Neil Lennon was once again left to rue a lack of a cutting edge in a familiar story for Bolton Wanderers as his side failed to secure a priceless victory against Bristol City.
Shola Ameobi’s second-half penalty miss ensured that Bolton’s winless run stretched to ten games, leaving the Whites three points from safety going into the international break.
And Lennon’s pleasure at a fifth clean sheet in 16 games was tempered by the knowledge that opportunities don’t come more gilt-edged than the one his new striker passed up.
“It’s a missed opportunity,” he said.
“We look like a team that wanted to win, that created great chances, missed a penalty, and that’s a real source of frustration because second half we were the better team.
“They didn’t drop their heads, they actually went the other way, and got stronger, and they finished the game really well.
“I have a lot of positives to take out of it – what we were missing was that bit of quality at the top end of the pitch.
“We just lacked that cutting edge, but we should score that penalty – they’re the best opportunities you can get.
“If that goes in we’re talking about three points, so we have to convert the draws into wins.”
After taking just three points from six in this latest cluster of matches, things don’t look much easier in the next month, with the Whites facing four consecutive games against top-half sides when domestic matters get back underway after the break.
With Bolton now the joint-lowest scorers in all four divisions, Lennon has offered hope that the return of several offensive players, as well as a new signing, could be in the offing.
“The two-week break could be a help or a hindrance, we’ll see,” he said.
“Maybe we’ll get a couple of players closer, Zach Clough and Wellington Silva, and maybe it’ll give us an opportunity to bring a player in, which we’re endeavouring to do.
“They’ve had a heavy programme, so it’ll be good for them to have a break, freshen up and get ready to go again and hopefully turn things around by Christmas.”
Image courtesy of Bolton Wanderers, via Youtube, with thanks
