Neil Lennon - Must take the positives

Manager says his side must look to build on the positive aspects of their play despite defeat at Burnley

Neil Lennon says his side must take the positives from the performance against Burnley.

Despite slipping to a 2-0 defeat at Turf Moor, Bolton more than matched their Lancashire neighbours.

In the end the game was won by Andre Gray, who twice finished from close range in the second half to secure the points for the hosts.

“I thought we played well,” the manager said in his post-match press conference. “I didn’t feel we were out of the game at any stage.

“For me, the difference was a £7million striker in Andre Gray. He scored the two goals.

“I thought we were the better team in the first half. I didn’t think we played like a team that are bottom of the league. 

“Over the piece I thought our two full-backs played very well, particularly Jose Casado on the left side. 

“At 1-0 we created a very good chance from one of Jose’s crosses, and if that goes in then it completely changes the psychology of the game. 

“We were playing very well when Jay Spearing suffered an injury. It didn’t disrupt our formation, but we lost a very good player. If he’d have stayed on the pitch we may have got something out of the game.

“In terms of our performance, I can’t go criticizing the players. I know we’re now bottom of the league, but what we now face is a real challenge to get ourselves into a respectable position.

“It goes without saying, I don’t like being down there because it’s not something I’m used to.

“We’ve got two home games coming up. If we’re able to register a couple of wins that can soon change the entire landscape and really lift the mood. That has to be the target.”

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