ALEX Baptiste has blamed the fact he was regularly played out of position for Wanderers last season as the reason his time at the club “didn’t work.”

The 28-year-old, who was signed on a free transfer from Blackpool last summer, joined Blackburn Rovers on a season-long loan deal yesterday.

He played 43 times under Dougie Freedman last season but was required to play on the left side of defence after Marc Tierney broke his leg in late September last year.

Baptiste considers himself to be a centre-half but said he was also comfortable at right back, and he believes Dougie Freedman’s decision to play him on the left was a major contributing factor to him failing to produce his best football for the Whites.

Asked whether it has “worked out” at Bolton, the defender told Blackburn’s official website: “Definitely not. I’m an honest lad and for one reason or another it just didn’t work.

“It went so well at Blackpool and everywhere else in my career I’ve done okay but for some reason it just didn’t work (at Bolton).

“Playing out of position a lot – I’m not a left back, I’ll openly admit that – but like I said, this is a fresh start and I’m really looking forward to it.”

The move had been mooted for some time – but Baptiste admits the speed at which it went through came as a surprise.

“It has been hectic to say the least," he said. “I played last night for Bolton in a pre-season friendly and the manager took me to one side and told me Blackburn want me.

“I’ve been very close before (to signing for Blackburn). At one point I was actually on the motorway and heading here. But it didn’t happen.

“There has always been a possibility. My cousin supports Blackburn and he was the first one to text me. Hopefully I can do alright for him.”