Bowyer challenges Blackpool to back up Dale win

His side head to Oxford United this weekend looking for their first back-to-back wins since September.

The last time they achieved that feat, Oxford were the opponents when they were beaten 3-1 at Bloomfield Road – four days on from Pool’s 3-1 win at Plymouth Argyle.

Blackpool won for the first time in nine attempts at Rochdale to kick off the new year with a win.

But Bowyer doesn’t want his players to rest on their laurels and has called for them to back up that 2-1 victory with another one in Oxfordshire on Saturday.

“The important thing for us now is to back that win up at Rochdale with another one against a very good Oxford team,” he said.

“We’ve got to go there full of confidence because of how we’ve performed on our last couple of away trips and build on that.

“We know what it will be but it’s about us building on that win at Rochdale.

“We’ve got to go there and try and get in the game as soon as possible and try and put them on the back foot.

“We are two good footballing teams so I’m expecting a good game of football.

“Hopefully the conditions are slightly better than what they were at Rochdale on New Year’s Day and then we can get that good game of football.”

The Seasiders beat Oxford 3-1 at Bloomfield Road back in September when Bowyer’s side were in the midst of their early season form.

Despite being a comfortable home win on that occasion, Bowyer is under no illusions to how tough it will be this weekend.

“Earlier in the season when we beat them 3-1, we were very good and scored three outstanding goals,” he said.

“But you saw second half what a good team they are.

“You look at the quality they’ve got in their squad and I’m sure they will be another side who will invest in January and strengthen even further.”