Bolton manager Neil Lennon says he hopes that his reputation will not precede him in English football after branding the decision to send him to the stands at the weekend ‘very, very harsh’.
Matt Mills’ header, the only goal of the game, lifted Wanderers off the foot of the Championship table for only their second league win of the season over Birmingham City in Lennon’s first game in charge.
The new manager was caught up in a controversial moment following Craig Davies’ late penalty miss, when he was sent to the stands for repeatedly leaving his technical area.
“I hope my reputation from Scotland hasn’t preceded me,” the Northern Irishman told the BBC. “I haven’t been sent off for two years.
“My only misdemeanour today was showing enthusiasm. Officials need to cut people a bit of slack.
“I think it was very, very harsh. It wasn’t as if I was remonstrating with anyone. I’ve seen a lot worse in Scotland.”
The grit shown by the Bolton players impressed both Lennon and match-winner Mills, and the latter was full of praise for his teammates.
“The amount of second balls and 50/50s we won were massive,” Mills said. “That’s what Championship football is about and that gave us a great foothold in the game.
“I thought we were fantastic in terms of pressing from the front, all the way through midfield and to the boys at the back.
“We were a little bit disappointed with our display in the second half, but this is a fantastic win considering our situation at the moment.”
Lennon echoed these sentiments, explaining that he was thrilled with the attitude and desire his players showed.
“We put in a magnificent performance,” he said. “As a team we fought for one another. Our appetite to get the ball back and win 50-50s was brilliant.
“I felt the goalkeeper, back four and two midfielders gave us a fantastic base to press forward and we stood up well in defence.
“I’m also pleased for the chairman and the owner. It has been a bit of difficult time for the club over the last few weeks but they deserve that win.”
Bolton should have made it easier for themselves but were too often profligate in front of goal, none more so than when striker Davies skied a penalty with seven minutes left.
Lennon admitted that his side will need to be more prolific if they are to start climbing the Championship table.
“I felt we should have won the game by more than we did,” he said. “I felt we should have picked Birmingham off in the second half.
“With a little bit more care when on the ball we would have been a bit more comfortable towards the end of the game.
“At 1-0 we were always wary of Birmingham because they carried a real threat and we know we need to show a little bit more care in the final third at times.”
Main image courtesy of Bolton Wanderers FC via YouTube, with thanks.
