It’s been a somewhat chaotic season for Nottingham Forest man Josh Bowler. He signed for Forest from Blackpool in August but was immediately loaned to Olympiacos and then re-joined the Tangerines during the January transfer window.
His return to Blackpool hasn’t helped the team climb the Championship table at all. He’s found the going tough and it sounded as though Saturday’s defeat at Reading provided Bowler with another tough afternoon.
Bowler signed for Forest for around £2 million in August. Some supporters were keen to see him become part of the squad this season but the club felt as though his development would be better served out on loan.
The 23-year-old has helped Blackpool win just one game since he returned to the club. Now, the Tangerines are starring down the barrel of relegation back to League One after just a couple of seasons in the second tier.
On Saturday, Bowler played the full 90 minutes but he struggled with one aspect of his game. The Blackpool Gazette claimed: “Blackpool’s only attacking threat at times and he did cause problems with his runs, but his end product was poor.
Bowler does have some time on his side. Blackpool need points quickly though and he will hope to start weighing in with goals and assists once again in the coming weeks.
Bowler in midst of chaotic season but Forest man will bounce back
The talented winger was expected to give Blackpool a real lift. In hindsight, the club might be seriously regretting replacing Michael Appleton with Mick McCarthy shortly after Bowler arrived.
It will be interesting to see what happens with Bowler next season. If Forest remain in the Premier League then the club may consider loaning him out once again to continue his development.
The fact that he’s hardly played at Olympiacos is clearly costing him right now. He was brilliant for Blackpool last season and it would appear that he’s not quite regained his match sharpness.
Blackpool have 12 games to save their season. They’re four points adrift of safety and they’d love for Bowler to find his very best form between now and the end of the campaign.