Neil Lennon believes 50 points should be enough to ensure that Bolton Wanderers remain in the Championship for next season.
Wanderers are 10 points clear of relegation but Lennon knows how quickly the league table can change and wants a minimum of five points from the remaining seven games.
The Trotters host rock-bottom Blackpool on Saturday before a tough trip to mid-table Cardiff two days later on Easter Monday, and Lennon knows his side must improve.
“With the way our home and away form has been, it is important we focus on Blackpool first,” he said. “50 points should be enough for safety.
“I want to maintain our home form. It has been very good so far and I think the fans deserve it to continue.
“However, we also need to find a balance between our home form and our away form. We definitely need to improve away from home.
“Late goals have cost us nine points. If we had played a minute less in each game then we’d be sitting tenth. “
As it is, Wanderers currently occupy 17th position with 45 points, although they could be down to 18th by the time they kick-off on Saturday.
They will welcome back some of their international star’s after the week’s break, including Scotland’s Barry Bannan, Guyana debutant Neil Danns and Eidur Gudjohnsen.
Bannan played 15 minutes in Scotland’s 6-1 win over Gibraltar and made a big impact, being involved in one goal and setting up another.
Meanwhile, Iceland’s record goalscorer Gudjohnsen marked his first international appearance since November 2013 with his 25th international goal, his first for five-and-a-half years.
Lennon admitted that he was delighted when he heard the news of the veteran striker’s successful return to the international scene.
“I had a big smile on my face when the news came through about Eidur scoring. It’s a fantastic story,” the Northern Irishman said.
Saturday’s opponents Blackpool could have their relegation to League One confirmed this weekend if other results go against them, and the Seasiders have not won away from home all season.
However, Lennon is wary of the threat that Lee Clark’s side could still pose to Bolton, despite Wanderers having lost just twice at home since the Northern Irishman’s arrival.
“You’d expect Blackpool to put up a fight,” he said. “It’s been difficult season for them, but Lee Clark has had an impossible job.
“I can’t second-guess what they are going to do. We just need to focus on ourselves.”
Image courtesy of Official BWFC via YouTube, with thanks.
