Neil Lennon has urged his Bolton players to follow his example and show calmness under pressure when they face Bristol City in a crunch clash tomorrow.
Saturday’s visitors to the Macron lie 21st, one place ahead of Wanderers, and whilst a win would narrow the gap to one point, defeat would leave Bolton in a desperate situation.
And whilst the beleaguered boss was under no illusions as to the importance of securing their first win in 10 games, he has called for his side to display professionalism and composure in front of their home fans, which has so far been lacking.
“It’s difficult when you have the volume of games that we have, because you want to work on things as a team, because you’re worried about fatigue, and recovery, and injury,” Lennon said.
“They have to practice their finishing, practice their crossing, practice their final ball, but it’s very difficult to replicate that feeling on the pitch.
“It’s then having the moral courage to do that in the big moments in the games.
“It’ll come, and I hope I’m around to see it, because it’s a results-driven business.
“I’m calm, I’m not panicking, and I’m just very frustrated because I know I can get more out of the players.
“They have to go and play for their own professional pride, for their club, and for themselves, and play for the group that we have.”
A two-week break follows tomorrow’s game, something welcomed by Lennon, who is still waiting for the elusive sight of a fully-fit squad.
Mark Davies and Shola Ameobi should return from injury tomorrow, giving Wanderers a chance of adding to a tally of 10 goals – the worst in the division – but Lennon revealed he is still looking to add to his squad.
“We can’t buy players, but we have got the money to maybe bring a loan or two in.
“We’re working within a certain wage bracket, so it’s trying to find a player in those parameters who can suit us.
“I’ve said all season I don’t know how much we have to spend – you’re asking the wrong person really.
“It comes down to other things, too, whether the move for him will be beneficial, whether the club think it will be beneficial, whether there’ll be a loan fee involved or an agent’s fee.
“We’ve been close to signing players before, and it’s broken down over all kinds of different aspects.”
Image courtesy of BWFC via YouTube, with thanks.
