produce whenever he’s called upon and it will be hoped he doesn’t return to haunt Forest.