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Neil Lennon has warned his stars to shape up before the end of the season – or risk being shipped out.
The Wanderers boss is concerned about mental and physical fatigue in the camp going into Saturday’s clash with Wigan Athletic and will look to address problems by bringing the likes of Emile Heskey, Paddy McCarthy, Liam Feeney and Adam Le Fondre back into his squad at the DW Stadium.
Once again it was a late goal that proved the Whites’ undoing at Ipswich in midweek, signalling a sixth away defeat on the spin.
But on the eve of the derby Lennon has told his players to snap out of the losing habit quickly, or face being frozen out from his first-team plans altogether.
“We have a problem with the depth of the squad but I am expecting more from players who have had the opportunity to show what they can do. They are not doing it, so they won’t play,” he told The Bolton News.
“I need my players to step up now.
“You can't make them physically stronger at this stage of the season. Maybe it is a mental thing. When you tire your concentration has to be at its maximum.
"We look as though we tire in the last 15 minutes of games. I don't know if that is mental or physical fatigue.
“Teams always seem to find a way to score against us late on but we can’t manage it.”
Victory at Wigan would all-but assure Wanderers of Championship football next season but defeat could set the nerves jangling ahead of the international break.
Lennon is in the process of sorting which players he wants to retain for next season and those who will be allowed to leave.
And that makes the next eight games crucial for several individuals, regardless of their contractual position.
“We have to get better but I don't know how I am going to do that without getting better players in,” Lennon said. “I have to work with what I have got, get over the line and build for next year.”
One player who impressed at Ipswich was debutant Rochinha – and Lennon has hinted he could look to secure the 19-year-old’s signature again after the summer with Benfica’s approval.
“I think once he gets a little bit stronger and more up to speed, we’ll have a very good player to enjoy for the rest of the season,” he said, “then maybe bring him back next season, we’ll see.”
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The Wanderers boss is concerned about mental and physical fatigue in the camp going into Saturday’s clash with Wigan Athletic and will look to address problems by bringing the likes of Emile Heskey, Paddy McCarthy, Liam Feeney and Adam Le Fondre back into his squad at the DW Stadium.
Once again it was a late goal that proved the Whites’ undoing at Ipswich in midweek, signalling a sixth away defeat on the spin.
But on the eve of the derby Lennon has told his players to snap out of the losing habit quickly, or face being frozen out from his first-team plans altogether.
“We have a problem with the depth of the squad but I am expecting more from players who have had the opportunity to show what they can do. They are not doing it, so they won’t play,” he told The Bolton News.
“I need my players to step up now.
“You can't make them physically stronger at this stage of the season. Maybe it is a mental thing. When you tire your concentration has to be at its maximum.
"We look as though we tire in the last 15 minutes of games. I don't know if that is mental or physical fatigue.
“Teams always seem to find a way to score against us late on but we can’t manage it.”
Victory at Wigan would all-but assure Wanderers of Championship football next season but defeat could set the nerves jangling ahead of the international break.
Lennon is in the process of sorting which players he wants to retain for next season and those who will be allowed to leave.
And that makes the next eight games crucial for several individuals, regardless of their contractual position.
“We have to get better but I don't know how I am going to do that without getting better players in,” Lennon said. “I have to work with what I have got, get over the line and build for next year.”
One player who impressed at Ipswich was debutant Rochinha – and Lennon has hinted he could look to secure the 19-year-old’s signature again after the summer with Benfica’s approval.
“I think once he gets a little bit stronger and more up to speed, we’ll have a very good player to enjoy for the rest of the season,” he said, “then maybe bring him back next season, we’ll see.”
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