Manager calls for his side to bounce back with positive performance against league leaders Brighton
Neil Lennon believes this weekend’s game again league leaders Brighton & Hove Albion is the perfect game for his team to get their teeth stuck into.
After last weekend’s disappointment at Huddersfield, Lennon wants his side to respond against Brighton at Macron Stadium on Saturday.
Bolton are unbeaten in their four home league games so far this season, but in Brighton face a side who have dropped just four points in the Sky Bet Championship this season.
“The weekend’s game will be a test of our character,” Lennon said in his pre-match press conference. “We’re playing a team that are top of the league, but it’s a great game to get our teeth into.
“We analysed the game at Huddersfield and have spoken to the players about it. We’re hoping we’ll get a reaction now on Saturday.
“At home we look a very good side. Away from home we’ve struggled to get the results for one reason or another.
“Brighton are a very well organised side. Chris Hughton has done a fantastic job there. They maybe didn’t end the season well, but they recruited well in the summer and have really kicked on this season.
“They’ve done what we wanted to do in getting off to a really good start.
“For us it is going to be a good challenge, to test the character of the players and to see if we can bounce back. We’re expecting a real test.”
The manager will be without the suspended Derik Osede after he collected two bookings at Huddersfield, but he has been boosted by the return of David Wheater and Max Clayton.
Lennon added: “Max Clayton and David Wheater will come into the squad for the game. They’ve both come through a number of behind-closed-doors games and they will be there or thereabouts.”
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Press conference: Neil Lennon pre-Brighton