Wanderers bid farewell to Lee Chung-Yong while a number of new arrivals began to find their feet as we look back at February in our season review
SUMMARY
With the winter transfer window closing in early-February, Wanderers started the month by bidding a fond farewell to fan-favourite Lee Chung-Yong as the South Korean international signed for Premier League side Crystal Palace on deadline day after five-and-a-half years at Macron Stadium.
Scotland international Barry Bannan came the other way, joining the Whites on loan until the end of the season, while Neil Lennon also swooped to sign Saidy Janko and Simeon Slavchev on loan, as well as Filip Twardzik on a permanent basis from former club Celtic.
Elsewhere, Andy Kellett joined Manchester United on loan until the end of the season, while Keith Andrews and Conor Wilkinson joined MK Dons and Oldham Athletic respectively.
On the pitch, Wanderers started the month by narrowly exiting the FA Cup at the hands of Liverpool as Neil Lennon tasted defeat at Macron Stadium for the first time.
Eidur Gudjohnsen had fired the Whites ahead from the penalty spot, but late goals from Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho after Neil Danns had been sent off sealed their fate.
Returning to Championship action the following weekend, Twardzik marked his Bolton debut with a goal against Derby County while Bannan and Slavchev also made their maiden Trotters appearances as Wanderers fell to a 4-1 defeat against the Rams.
Facing Fulham in their next match, Janko marked his debut with a goal and assist while Adam Le Fondre also scored his first Whites goal as Bolton triumphed 3-1 against the Cottagers – Gudjohnsen scoring the other goal.
Liam Feeney set up all three goals for Le Fondre and Zach Clough as Bolton fell to a last-minute 4-3 defeat at home to Watford, while Ben Amos came off the bench to make his debut as the Trotters suffered a heavy defeat away at Nottingham Forest in their next outing.
A further defeat away at Middlesbrough followed, before Clough’s well-taken strike saw Wanderers return to winning ways against Brighton & Hove Albion in their last game of the month.
RESULTS
L 1-2 v Liverpool (H)
L 4-1 v Derby County (A)
W 3-1 v Fulham (H)
L 3-4 v Watford (H)
L 4-1 v Nottingham Forest (A)
L 1-0 v Middlesbrough (A)
W 1-0 v Brighton & HA (H)
THEY SAID
“The fans have always supported and believed in me. So, I have to say a big thank you to the fans of Bolton Wanderers. I am now also a Bolton Wanderers fan and will be for the rest of my life. I will always be looking out for every result.”
Lee Chung-Yong in his open letter to supporters after leaving Wanderers to sign for Crystal Palace at the start of the month.
SCORERS
Zach Clough 3
Adam Le Fondre 3
Eidur Gudjohnsen 2
Saidy Janko
Filip Twardzik
PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Having marked his return from injury with two goals on his Championship debut at the end of January, Zach Clough continued that form into February as he picked up the Wanderers’ Player of the Month award.
Impressing in front of the BBC cameras against Liverpool, the forward scored three goals throughout the month while also winning two penalties as the Whites endured mixed fortunes on the pitch following their FA Cup exploits.
New signing Barry Bannan was voted second by supporters, while Tim Ream finished in third place.
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Community Review: February