Bowyer takes positives from Blackpool stalemate

Saturday’s goalless stalemate at Bloomfield Road was their second point of the week following Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Barnet.

Although the blustery winds and heavy showers ensured it was never going to be a classic, Bowyer was happy with what he saw.

The Pool manager said: “I thought it was a very hard- fought game against a team that came and battled, and we had to match that battle.

“We just couldn’t quite find a cutting edge but I see signs of progress in terms of being able to compete and match teams full of running.

“I was pleased with the character and you’ve always got to be pleased with a clean sheet.

“It was a scrappy game as a whole, but I was pleased with how we’ve gone about two tough games and impressed with how we competed.

“We’re going to have games like that over the course of the season, when we have to stand up to the fight, be competitive and, if we aren’t good enough to win the game, then keep a clean sheet. That’s the positive for us – the clean sheet.”

“Full credit to Gareth Ainsworth (Wycombe manager) – he’s been there and he has a style of play.

“They stick to it, they do ever so well and they cause teams problems.”

They certainly caused the Seasiders problems in the first half, with keeper Sam Slocombe called into action to make a couple of relatively routine saves from former Pool midfielder Marcus Bean and Joe Jacobson.

But the Seasiders number one couldn’t do anything about Michael Harriman’s effort, which struck the underside of the bar and bounced away.

At the other end, Brad Potts headed Pool’s best first-half opportunity off-target from inside the six-yard box nine minutes before the break.

However, Pool got stronger as the game progressed and forced Wanderers keeper Jamal Blackman into late saves to thwart Mark Cullen and Jim McAlister.

Bowyer said of Potts’ header: “I thought the keeper got a hand to it. We didn’t get a corner but we didn’t get a lot of things.

“There were balls flashing across their box in the second half and we have lots to work on in that position.

“If you look at the overall game and who was the busier keeper, I think their lad has had to make more saves than Sam.”