Nathan rides to Rovers’ rescue from the bench
BLACKBURN boss Gary Bowyer lauded the impact of new striker Nathan Delfouneso after his summer signing rescued a point against Huddersfield.
Delfouneso cancelled out Nahki Wells’ emphatic opener as the spoils were shared to give both sides their first point of the season.
And Bowyer spoke warmly of his bench’s contribution, after Delfouneso was assisted by fellow substitute and new signing Bangaly-Fode Koita.
“Nathan’s certainly settled in very well for us. He had an impact on the goal against Wolves and he scored the other night against Shrewsbury,” said Bowyer.“When he’s come off the bench, he’s responded in the best possible fashion.
“It’s two in three games now for him and that’s only going to give him more and more confidence as a striker.
“When you’ve got personnel that we’ve got on the bench then you’ve got the ability to change it and I thought we did ever so well with the changes.”
Terriers skipper Mark Hudson nearly gave Huddersfield a ninthminute lead after meeting Jason Davidson’s corner at the far post only for Rovers to clear their lines.
But the home side took the lead moments later after Sean Scannell’s run and cross found Ishmael Miller and, though David Raya saved superbly,Wells smashed home the rebound.
Rovers hotshot Jordan Rhodes nearly reminded former employers Huddersfield of his qualities after latching onto a 35th-minute chipped through-ball, but Joe Murphy was equal to his effort.
Blackburn drew level on the hour after Ben Marshall’s cross was headed down by Koita to Delfouneso, who slotted calmly past Murphy.
Spanish stopper Raya was then called upon to save Rovers twice in a matter of seconds.
He first parried Jacob Butterfield’s long distance 67th-minute effort into Scannell’s path before diving brilliantly to deny the winger, with Adam Henley ensuring the loose ball did not trickle in.
Huddersfield boss Chris Powell confirmed that there has been ‘interest’ from another club in goalkeeper Alex Smithies, but added that a ‘lack of concentration’ led to Blackburn’s goal.
“I got the response that I wanted from the players with the start we made. It was full of intent and character, we were on the front foot and it was the start we wanted,” he said.
“We came up against a keeper who made some good saves, even before Nahki’s goal he made a superb save.”