Josh Bowler looking to recreate 'best' Blackpool form at Preston North End and earn permanent move

If Josh Bowler’s first performance in a Preston North End shirt is as sharp as his press conference, then the Deepdale faithful will be impressed.

The 25-year-old’s loan move from Nottingham Forest, on transfer deadline day, understandably gained plenty of traction - due to his Bloomfield Road past. Bowler was a star player for PNE’s arch-rivals, whom he left in 2022 and rejoined on loan in January 2023. Now, he is the number 40 at North End, and knows the fans will soon take to him if he find his peak form again.

“Yeah, obviously the best football I played was for Blackpool,” said Bowler. “It suited me well... the coach was good and I felt confident. I get that feeling here as well, the gaffer just makes me feel confident and in training these last few weeks, the players have made me feel at home already. I am desperate to recreate that form and even step it up, because I know I’ve got more in me. I know I can get more goals and assists in the right team, and I feel like that is here.”

Bowler added: “I can’t lie. I had a great time at Blackpool and felt loved there. I have only got good things to say, but that doesn’t change anything now. I am coming in here and giving my all for Preston. I want to make every Preston fan fall in love with me as well and show them what I can do. I want to really light up the pitch and do everything I can to push them up the table.”

As for Paul Heckingbottom, the PNE boss was a huge factor in Bowler choosing to make the move. The winger was gutted not to play against Oxford United, though he enjoyed being in and around the squad and felt there were still positives in the performance. The last fortnight has allowed him to get on the training pitch and Bowler has liked what he’s seen from the manager.

“He is great, really good,” said Bowler. “Nothing against any of the clubs I’ve been at before, or how it has been - all the experiences have been great - but the intensity and level of training, and detail he puts into his sessions, is really good. It’s like nothing I have experienced before. He really tries to get his point across in every drill and it’s all to a high standard, which is massively important for transferring that to a Saturday. It’s only been a few weeks, but the things he said before I joined, and the drills he’s putting on, are top drawer. I am looking forward to learning more from him this season.”

Bowler added: “It’s a great group. There are no egos, which is rare in football now. It’s massive, because everyone gets along, there are no separate groups and you can tell it’s a good group. I think that transcends into the football, as you’ve seen over the last few years. Obviously, the gaffer is bringing in a different style of play - more positive and exciting. But, what you can see over the years is a really strong group, that sticks together and works hard. You can tell there are a lot of personalities in there.”

It’s a season-long loan move for Bowler and, as reported by the Lancashire Post, PNE will have the option-to-buy him, for an already agreed fee. The 25-year-old has not played for Forest, but has no regrets about making that move at the time. This time next summer, Bowler admits he’d like to sign for a club permanently - and the winger seems keen for that to be Preston.

“Yeah, it’s always nice to have a settled home in any job you are in,” said Bowler. “It is obviously not easy having all your stuff in the car, moving around and not knowing where you are going to be. But, it is football. I have known, since I was a kid, that moving about and not knowing your future is a big part of it. So, it would be nice to settle down. But, with that, I’ve got to have a good season and prove to people I can perform at a high level consistently, to make people want me.”