Blackburn Rovers manager Tony Mowbray has said that midfielder Corry Evans still has a part to play in his plans despite not featuring in any of Rovers’ games so far this season.
Competition is rife for a place in Tony Mowbray’s midfield at the moment. In the early stages of the season, summer signing Bradley Johnson and youngster Lewis Travis have been favoured at Blackburn Rovers’ starting 11, with academy graduate John Buckley making four substitute appearances in the Championship so far as well.
As a result of Travis’ and Johnson’s continued inclusion, the likes of Richie Smallwood and Corry Evans have fallen down the pecking order somewhat. Smallwood has played no Championship games so far this season, with his only two appearances coming in the EFL Cup. Evans too has found his only game time has come in the cup.
Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph, Mowbray has now said that despite his lack of game time, Corry Evans still remains in his plans, also going on to praise Johnson and Travis for their starts to the season. He said:
“As I’ve said to Corry, he’s very much in our plans. I can only pick so many players. Travis has warranted his place for his athletic performances and his desire to win the ball. I think Bradley Johnson has been one of our best players this year, strong, powerful, simplistic with his passing. He looks like he can break the box and score a goal.
“Unless I’m going to change the whole system to get Corry in, then he’s going to have to be patient. As footballers do, they go in and out of form. I took Bradley Johnson off at half-time against West Brom because I didn’t think he was particularly good in the first half.
“Corry has to keep training really hard and then when his chance comes he has to be the best player if he can and stay in the team if he can and make me think about someone else’s position.
“As I’ve always said, they have to compete to get in the team. I genuinely don’t have favourites. I pick them on their work ethic, their talent, yes on the back of performance levels, and that’s how it has to be.”
