Manager Neil Lennon says Bolton Wanderers’ target for the remainder of the Championship season is to stay unbeaten ahead of the Lancashire derby with Blackburn Rovers.
The Trotters travel to Ewood Park tonight for their first league game since they conceded an injury-time equaliser to draw 1-1 with Reading last Tuesday.
The Northern Irishman has targeted a win to kick-start a late run of form as his side look to pull further up the table with 11 games left.
“Our plan for the rest of the season is to try to stay unbeaten and finish strongly, then we can reassess and build for next year,” said Lennon.
“Results went for us at the weekend so we have to capitalise on that. We’ve got to go and compete – I want us to play better away from home.
“We’re looking forward to the game because it’s a local derby with pride at stake and the atmosphere will be good.”
The draw against Reading at the Macron Stadium saw Wanderers forced into three changes before half time after Zach Clough, Kevin McNaughton and David Wheater joined a long injury list.
In the week since, the club has dipped into the loan market to secure the services of Crystal Palace defender Paddy McCarthy and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Giles Coke.
With Coke arriving earlier in the week, former Palace captain McCarthy’s signing was confirmed on Tuesday and Lennon was delighted to be able to reinforce his threadbare squad.
“Under the circumstances I was really pleased with the performance if not the result, but the three injuries were incredible,” he said.
“We’ve had bad luck, I’ve never known anything like it. I’ve got 12 players out and some of them are long-term which is very disappointing.
“Paddy’s a man who’s got leadership qualities. He’s keen to come in and keen to play, and he and Giles Coke will both be in contention for Blackburn.
“They give us a bit of experience which we needed. We’ll see how Paddy is but Giles looked really impressive over the weekend.”
Main image courtesy of BWFC via YouTube, with thanks.
