Following a plethora of arrivals at Ewood Park, Rovers have announced a second temporary departure, which comes in the form of Sam Hart returning to Rochdale, on a season-long loan.
The 21-year old left-back, who has seen his opportunities at Ewood Park limited, has returned to Spotland, after spending the second-half of the 2017-18 season, on loan there, as he helped Keith Hill’s side steer away from relegation into the 4th tier.
Despite making 3 appearances for his parent club last season, both Tony Mowbray and Hart himself, clearly feel that the full-back’s development would suit playing regular first-team football, rather than remaining as back-up to a potential injury, or suspension that may never arise.
Although Hart spent 4 months at Rochdale, he was mainly used as cover during his time at Spotland, however with Hart joining Dale with the season still in it’s infancy, there is no doubt that, the Horwich-born full-back will get the game time his development needs, over the 41 games that still remain in the league. Additionally, Dale fans would probably be delighted after hearing this news, due to their makeshift full-back, Matt Done, actually being a midfielder, which would naturally mean, that this move would allow Hart to take his place, whilst Done would return to his more natural position in the centre of the park.
After sealing the move, Hart spoke to his new clubs’ media team, as he expressed his excitement regarding the move.
“I’m delighted. I’ve got a bond with everyone here, so I’m excited to be back. I know the lads, the manager and all the staff, so it shouldn’t be difficult for me to settle in. The team are in a different situation, this season, with the threat of relegation not being so pressing, so hopefully I can help the lads finish in a better position than we ended last campaign.
“I’ve been in contact with the manager, the whole window. He wanted to get me in earlier, but circumstances at Blackburn didn’t allow the move to go through until now. Regardless, I’m just happy to be here and happy to play under him (Keith Hill) again.
“I need match experience, which is something that I believe I’m going to get here.”
From Rovers’ perspective, loaning out Hart was a good move, due to the fact that both, Derrick Williams and Amari’i Bell are ahead of the 21-year old in the pecking order. Additionally, if both were to be unavailable for whatever reason, Mowbray could potentially call upon the likes of Paul Caddis, Ryan Nyambe, Lewis Travis or Joe Grayson – the latter of which made his debut in the Carabao Cup 2nd round against Lincoln on Tuesday – in order to fill the gap, with all 4 players having experience in playing in the left-back role.
With such depth in the full-back areas, this loan deal for Hart is positive for all parties, as the players gets the game-time he craves, whilst the club, in-return, received a more experienced player, by the time he returns.
