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Neil Lennon believes a failure to take responsibility on the pitch – illustrated by skipper Matt Mills’ dismissal at Nottingham Forest – is costing his side dear at present.
The Whites boss takes his team to high-flying Middlesbrough tonight denied the services of his captain after he was sent off in Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at the City Ground.
Lennon was unhappy with his centre-back’s ill-discipline that ultimately cost his team any chance of earning a point at Forest and admits Mills is just as regretful. And he does not want to see any more erratic on-field decisions as he looks for a response on Teesside tonight, calling on his players to show fighting spirit in adversity.
Lennon said: “Where this ill discipline has come from I don't know.
“There are so many aspects of managing you have got to take care of. You can't take care of everything and players have got to manage on the pitch. There is not enough doing it at the minute.
“It's starting to creep back in and we have got to nip it in the bud straight away.
“For me, there were too many players' heads went down too early and I can't have that.
“You have to roll up your sleeves and stay in the game.
“At Forest, we came in at half-time, having not played well, but having got a goal back. We should be motivated for the second half thinking 'we can do this.'
"One minute into the second half, you lose your centre half and captain. That's something I cannot legislate for.
“It's ill discipline and it is costing us. It is unnecessary and unprofessional.
“I am speaking publicly here but I am not saying anything I haven't said to Matt.
“He knows it is not good enough. That's the last thing we needed.”
Mills’ absence adds to Lennon’s problems with Andy Lonergan, Tim Ream and Filip Twardzik all injured after starting at Forest.
Manchester United lonee Ben Amos will make his first start in goal for Wanderers and ex-Boro favourite David Wheater will return to the backline.
There could also be starting places for experienced forward duo Emile Heskey and Eidur Gudjohnsen.
Boro will be looking for their own response after a shock home defeat to Leeds on Saturday but Lennon’s sole focus is on his own side’s reaction.
He added: “They are a strong side and unfortunate not to win the game against Leeds.
“But they are not at the forefront of my mind. I am expecting a reaction from my team.
“We have got Heskey fit now and Gudjohnsen will feature, so his experience may be beneficial to us as well.”
Source
The Whites boss takes his team to high-flying Middlesbrough tonight denied the services of his captain after he was sent off in Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at the City Ground.
Lennon was unhappy with his centre-back’s ill-discipline that ultimately cost his team any chance of earning a point at Forest and admits Mills is just as regretful. And he does not want to see any more erratic on-field decisions as he looks for a response on Teesside tonight, calling on his players to show fighting spirit in adversity.
Lennon said: “Where this ill discipline has come from I don't know.
“There are so many aspects of managing you have got to take care of. You can't take care of everything and players have got to manage on the pitch. There is not enough doing it at the minute.
“It's starting to creep back in and we have got to nip it in the bud straight away.
“For me, there were too many players' heads went down too early and I can't have that.
“You have to roll up your sleeves and stay in the game.
“At Forest, we came in at half-time, having not played well, but having got a goal back. We should be motivated for the second half thinking 'we can do this.'
"One minute into the second half, you lose your centre half and captain. That's something I cannot legislate for.
“It's ill discipline and it is costing us. It is unnecessary and unprofessional.
“I am speaking publicly here but I am not saying anything I haven't said to Matt.
“He knows it is not good enough. That's the last thing we needed.”
Mills’ absence adds to Lennon’s problems with Andy Lonergan, Tim Ream and Filip Twardzik all injured after starting at Forest.
Manchester United lonee Ben Amos will make his first start in goal for Wanderers and ex-Boro favourite David Wheater will return to the backline.
There could also be starting places for experienced forward duo Emile Heskey and Eidur Gudjohnsen.
Boro will be looking for their own response after a shock home defeat to Leeds on Saturday but Lennon’s sole focus is on his own side’s reaction.
He added: “They are a strong side and unfortunate not to win the game against Leeds.
“But they are not at the forefront of my mind. I am expecting a reaction from my team.
“We have got Heskey fit now and Gudjohnsen will feature, so his experience may be beneficial to us as well.”
Source