Alebiosu targets fitness gains as Blackburn thumped by Forest in pre-season test

Ryan Alebiosu says Blackburn Rovers’ heavy pre-season defeat by Nottingham Forest was most valuable for the minutes it put in players’ legs, despite a 3-0 loss that extended their winless start to the summer schedule.

The Super Eagles defender played 62 minutes in Wednesday’s friendly as Blackburn were comfortably beaten by Premier League opposition, leaving the Championship side without a victory from their opening two warm-up games.

Brazilian forward Igor Jesus opened the scoring for Nottingham Forest in the first half, before French striker Arnaud Kalimuendo doubled the lead after the interval. Fellow Nigeria international Taiwo Awoniyi then came on at half-time and struck Forest’s third in the second period to complete a convincing win for the Reds.

For Blackburn, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, the scoreline underlined the gap to top-flight opposition, but Alebiosu insisted the physical workout was the key takeaway.

Fitness the ‘most important thing’

Speaking to RoversTV after the match, the 24-year-old said the game’s primary value was helping the squad shake off the effects of the off-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.”

Alebiosu started at Ewood Park and was withdrawn just after the hour mark as manager and staff continue to build up his match sharpness ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. His appearance came amid ongoing speculation over his long-term future at the club, following a difficult season in which Blackburn only just stayed in the Championship.

Learning from Premier League quality

Alebiosu also highlighted the standard of opposition as a positive reference point for Blackburn’s players, who are aiming to compete at the top end of the second tier after last year’s struggles.

“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,” the 24-year-old added.

“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.

Winless start to pre-season

Blackburn’s defeat followed a goalless draw against Accrington Stanley in their opening pre-season fixture, leaving them without a win from two games as preparations for the new campaign continue.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his situation at the club, Alebiosu will be hoping to build on his latest outing when Blackburn Rovers face French side Strasbourg in their next pre-season match on Saturday, as he looks to cement both his fitness and his place in the side ahead of the new season.