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Neil Lennon believes Wanderers are effectively safe from relegation even though they threw away two points at local rivals Wigan.
The Whites maintained a 10-point gap over the bottom three despite seeing Martyn Waghorn equalise four minutes into stoppage time at the DW Stadium.
Lennon wanted a win before turning his attention towards his summer rebuilding job, but happily accepted a point after seeing his side come under major pressure on Saturday.
Tom Walker scored his first-ever professional goal to give Wanderers a lead against the run of play – but for the sixth time since the end of January Lennon’s side conceded in injury time, leaving the manager to reflect on more dropped points.
“I thought we were going to see it out and maybe we deserved that bit of luck the way things have been going,” he said.
“But it’s a point away from home, which stops the rot in terms of away defeats, and the gap between us and Wigan remains 10 points. I’d probably have taken a draw before the game anyway.
“Under the circumstances I’m probably pleased with it, but I’m not pleased with some of the performances out there. We can do better with the ball at times.
“But we move on. We’ve got Blackpool at home and I think we’re pretty safe anyhow but win that one and we definitely are safe.”
For the second game in a row Lennon was critical of Wanderers’ attacking display – but spared veteran striker Emile Heskey blame after a combative performance against his former club.
“Heskey is showing people how to play centre-forward and he’s 37. That is why he’s been at the top for so long,” he said.
“If our players can’t learn from someone like that, with the performances he’s putting in, then they’re not for me.
“Why can’t the rest of them be like that? It was panicking, falling over, lightweight, and they’re not learning. It’s amateur stuff at times and I’m fed up of watching it.
“Having said that I’m pleased to come away with a point, the gap is still intact.”
Wanderers’ next game is at home to rock bottom Blackpool after the international break.
“That’s a very, very winnable game for us,” he said. “I think three points there and we’ll definitely be safe.”
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The Whites maintained a 10-point gap over the bottom three despite seeing Martyn Waghorn equalise four minutes into stoppage time at the DW Stadium.
Lennon wanted a win before turning his attention towards his summer rebuilding job, but happily accepted a point after seeing his side come under major pressure on Saturday.
Tom Walker scored his first-ever professional goal to give Wanderers a lead against the run of play – but for the sixth time since the end of January Lennon’s side conceded in injury time, leaving the manager to reflect on more dropped points.
“I thought we were going to see it out and maybe we deserved that bit of luck the way things have been going,” he said.
“But it’s a point away from home, which stops the rot in terms of away defeats, and the gap between us and Wigan remains 10 points. I’d probably have taken a draw before the game anyway.
“Under the circumstances I’m probably pleased with it, but I’m not pleased with some of the performances out there. We can do better with the ball at times.
“But we move on. We’ve got Blackpool at home and I think we’re pretty safe anyhow but win that one and we definitely are safe.”
For the second game in a row Lennon was critical of Wanderers’ attacking display – but spared veteran striker Emile Heskey blame after a combative performance against his former club.
“Heskey is showing people how to play centre-forward and he’s 37. That is why he’s been at the top for so long,” he said.
“If our players can’t learn from someone like that, with the performances he’s putting in, then they’re not for me.
“Why can’t the rest of them be like that? It was panicking, falling over, lightweight, and they’re not learning. It’s amateur stuff at times and I’m fed up of watching it.
“Having said that I’m pleased to come away with a point, the gap is still intact.”
Wanderers’ next game is at home to rock bottom Blackpool after the international break.
“That’s a very, very winnable game for us,” he said. “I think three points there and we’ll definitely be safe.”
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