Neil Lennon believes avoiding defeat to Eastleigh will provide a huge boost to his Bolton players ahead of tonight’s trip to face Sheffield Wednesday.
Bolton narrowly fought off an embarrassing FA Cup loss to the non-league side through a late Darren Pratley equaliser, ensuring they have an opportunity to finish the job in the replay.
Attention now turns to Hillsborough, where the Owls have lost only once this season, and Lennon believes that while the game will be tough, his side will be in a positive frame of mind.
“It’s been a difficult week again, we have to stay together and keep the morale high, and a result like that will do us the world of good,” Lennon said.
“We were on a hiding to nothing before the game, a no-win situation, so thankfully we didn’t lose the game and hopefully we can finish the job in the replay.
“Sheffield Wednesday have got quality players at this level and it’s going to be a real test for us.
“They’re obviously trying to buy Mark (Davies), so they’re having a real go at it this year and they will be there or thereabouts.”
Lennon also fielded questions about the likely departures of two players, the aforementioned Davies and Zach Clough, who has courted interest from several Championship sides.
And while Lennon seemed resigned to the prospect of losing both, he urged positivity by pointing to the example of tonight’s opponents, who had their own dire financial troubles five years ago.
“Wednesday are a very good side, they’ve spent a lot of money, but they had their own problems a few years ago,” he said.
“The long-term future of our club is far more important than the short-term now, and bring if they do go ahead, but it looks like we’re going to lose two very good players.
“I know Zach was down talking to Bristol City, and I haven’t heard anything more on that, or regarding Mark Davies, I could go down to training and the two might be there, I don’t know.
“Administration is always a possibility – we’re hoping that if we get the capital from the sales of Clough and Davies that might tie us over.”
Image courtesy of BWFC via YouTube, with thanks.
