Home
Neil Lennon insists he was right to drop “off the boil” Josh Vela from the squad to face Ipswich Town on Tuesday night.
Lawrie Wilson was drafted in for his first start since September in the 2-2 draw, rewarding Lennon’s decision with the goal that got his side back into the game.
But amidst heavy rumour the pair were involved in a row in the aftermath of Saturday’s defeat at Leeds United, the Wanderers boss put reasons for dropping Vela on the record, downplaying any discord.
“He’s gone off the boil a little bit,” he told The Bolton News. “I think young players sometimes need a little break and hopefully he can come back fresher and sharper when he does.”
Vela had started each of the last 15 games for Wanderers, and 24 of the last 26 in league and cup.
But he was substituted midway through the second half at Elland Road and replaced at right-back by Liam Feeney.
Lennon also has some concerns over the recent form of another academy graduate in Zach Clough.
Since scoring against QPR last month the Whites boss believes his young striker’s performances have dipped.
Lennon came under significant fire from his own fans for taking Clough off with six minutes to go on Tuesday night, but saw another decision substantiated as substitute Stephen Dobbie stepped up to score an equaliser six minutes into stoppage time.
“Zach, for whatever reason, has not been at the level over the last few games that he was before, for whatever reason, I don’t know,” Lennon said.
“You want to keep him in the game because you think he can nick you a goal but then Dobbie can do that as well.”
Asked whether pressure of the club’s relegation battle or transfer speculation may have affected the academy graduate’s performances, Lennon added: “I hope not, and I don’t think so.
“You have to remember he’s still a very young boy.
“He’s only in the embryonic stages of what will hopefully be a really good career. He’s learning quickly but he’s been a little bit off the pace in the last two or three games.
“I have got to be fair to the other players as well – Dobbie has been champing at the bit and there was only one person who was going to take that penalty.”
Source
Lawrie Wilson was drafted in for his first start since September in the 2-2 draw, rewarding Lennon’s decision with the goal that got his side back into the game.
But amidst heavy rumour the pair were involved in a row in the aftermath of Saturday’s defeat at Leeds United, the Wanderers boss put reasons for dropping Vela on the record, downplaying any discord.
“He’s gone off the boil a little bit,” he told The Bolton News. “I think young players sometimes need a little break and hopefully he can come back fresher and sharper when he does.”
Vela had started each of the last 15 games for Wanderers, and 24 of the last 26 in league and cup.
But he was substituted midway through the second half at Elland Road and replaced at right-back by Liam Feeney.
Lennon also has some concerns over the recent form of another academy graduate in Zach Clough.
Since scoring against QPR last month the Whites boss believes his young striker’s performances have dipped.
Lennon came under significant fire from his own fans for taking Clough off with six minutes to go on Tuesday night, but saw another decision substantiated as substitute Stephen Dobbie stepped up to score an equaliser six minutes into stoppage time.
“Zach, for whatever reason, has not been at the level over the last few games that he was before, for whatever reason, I don’t know,” Lennon said.
“You want to keep him in the game because you think he can nick you a goal but then Dobbie can do that as well.”
Asked whether pressure of the club’s relegation battle or transfer speculation may have affected the academy graduate’s performances, Lennon added: “I hope not, and I don’t think so.
“You have to remember he’s still a very young boy.
“He’s only in the embryonic stages of what will hopefully be a really good career. He’s learning quickly but he’s been a little bit off the pace in the last two or three games.
“I have got to be fair to the other players as well – Dobbie has been champing at the bit and there was only one person who was going to take that penalty.”
Source
