GARY Bowyer admits that Saturday’s second half rescue act at Rochdale has given him real food for thought as he formulates his team for the opening game of the season on August 4.
Rovers are now less than a fortnight away from their first match of the Championship campaign at Derby and had to rely on their substitutes to come from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 against League Two opposition at the weekend.
DJ Campbell and Morten Gamst Pedersen both netted after a poor display by Rovers’ starting 11 at Spotland, and Bowyer says those who came on as substitutes have now advanced their claims for starting spots on August 4.
“Every time you cross the white line it’s your chance to put a case forward, and some certainly did on Saturday,” he said.
“In the first half we were poor. We had a chat with the players after the game and it doesn’t need me to re-emphasise it, I think the only thing we had to show for the first half was a great free kick from Alan Judge and a good cross from Josh Morris and a header from Jordan (Rhodes).
“Apart from that we looked off the pace and tired a little bit. We were disappointed with how we went about the game.
“Once we made the substitutions I thought Matt Kilgallon came on and did ever so well at left back, not out of position but he’s more a natural centre half.
“Then I thought Josh King and DJ Campbell especially were very good and changed the game for us.”
Rovers travel to Preston for their latest pre-season game tomorrow at 7.45pm and Bowyer says they must improve their performance levels as they prepare for the start of the Championship season.
“You have to try to take the positives out of it and the positive is we have now learned that we cannot now just turn up and expect to play,” he said.
“Also the positive was DJ Campbell was excellent and his goal was great, and it was a fabulous free kick from Morten at the end.
“People are getting their opportunities now to state a case for the starting 11.
“We’re two weeks away and we need to sharply improve now.”
Bowyer is still continuing attempts to add to his squad, although Monaco midfielder Gary Coulibaly has departed after linking up for training last week.
The Rovers boss confirmed an interest in UAE midfielder Amer Abdulrahman, who could arrive on trial.
But he stressed that claims by the 24-year-old’s club Bani Yas that a season-long loan deal had been agreed were wide of the mark.
Bani Yas deputy chairman Mubarak Awad had said: “He is not for sale but we will send him out on loan.
“He will go next week and train with them and after that stay for the season.”
But Bowyer said: “I don’t know where they get the season-long loan from.
“If the player was someone we would be interested in, we’re not just going to take somebody on a season-long loan straight away.
“We would always make sure we’ve had a look at them like we did last week with the French boy Coulibaly.”
Asked if Abdulrahman will arrive on trial, he added: “I don’t know, he’s another name that’s on the list.”
Edinho Junior is due to complete a switch to Conference South new boys Whitehawk on a month’s loan, although Benfica have reportedly decided against a permanent move for Diogo Rosado after a loan spell last season.
Livorno are pursuing their interest in Gael Givet, with reports in Italy suggesting the Serie A side want the defender to have a medical today before making the switch.
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