Home
NEIL Lennon believes Josh Vela has “grown-up” since he introduced him as a regular in the Wanderers side.
The Whites boss heaped praise on Academy graduate Vela for bouncing back to form after a difficult spell playing out of position at right-back.
And though he was dropped to the bench for only the second time in 23 league and cup games in Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw with Reading, Lennon has been delighted with how the 21-year-old has coped with regular football.
“For a young fella, to go through that little dip and come out of the other side is great,” he told The Bolton News. “It doesn’t feel great at the time but it’s all part of learning, all part of growing up.
“He had a little spell where he wasn’t playing that well but I’m hoping he can show that his form is coming back now and have a good run.”
Vela has played in all but the first four games since Lennon took charge, flitting between right-back, right wing-back and midfield.
He came in for some criticism for a poor performance in the 4-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest but bounced back with a fine assist for Zach Clough in the victory over Brighton, then another composed display off the bench against Reading.
Lennon could hardly have brought the Salfordian out of the team if he wanted to, such are his limited options on the right side of his defence but the Northern Irishman believes regular football was the only way to find out if Vela could cope with the pressures of the Championship as he starts to look towards next season.
“Not being able to take him out of the firing line might be of benefit to me going forward,” he said. “It has been a test of his character at such a young age.
“People say he needs a rest, he doesn’t, he’s 21 and has played about 15 games in his whole career.
“I have no qualms about Josh, he’s one of the least of my worries at the moment.
“And I think recently we’ve seen the Josh Vela that we’ve known about for a while. He’s strong, athletic, good on the ball and I’d like him to stay that way now.”
Lennon could also take a look at Hayden White in the first team before the end of the season after the former Sheffield Wednesday youngster was recalled from a loan spell at Notts County early, impressing in the development squad’s victory over Manchester United in the Manchester Senior Cup.
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/11838492.Lennon_praises_young_star_Vela_for_finding_top_form_again/
The Whites boss heaped praise on Academy graduate Vela for bouncing back to form after a difficult spell playing out of position at right-back.
And though he was dropped to the bench for only the second time in 23 league and cup games in Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw with Reading, Lennon has been delighted with how the 21-year-old has coped with regular football.
“For a young fella, to go through that little dip and come out of the other side is great,” he told The Bolton News. “It doesn’t feel great at the time but it’s all part of learning, all part of growing up.
“He had a little spell where he wasn’t playing that well but I’m hoping he can show that his form is coming back now and have a good run.”
Vela has played in all but the first four games since Lennon took charge, flitting between right-back, right wing-back and midfield.
He came in for some criticism for a poor performance in the 4-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest but bounced back with a fine assist for Zach Clough in the victory over Brighton, then another composed display off the bench against Reading.
Lennon could hardly have brought the Salfordian out of the team if he wanted to, such are his limited options on the right side of his defence but the Northern Irishman believes regular football was the only way to find out if Vela could cope with the pressures of the Championship as he starts to look towards next season.
“Not being able to take him out of the firing line might be of benefit to me going forward,” he said. “It has been a test of his character at such a young age.
“People say he needs a rest, he doesn’t, he’s 21 and has played about 15 games in his whole career.
“I have no qualms about Josh, he’s one of the least of my worries at the moment.
“And I think recently we’ve seen the Josh Vela that we’ve known about for a while. He’s strong, athletic, good on the ball and I’d like him to stay that way now.”
Lennon could also take a look at Hayden White in the first team before the end of the season after the former Sheffield Wednesday youngster was recalled from a loan spell at Notts County early, impressing in the development squad’s victory over Manchester United in the Manchester Senior Cup.
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/11838492.Lennon_praises_young_star_Vela_for_finding_top_form_again/