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NEIL Lennon wants the emerging young players at Wanderers to be the mainstay of the side for years to come – starting next season.
The Whites boss turned to youth in the second half of last season, blooding striker Zach Clough and then winger Tom Walker – both graduates from the club's academy.
And neither home-grown star disappointed with some mature performances and a run in the side.
Clough's impact was instant with a goal on his debut in the FA Cup triumph against Wigan in January and a further five in just six league starts before a shoulder injury curtailed his campaign.
But the 20-year-old is expected to be back when pre-season training gets underway in a fortnight and Lennon is confident he will shine again next season, admitting he is as good a young player as he has worked with.
The Wanderers boss said: "Zach Clough was just a revelation really.
"But just when we got him up and running and doing really well, we lost him to a bad injury.
"He’ll be fit for the start of next season and, without putting too much pressure on him, he’s a real asset and a positive from last season.
"We had to take our time just to make sure that he was ready.
"We got him around the first team on a more regular basis in terms of training.
"When he came in, he was absolutely fantastic.
"He is a really exciting player and as good a young player as I have worked with.
"He is willing to learn and has a fantastic attitude.
"What pleased me more than anything was his transition from training with the first team to actually playing.
"There were no nerves and he was positive in everything he did.
"In the end he showed he was a really good finisher, once he was in there, with six goals in 10 games."
Salfordian Walker is even younger at just 19 years old but also showed his quality when handed his chance by Lennon, making 11 appearances.
And the Northern Irishman says there is more to come from him, too, when he develops physically.
Lennon told the club: "Tom Walker came in and he is another who is talented.
"He is well-balanced with a great left foot and a good football brain.
"He needs a little bit of work on the physical side but he is only 19.
"He has been thrown in at the deep end and coped pretty well.
"We are very, very pleased with having two of our own coming through.
"Along with the likes of Josh Vela, hopefully they will be the mainstay of the team for the next year or two."
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/13333972.Neil_Lennon_hopes_home_grown_talent_can_be_the_mainstay_of_his_Wanderers_team/
The Whites boss turned to youth in the second half of last season, blooding striker Zach Clough and then winger Tom Walker – both graduates from the club's academy.
And neither home-grown star disappointed with some mature performances and a run in the side.
Clough's impact was instant with a goal on his debut in the FA Cup triumph against Wigan in January and a further five in just six league starts before a shoulder injury curtailed his campaign.
But the 20-year-old is expected to be back when pre-season training gets underway in a fortnight and Lennon is confident he will shine again next season, admitting he is as good a young player as he has worked with.
The Wanderers boss said: "Zach Clough was just a revelation really.
"But just when we got him up and running and doing really well, we lost him to a bad injury.
"He’ll be fit for the start of next season and, without putting too much pressure on him, he’s a real asset and a positive from last season.
"We had to take our time just to make sure that he was ready.
"We got him around the first team on a more regular basis in terms of training.
"When he came in, he was absolutely fantastic.
"He is a really exciting player and as good a young player as I have worked with.
"He is willing to learn and has a fantastic attitude.
"What pleased me more than anything was his transition from training with the first team to actually playing.
"There were no nerves and he was positive in everything he did.
"In the end he showed he was a really good finisher, once he was in there, with six goals in 10 games."
Salfordian Walker is even younger at just 19 years old but also showed his quality when handed his chance by Lennon, making 11 appearances.
And the Northern Irishman says there is more to come from him, too, when he develops physically.
Lennon told the club: "Tom Walker came in and he is another who is talented.
"He is well-balanced with a great left foot and a good football brain.
"He needs a little bit of work on the physical side but he is only 19.
"He has been thrown in at the deep end and coped pretty well.
"We are very, very pleased with having two of our own coming through.
"Along with the likes of Josh Vela, hopefully they will be the mainstay of the team for the next year or two."
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/13333972.Neil_Lennon_hopes_home_grown_talent_can_be_the_mainstay_of_his_Wanderers_team/
