On the day he arrived at Bloomfield Road, the 21-year-old attacker was looking forward to a reunion with Michael Appleton, his manager during a previous loan spell at Lincoln and an enthusiastic exponent of expansive football.
Appleton’s philosophy certainly curried favour with Guardiola. Sadly, it was equally popular with opposition forwards and a bleak run of one win in 11 matches proved fatal to the former Preston and West Brom midfielder.
Rogers played just 84 minutes before Appleton was dismissed on January 18, and within days found himself under the direction of a very different Michael with very different ideas.
“A bit unexpected,” is how Rogers describes his conversion from flamboyant winger to target man, yet he is far from unhappy about being forced to battle and brawl for Big Mick’s mortars.
On the one hand, it provided an on-the-job education in the sort of vocational skills often snubbed at the elite end of the game.
“It goes without saying that Mick had a completely different style which wasn’t necessarily suited to me,” explains Rogers, whose robust 6ft 4ins physique certainly suited McCarthy.
“I’ve always liked to get on the ball, operate from a bit deeper and try to make things happen. At Blackpool my job was to stay forward, hold it up and get the team up the pitch.
“It’s a different kind of role, and not one I’d probably choose. But you know what? I thoroughly enjoyed it. I learned so much about my game that I needed to improve.
“It wasn’t things like scoring goals and creating chances. It was more about the defensive side of the game, about competing and using my body - little things like that which can help you anywhere on the pitch.
Denne historien er fra August 06, 2023-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
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Denne historien er fra August 06, 2023-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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LUKE BOOSTED BY WALES ACE LIAM
Swans bid to mark new era in style...
MATT'S DELIGHT OVER RECORD
WYCOMBE boss Wanderers Matt Bloomfield hailed his history-makers after victory at Lincoln City.
TON-UP IAN ENJOYS HIS SPECIAL WIN
AN Evatt described his 100th win as Bolton boss as very special, although he needed Aaron Collins' injurytime goal to bring up the three figures.
DONS LACK A CLINICAL EDGE AS SADDLERS GRAB POINTS
NATHAN Lowe's strike inspired promotion-chasing Walsall to victory over AFC Wimbledon at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
SUB GRIMES IS IN-SPIRED TO HEAD THE WINNER
CAPTAIN Jamie Grimes headed in a late winner for Chesterfield after a game of very few chances appeared destined to remain goalless.`
COBBLERS TEST IN TROPHY FOR POSH
HOLDERS Peterborough United have been drawn against fellow League One side Northampton Town in the Round of 32 of the newly-named Vertu Trophy.
HORNETS REMINDED OF GRAY'S BRILLIANCE
WAYNE Rooney expressed his delight as Plymouth extended their unbeaten league home run to six after Andre Gray's last-gasp leveller.
MARTI DOUBTING JOB AFTER DRAW
Rangers home run continues
BIG MAC'S ON TARGET TO SEE OFF THE TIGERS
LUTON boss Rob Edwards felt it was a very good day at the office as his team turned in a gritty performance to beat Hull.
Rohl confident Owls
DANNY Rohl said getting results is the only thing missing as his Owls were held at home by Cardiff.