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Neil Lennon reckons he’s getting it right at the back as Wanderers approach Friday night’s derby in resolute mood.
Aside from a poor first half against Middlesbrough, the Whites boss has been delighted with his side’s defending since the start of the season.
Dean Moxey, Dorian Dervite and new signing Prince-Desire Gouano have been among the most consistent performers of the last few weeks and Lennon is calling for more of the same when his side visit local rivals Blackburn Rovers on Friday night.
“Defensively we’ve looked very solid, apart from that half against Middlesbrough which I take full responsibility for,” he told The Bolton News. “The full-backs were very solid against Nottingham Forest, in fact I don’t think I’ve ever seen Dean Moxey playing better.
“Considering he had a bruised toe that got injected he showed some great character to get out there and play – and I think he’s showing now why Dougie Freedman brought him here in the first place.
“But I’ve been pleased with the defence as a whole, really. Dorian Dervite has been arguably our best performer so far and I’m pleased with how Lawrie Wilson and Prince have settled in.
“There’s no room for complacency, of course, but we’ve got every reason to be confident looking forward.”
Another plus point for Lennon is the fact Mark Davies has strung together four consecutive starts for the first time since March 2014.
Lennon has installed the midfielder as captain in Darren Pratley’s absence and the manager believes Whites fans are starting to see the best of him again.
“Getting another 90 minutes in against Forest means it’s four in a row for him now, and that definitely augurs well,” he added. “We’re really encouraged by how he’s playing at the moment.”
Wanderers will hope their goal-scoring problems have now deserted them after Stephen Dobbie broke a 10-hour drought at the weekend, but furthermore Lennon would also dearly love to start chalking up more points away from home.
Wanderers have managed just two victories on the road – against Sheffield Wednesday and Cardiff City – during the whole of 2015.
And the manager is desperate to see that statistic change as quickly as possible.
“The reason our home form has been good has been largely down to the backing we’ve had from the fans,” he said. “We need to replicate that away from home.
“We know there will be plenty of support over in Blackburn and it would be good to send the fans home happy.”
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Aside from a poor first half against Middlesbrough, the Whites boss has been delighted with his side’s defending since the start of the season.
Dean Moxey, Dorian Dervite and new signing Prince-Desire Gouano have been among the most consistent performers of the last few weeks and Lennon is calling for more of the same when his side visit local rivals Blackburn Rovers on Friday night.
“Defensively we’ve looked very solid, apart from that half against Middlesbrough which I take full responsibility for,” he told The Bolton News. “The full-backs were very solid against Nottingham Forest, in fact I don’t think I’ve ever seen Dean Moxey playing better.
“Considering he had a bruised toe that got injected he showed some great character to get out there and play – and I think he’s showing now why Dougie Freedman brought him here in the first place.
“But I’ve been pleased with the defence as a whole, really. Dorian Dervite has been arguably our best performer so far and I’m pleased with how Lawrie Wilson and Prince have settled in.
“There’s no room for complacency, of course, but we’ve got every reason to be confident looking forward.”
Another plus point for Lennon is the fact Mark Davies has strung together four consecutive starts for the first time since March 2014.
Lennon has installed the midfielder as captain in Darren Pratley’s absence and the manager believes Whites fans are starting to see the best of him again.
“Getting another 90 minutes in against Forest means it’s four in a row for him now, and that definitely augurs well,” he added. “We’re really encouraged by how he’s playing at the moment.”
Wanderers will hope their goal-scoring problems have now deserted them after Stephen Dobbie broke a 10-hour drought at the weekend, but furthermore Lennon would also dearly love to start chalking up more points away from home.
Wanderers have managed just two victories on the road – against Sheffield Wednesday and Cardiff City – during the whole of 2015.
And the manager is desperate to see that statistic change as quickly as possible.
“The reason our home form has been good has been largely down to the backing we’ve had from the fans,” he said. “We need to replicate that away from home.
“We know there will be plenty of support over in Blackburn and it would be good to send the fans home happy.”
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