“My role is kind of to make a difference”: Josh Bowler happy to have helped Blackpool progress in FA Cup
Blackpool wide man’s introduction sparked their recovery in Saturday’s FA Cup tie.
Josh Bowler believes he made the right impression when helping Blackpool avoid an early FA Cup exit last weekend, writes IVAN SPECK.
Ian Evatt’s players had trailed 1-0 to Hornchurch at half-time in their first round tie before Bowler came on for Jordan Williams at the break.
He terrified a Hornchurch rearguard that had been alarmingly comfortable in the opening 45 minutes.
There was an assist for Jordan Brown’s equaliser, a role in Henry Sandat’s extra-time red card - when he was dismissed for pulling back Bowler when he was through on goal - and he scored the winner two minutes from the end.
Bowler said: “My role is kind of to make a difference.
“I knew that I’d have to come on and make an impact. I think I did that.
“I just needed to be positive, which I was, and cause havoc.
“In the first half we were just a bit too tense and not getting it down and playing.
“The gaffer said the right thing at half-time and calmed us all down.
“In the second half we came out and did our job much better.”
Evatt was especially appreciative of Bowler’s efforts in helping the Seasiders to avoid becoming another EFL team defeated by non-league opposition.
The Bloomfield Road boss added: “Josh is an exciting player and gets bums off seats.
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“People are here to be entertained and Josh certainly does that.
“With the type of player that Josh is, we speak to him a lot about, yes, it’s exciting and it's great to watch, but what's at the end of it?
“We need numbers, we need assists, we need goals, because that’s what people will judge you on.
“Today he came on, got the man sent off and changed the game for us in the right direction which is important.”