Blackpool boss warns investment is required

Gary Bowyer says both Blackpool and Doncaster Rovers will require 'significant investment' to compete at the top end of League One.
Ollie Turton scored for Blackpool in their draw at Doncaster Rovers earlier in the seasonOllie Turton scored for Blackpool in their draw at Doncaster Rovers earlier in the season
Ollie Turton scored for Blackpool in their draw at Doncaster Rovers earlier in the season

The two sides, who face each other at Bloomfield Road on Good Friday, are separated by just one point in the League One table - with Blackpool in 14th and Doncaster one place below.

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Both sides will be satisfied avoiding relegation this season having been promoted from League Two last time out, but will no doubt have ambitions to push on in future.

For that to happen, Bowyer believes both clubs will have to splash the cash in what appears a clear message to any potential buyer.

He said: “Both of us have come up, got promoted and have had to compete against teams with unbelievable budgets.

“I think Darren Ferguson has done a wonderful job there.

“Looking ahead, both clubs have got to understand to get to that top level there has to be significant investment.

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“I’m sure Darren is aware of that as well, but he has experience of getting out of this league.

“I’m sure his ambitions will want to push on next season, as is the same for us.”

Blackpool’s Easter weekend double header sees them welcome Doncaster to Bloomfield Road on Friday before making the short trip to Oldham on Monday.

In the reverse game against Doncaster earlier in the season, the two teams played out an entertaining six-goal thriller in their 3-3 draw.

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Bowyer expects a similar type of game on Friday as he believes both sides play the game in the “right way.

“I can’t believe that game was this season, it feels like a lifetime ago,” he added.

“That game probably reflects how the season has gone for both clubs, in terms of scoring some wonderful goals on the one hand, but conceding them wasn’t too great.

“It’s never a dull game when we play Doncaster. We beat them 4-2 when we played them at home last season. We then went to Doncaster and beat them 1-0 when there was the penalty-gate saga.

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“Then there was the wonderful game at their place at the start of this season where it was 3-3.

“So I’m probably putting the kiss of death on Friday’s game.

“But it will certainly be an entertaining game because it’s two teams who like to play the right way and have good footballers in their teams.”

Blackpool striker Rowan Roache played the full 90 minutes of the Republic of Ireland Under-19s 4-0 defeat against Portugal on Tuesday.

It means Ireland have failed to qualify for this summer’s Under-19 European Championships in Finland.