Nottingham Forest-owned Josh Bowler helped Blackpool claim a huge win over relegation rivals Wigan at the weekend. Stephen Dobbie’s troops won the game 1-0 at Bloomfield Road and they live to fight another day.
Relegation still looks set to be confirmed for the Tangerines this season. That will likely see Bowler return to Forest in the summer, where he will hope to impress ahead of next season.
The 24-year-old has endured a pretty strange campaign. He was signed by the Reds on the transfer deadline in August but immediately went out on loan to Olympiacos.
His game time was severely restricted in Greece. Michel didn’t really fancy him and subsequently, he returned to Forest during the January transfer window to search for another loan.
Blackpool were very keen to sign him for the remainder of the campaign. They landed him but he’s managed just two goals during the second half of 2022/23 and the Tangerines are staring down the barrel.
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On Saturday, Bowler started in Dobbie’s team. He was criticised for one aspect of his game by the Blackpool Gazette, who wrote: “Had a couple of attempts at goal but seems to be snatching at things at the moment. Largely quiet.”
Forest-owned Bowler helps Blackpool to huge win
Jerry Yates is another player who was linked to Forest in the past. On Saturday, he was the man who scored Blackpool’s winning goal, poking home after just two minutes.
Blackpool still look like they will be getting relegated, however. As a result, their prospects of keeping Bowler do look to be slim, with Forest preparing to welcome him back to their ranks.
If Forest are relegated, the Reds could seriously welcome Bowler back into their ranks. At 24, he fits the ethos of a player that can only improve and he knows how to perform in the Championship.
Bowler is exciting and tricky. He loves to beat defenders and with a good pre-season, he could regain his confidence and become a force in the Garibaldi during 2023/24.