Super Eagles defender Ryan Alebiosu has disclosed that regaining match fitness and getting valuable playing time were the main positives following Blackburn Rovers’s 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest in a preseason friendly.

In a chat with Rovers TV, the Nigerian international noted that matching up against high-caliber Premier League and European-level players like Morgan Gibbs-White showed the squad the exact intensity and concentration needed.

Read Also:‘It Feels Good’ — Awoniyi Delighted With Forest’s Pre-Season Victory Over Blackburn

Building Sharpness

He emphasized that despite the scoreline, competing hard during the first 45 minutes and large spells of the game motivated the group to believe they could raise their standard and achieve strong things in the new season.

“It felt good to get 60 minutes in my legs and to get the rust out”, the Super Eagles defender said.

“It was a good run-around to keep the fitness up and it was a good 60 minutes for the boys, which will stand us in good stead for the season to come.

“The most important thing was the fitness. After a long break, coming back in, some of us have been ill, so getting those minutes in the legs, in this heat as well, was good for us.

“Respect to Nottingham Forest, they’re a big team, Premier League and they played in Europe last season as well, so it was always going to be a good battle.

Read Also:Premier League Club Lead Race To Sign Femi Azeez

“The boys wanted to prove that they can play at this, play against these kind of opponents and I think the boys did well.

“Playing against the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White, these kind of players, it’s something to learn from, seeing the way they play. It’s motivational for a lot of us to be honest.

“As a group, playing against these boys, even in the first 45 when we created chances, it motivated everyone to think, ‘You know what, maybe we can play at this level, maybe we can do things this season,’ so it was good motivation”, he concluded.