Manager happy with side's defensive display in goalless draw at Ewood Park, but wants more quality in the final third
Neil Lennon says his side must build on their solid defensive showings in recent weeks by offering more going forward.
Bolton played out a closely-contested goalless draw at Blackburn Rovers on Friday evening, ending the game with ten men following Dorian Dervite’s dismissal for a second yellow card late on.
Prior to that, sub Emile Heskey had seen Bolton’s best chance cleared off the line.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Lennon said: “I thought we were good and withstood everything Blackburn threw at us.
“We knew they would be dangerous from set pieces and long throw ins, but we stood up well to what they offered going forward.
“We looked the better team when we got the ball down and played and we should have scored. Emile should have put the ball in the net late on.
“There was only ever going to be one goal in it. It was tight and tense stuff.
“I did feel that we should have had a penalty in the first half when Mark Davies was clearly fouled in the area. I don’t think the referee had a good game tonight.
“Even when Zach went down, it could have easily have been a penalty. I don’t think there was any reason for either of them to go down given where they were. Nine times out of ten we get a penalty.
“The sending off was stupid from Dorian, because Barrow is going away from goal. He’s been superb for me, but unfortunately now he’ll miss a game through suspension.
“Overall, we’re pleased to get a point away from home, but we need to start scoring more goals. We flashed a lot of balls across the face of goal, but didn’t have anyone on the end to score.
“Last season we would have probably lost that game, so we look good at the back and the mentality has improved. What we must now do is be more dangerous in the final third.”
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Report: Blackburn 0-0 Bolton