Manager Gary Bowyer has given his thoughts on Blackpool’s victory over Newport County at the weekend, and he knew that Sam Slocombe’s penalty stop in the match had been crucial to us taking charge.
Welcoming the side to Bloomfield Road, Blackpool took the four one victory on the day with goals coming from Brad Potts, Jack Payne, Kyle Vassell and Kelvin Mellor – but of course with the game balanced one all, Slocombe pulled off the stop from 12 yards and Bowyer knew how important that had been for reigniting spirits in the match.
Speaking to the Official Site in his post game press interviews, a pleased gaffer explained.
‘Immense character and spirit from the group. The fitness levels were tremendous and we finished really, really strongly. We ran ourselves into the ground and I’m delighted that we’ve been as clinical as we have been in front of goal again.’
As for the penalty stop itself, Bowyer knew it wasn’t just Slocombe who deserved praise, it was the goalkeeping unit at the club for the work they all do in preparation for games.
‘The save from Sam has been massive because it’s really lifted everybody and the intensity just went up from there. We then went on and won the game. lot of work goes into it (penalty research) from Adam, the analyst, and Timmo, the goalkeeping coach, because they study it and prepare it and that’s proved valuable to us today.’
With Payne getting on the scoresheet, it was a case of ‘about time’ from Bowyer’s perspective given his talents.
‘It’s about time as well from him. We’ve been saying that to him, that we want goals from him, and we’re delighted that he’s done that today.’
There was also praise for Vassell once more.
‘We were disappointed that he couldn’t make Tuesday but the reaction from him today was immense and his goal was a great bit of centre-forward play, showing great strength to hold the defender off and then a wonderful finish.’
As for an injury update with Colin Daniel and Kelvin Mellor suffering injuries, Bowyer went on to add.
‘Colin’s was the classic sniper in the stand, I’m afraid. That looks like a hamstring and obviously he’s going to be missing for a couple of weeks with that. Hopefully he can come back because he’s been in great form for us recently so the timing of that’s not great. Kelvin is a bang to the knee but we’re hopeful that it won’t be as serious as what it looked, with him being carried off on a stretcher. The lad’s desperate to try and get fit for Saturday.’
Having praised Payne for his goal, the midfielder was also interviewed by the official site following the game, and he echoed the gaffer’s thoughts about the penalty stop lifting everybody’s spirits in the game.
‘That gave everyone the lift we needed because we`d started to get into it and gave a penalty away. Then we nearly scored on the counter so it gave everyone a lift. When we get going it`s hard to stop us. We`re so strong and powerful so when we get going not many teams can stop us. Our home form is going to be so important this year and if we keep doing this teams won`t be able to live with us here.’
As for his goal, his first for Blackpool, he went on to say.
‘I don`t score many so it was nice to get one and hopefully there`s a few more to come. I adjusted my feet a little bit and I didn`t have to move too much. I just had to get it on target that side and thankfully it went in.’
