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Whether they are watching on the TV at home in Bolton, or one of the few who managed to make an awkward weekday trip to Bournemouth – Neil Lennon reckons Wanderers owe a performance to their fans tonight.
Putting it mildly, the Whites boss was miffed when his side’s game was switched to a Monday at the last minute to appease the Sky Sports schedules.
Many fans who had booked their trip in advance found themselves out of pocket thanks to non-refundable hotels and trains and what would have been a well-attended last away trip of the season has now become a nuisance for all but the home team.
It is not the first time travelling Whites fans have suffered – this season’s games at Ipswich, Norwich, Charlton, Middlesbrough and Millwall were all played outside the weekend.
And while little can be done about the fixture computer, Lennon does have sympathy for fans who have been put out when games have been shifted for television.
“It’s a major inconvenience,” he said. “The game was scheduled for a Saturday and I’m sure a lot of people would have had things booked and now had to change their plans.
“You can’t ask that for everyone – it’s expensive enough for people to travel and watch football games.
“I don’t mind the Monday night football personally but from the fans’ point of view it’s a disaster unless they can make it a long weekend for themselves.
“It’s a long, long way to travel. We’ve had Ipswich on a Tuesday and now Bournemouth on a Monday. With the game being on TV I’d imagine plenty will be staying at home.
"It is ridiculous because it’s asking too much of a group of supporters who have been brilliant this season. They have travelled everywhere with us and we’ve really appreciated it.
“I’m hoping those who can make a weekend of it can go home really happy, knowing their team have put a performance in.”
Lennon sees no reason why Wanderers cannot take points off Bournemouth, as they did at Brentford last weekend – and as they would have done against Norwich but for some slack defending in injury time.
“I think Bournemouth are probably the best footballing side in the division,” he said. “But we’ve got our own agenda and we know we played well against Norwich and Brentford. I am hoping we get more of the same on Monday night.
“There is huge pressure on them to get a win but we’ll compete and we’ll make life very, very difficult for them, no mistake about it.
“When I analyse the Brentford game I really think we should have been two up – Emile Heskey goes clean through on goal and Adam Le Fondre gets one kicked off the line. And they were a side who are going for promotion.
“I was very happy with some of the football we played there. Bournemouth will know we are a dangerous team and that our away form of late has been pretty decent.
“My players are playing without fear; there is no pressure on them. They are going out there to express themselves a lot better. We have everything to look forward to.”
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe was voted manager of the decade by the Football League this week – despite having only been in the hot-seat for six years with either the Cherries or Burnley.
When presented with that fact, Lennon responded with a wry smirk – but the Wanderers boss is full of praise for the style of football Howe’s side have produced this season.
“Eddie has done very well, and I congratulate him on that,” he said. “He plays a brand of football that is pleasing on the eye and I suppose if there was any justice, you’d say Bournemouth should get promoted. But it doesn’t work that way.
“There are other aspects of football you have to handle and that is the pressure moments. I don't think Bournemouth have been in this position before. And because the game has been pushed back it builds even higher.”
Lennon won plenty of silverware as a manager at Celtic, leading from the front, and with Watford’s place in the Premier League now secured – he praised the Hornets for their strength in the last third of the campaign.
“When you’re in that position it helps when you’ve been there before,” he said. “Every season is different but that pressure is always the same.
“Watford have been on an exceptional run and have been really impressive. Not just the score lines but the brand of football they play.
“Our best game was probably when we played them here. Sometimes he (Watford boss Slavisa Jokanovic) gambles and had a good go. But he has the players that can produce for him at the top end of the pitch.
“It's been an exceptional end of season run for those teams and it's been very exciting. I am just glad we will have a say in it.”
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Putting it mildly, the Whites boss was miffed when his side’s game was switched to a Monday at the last minute to appease the Sky Sports schedules.
Many fans who had booked their trip in advance found themselves out of pocket thanks to non-refundable hotels and trains and what would have been a well-attended last away trip of the season has now become a nuisance for all but the home team.
It is not the first time travelling Whites fans have suffered – this season’s games at Ipswich, Norwich, Charlton, Middlesbrough and Millwall were all played outside the weekend.
And while little can be done about the fixture computer, Lennon does have sympathy for fans who have been put out when games have been shifted for television.
“It’s a major inconvenience,” he said. “The game was scheduled for a Saturday and I’m sure a lot of people would have had things booked and now had to change their plans.
“You can’t ask that for everyone – it’s expensive enough for people to travel and watch football games.
“I don’t mind the Monday night football personally but from the fans’ point of view it’s a disaster unless they can make it a long weekend for themselves.
“It’s a long, long way to travel. We’ve had Ipswich on a Tuesday and now Bournemouth on a Monday. With the game being on TV I’d imagine plenty will be staying at home.
"It is ridiculous because it’s asking too much of a group of supporters who have been brilliant this season. They have travelled everywhere with us and we’ve really appreciated it.
“I’m hoping those who can make a weekend of it can go home really happy, knowing their team have put a performance in.”
Lennon sees no reason why Wanderers cannot take points off Bournemouth, as they did at Brentford last weekend – and as they would have done against Norwich but for some slack defending in injury time.
“I think Bournemouth are probably the best footballing side in the division,” he said. “But we’ve got our own agenda and we know we played well against Norwich and Brentford. I am hoping we get more of the same on Monday night.
“There is huge pressure on them to get a win but we’ll compete and we’ll make life very, very difficult for them, no mistake about it.
“When I analyse the Brentford game I really think we should have been two up – Emile Heskey goes clean through on goal and Adam Le Fondre gets one kicked off the line. And they were a side who are going for promotion.
“I was very happy with some of the football we played there. Bournemouth will know we are a dangerous team and that our away form of late has been pretty decent.
“My players are playing without fear; there is no pressure on them. They are going out there to express themselves a lot better. We have everything to look forward to.”
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe was voted manager of the decade by the Football League this week – despite having only been in the hot-seat for six years with either the Cherries or Burnley.
When presented with that fact, Lennon responded with a wry smirk – but the Wanderers boss is full of praise for the style of football Howe’s side have produced this season.
“Eddie has done very well, and I congratulate him on that,” he said. “He plays a brand of football that is pleasing on the eye and I suppose if there was any justice, you’d say Bournemouth should get promoted. But it doesn’t work that way.
“There are other aspects of football you have to handle and that is the pressure moments. I don't think Bournemouth have been in this position before. And because the game has been pushed back it builds even higher.”
Lennon won plenty of silverware as a manager at Celtic, leading from the front, and with Watford’s place in the Premier League now secured – he praised the Hornets for their strength in the last third of the campaign.
“When you’re in that position it helps when you’ve been there before,” he said. “Every season is different but that pressure is always the same.
“Watford have been on an exceptional run and have been really impressive. Not just the score lines but the brand of football they play.
“Our best game was probably when we played them here. Sometimes he (Watford boss Slavisa Jokanovic) gambles and had a good go. But he has the players that can produce for him at the top end of the pitch.
“It's been an exceptional end of season run for those teams and it's been very exciting. I am just glad we will have a say in it.”
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