Neil Lennon - Injury list no excuse

Manager's reaction to defeat at Nottingham Forest

Despite a mounting injury list Neil Lennon says his current group of players must do better following a 4-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest.

Bolton saw both Tim Ream and Andrew Lonergan leave the field of play on stretchers at The City Ground, as the hosts ran out comfortable winners.

And speaking after the game the manager stressed the importance of his side turning the corner.

“We were very sloppy to start with and gave away some soft goals through individual mistakes. We then get a lifeline going into half time through the penalty.

“At that point you’re thinking we’ve got a real chance and that we’re back in the game. 

“We knew we would have to be more aggressive, as I we felt we were way too passive in the first half.

“Then, at the start of the second half, we have a man sent off and that then makes life very difficult for you. 

“When we went a man down we did have David Wheater on the bench, but because we only had one substitute left we wanted to see how things would settle down at the start of the second half. 

“We then commit defensive suicide by giving away a couple more goals with the penalty and a short backpass.

“We only have ourselves to blame. Yes, we’re concerned with our injury list at this moment in time, but we can’t blame our recent run on that.

“The players who are here and playing at this moment in time have to do better. The current form is unacceptable. 

“We improved as a team when we first came through the door. For one reason or another we’re now struggling a bit and we have to turn things around as soon as possible.

“We’re conceding goals at an alarming rate. We can work all week on the training ground, but we can’t legislate for individual errors costing us goals at the back.

“Andy Lonergan took a bang on the chest and seems to have suffered a bit of concussion. He went off to hospital and we’ll have to see how he is.

“We expect him to be out for some time now, because you can’t take any chances with injuries like that.

“Tim has suffered a knock on his back. Again, we’ll see how he is over the next 24 hours and decide the best course of action.”

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