Neil Lennon has admitted some of the doubts brought about by last week’s surrender at Huddersfield have been erased by Bolton’s comeback at home to Brighton.
At 2-0 down, Wanderers were staring at a fourth defeat of the season, but goals from Neil Danns and a stoppage-time equaliser from Gary Madine rescued an impressive point against the league leaders.
And whilst Lennon admits he is frustrated by his side’s inability to replicate that every week, he couldn’t have been happier with his side’s second-half performance.
“There are times where you come away, like last week, and you doubt yourself, you doubt have you got the right mentality?
“Then you see it in abundance out there today, and it drives you mental, because they’ve got it – I keep saying it; we’re not that far away from being a very good team in this division.
“The character the team’s shown – that’s something that’s labelled at them that they don’t have, they fought for everything today, and got what they deserved.
“They’re trying to play the right way.
“They’re honest, but we’ve got to stop the basic mistakes, because we’re sometimes the architects of our own downfall, but we’ve dug out a brilliant result in the end.
“I wouldn’t say it feels like a win, but it feels certainly like a well-deserved point, and the fans appreciate that.”
After issuing a vote of confidence to Madine before the game, Lennon was visibly delighted to see the striker record his first goal since his summer move from Sheffield Wednesday, haring off down the touchline following the 94th minute header.
The previously luckless centre-forward has struggled for confidence and form, but the Wanderers’ boss believes his vital goal was just rewards for some good all-round performances.
“For Gary to score a wonderful goal, that’s very pleasing.
“Up until a couple of weeks ago he was playing brilliantly and not getting the goals he deserved.
“His header’s fantastic.
“He’s rose early and planted a great header, and it’s the least he deserved.
“If you’re giving everything for the team, that’s all we’re asking for, because he’s got the talent.
“He’s shown it all today and he’s capped it off with a fine goal, and he should go home tonight feeling pretty happy with himself.”
Image courtesy of Bolton Wanderers FC via YouTube, with thanks.
