Neil Lennon blasted the ‘weak mentality’ of some of Bolton Wanderers’ senior players after the club suffered a disappointing 1-0 loss against Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
The Trotters were guilty of missing numerous good opportunities in front of goal before Jay Tabb’s strike sealed the win for the Tractor Boys.
Wanderers are now without a win away from home in two months, and Lennon was visibly angry after the final whistle.
“I’m expecting more from the players,” he said. “They are getting an opportunity to show what they can do, but they’re not doing it so they won’t play.
“The league table doesn’t lie but a club like this shouldn’t be where it is.
“Some of the senior players have a weak mentality but I can’t do anything about that until the end of the season when we will still be hopefully in the Championship.
“I don’t know how we’re going to improve without getting better players in. I’ve got work with what I’ve got at the minute.”
Despite the latest disappointing away defeat, Wanderers remain 10 points clear of the Championship relegation zone.
Lennon acknowledged that there were positive aspects of the performance, singling out 19-year-old on-loan Benfica striker Rochina’s performance.
However, he bemoaned his side’s failure to finish chances and their inability to correct the abject away form which has plagued them this season.
“We had a very young team out tonight and once again our youngsters acquitted themselves very well. In Rochinha we had the outstanding player on the pitch,” he said.
“Generally speaking, our performance was very good. Ipswich are a good side at home and the game was in the balance in the second half.
“However, we shouldn’t have allowed the game to get to that stage – we should have been home and hosed by half-time.
“But that’s endemic of our season away from home. You can’t miss gilt-edged chances like we did against a good side.
“Nothing surprises me in football, but at the end of the game we’re left scratching our heads as to how we haven’t got something.
“The performances have been good, but once again we’ve come away from a game with nothing.”
Unfortunately, Bolton find themselves on the road again this weekend when they travel to the DW Stadium to face Lancashire rivals Wigan Athletic.
The Latics sit in the relegation zone in 22nd place, and it is unlikely that anything less than a win from the game will do for the Wanderers manager.
Main image courtesy of BWFC via YouTube, with thanks.
