Manager Neil Lennon has warned his Bolton Wanderers players to keep focused on the upcoming Championship games before the club’s glamour FA Cup tie at Liverpool on January 24.
Bolton received one of the draws of round four of the cup when they were picked to challenge the Reds at Anfield, but Lennon is refusing to get lost in the FA Cup dream.
After losing 2-1 to Huddersfield last time out in the Championship, the Northern Irishman knows Wanderers need to kick on at home to Leeds United on Saturday.
“Everyone’s looking forward to Liverpool but the players’ focus must be on the next two games,” stressed the former Celtic man.
“Everything in the garden seems rosy but the loss to Huddersfield leaves us six points off the bottom three.
“We’re still looking at a play-off place so it’s important we win the next two games. Leeds is a big game – we’re at home and the home advantage is obviously important.
“However, they’ve got a good manager now who knows the club and the players inside out [former Trotter and three-time Leeds caretaker boss Neil Redfearn], and that will be dangerous.
“Leeds are a huge club but and I think they’re in a transitional period at the moment. What they will bring is a huge support, so the atmosphere will be red-hot.”
Bolton come into the clash with the former giants of English football having not lost at the Macron Stadium since the 1-2 reverse to Bournemouth on October 4.
Goalkeeper Andy Lonergan’s fine recent displays have also been rewarded with a nomination for December’s Championship player of the month after keeping three clean sheets in five games.
“Lonners deserved his nomination,” he said. “He’s been fantastic and I think he’s one of the best goalkeepers in the Championship. It’s quite right he’s in contention.”
This week also saw 19-year-old Zach Clough, Bolton’s match-winner in the FA Cup third-round tie with Wigan Athletic, sign a new long-term contract at the club.
Lennon reserved his greatest praise for the midfielder and for the overall quality of the club’s academy system.
“I think Zach Clough’s new deal had been in the pipeline for a while, and after the weekend it’s great he’s signed on to a longer-term deal,” said Lennon.
“He’s a talent, and obviously we have to manage that talent in the right way. He’s had a lot of plaudits this week, it’s been a bit of a whirlwind for him.
“He’s such a level-headed kid and we’re hoping that he’ll take it all in his stride. It was one of the best debuts I’ve seen in a long time so he has given us a huge shot in the arm.
“When you’re that small, you have to be special and I think he is. We just have to be mindful we don’t get carried away, you’ve got to be careful with young lads.
“What I am pleased about is the academy, which has been a bit maligned over the past couple of years. We’ve got two players who are playing very well now in Josh Vela and Zach.”
Main image courtesy of BWFC via YouTube, with thanks.
