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Wanderers’ ever-changing back four has been the root of the club’s poor form this season.
That’s the verdict from Bolton legend John McGinlay, who believes stability in defence will be key for Neil Lennon if he is to lead the Whites away from danger.
Prince-Desire Gouano’s suspension means Lennon will be making at least one change to the side that drew with Leeds United last time out – with Dorian Dervite hotly-tipped to come in alongside David Wheater at centre-half.
While full-backs Derik Osede and Jose Manuel Casado and keeper Ben Amos have been solid, McGinlay believes Wanderers’ form will not improve until they can name a settled side.
“The squad is very shallow and injuries and suspension are starting to bite now,” he told The Bolton News.
“You can see in the back four – it’s constant change. It’s a good job that Ben Amos is in decent form because it could have been even worse.
“It has an effect through the whole team if things aren’t right at the back but just when Neil thinks he’s got it right, you lose someone to a silly red card or an injury you can do without.”
Lennon has also come under fire from fans for chopping and changing his line-up this season unnecessarily.
Right-backs Lawrie Wilson and Francesco Pisano have found themselves ousted, while Dean Moxey played through the pain of a fractured toe until the international break when he was forced to sit on the sidelines.
Max Clayton has also yet to nail down a regular place since returning from injury, while midfielder Josh Vela started his first game of the season last weekend.
Lennon is clearly looking for a winning formula but McGinlay has no doubt he will find one eventually.
Though the manager was proven north of the border with Celtic before his arrival, the Scot believes a whole new set of circumstances at Wanderers mean he is learning on the job at the Macron Stadium.
“People forget he’s still a young manager – he’ll make mistakes,” McGinlay added. “It’s a very steep learning curve for him but I honestly think he’ll be better for it.
“It’s nothing like Celtic. It’s a completely different kind of city to live and work in.
“When you are in charge of a club in Glasgow 50 per cent of people hate you, 50 per cent of people adore you. But then you lose one game and it’s regarded as a crisis. There is a huge pressure on you but it’s a different kind of scrutiny.
“He’s encountering things at Bolton that he would have never dreamed of at Celtic but he’ll be picking up that experience in the long run.
“He embedded himself in the town when he arrived, united the club. He did a lot of good things to repair the relationship with supporters.
“The downside has been results on the park; he knows that.
“Personally, I think he hasn’t been given the tools to do the job but he’ll get through it because he’s a born winner. It’s the only way he knows how.”
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That’s the verdict from Bolton legend John McGinlay, who believes stability in defence will be key for Neil Lennon if he is to lead the Whites away from danger.
Prince-Desire Gouano’s suspension means Lennon will be making at least one change to the side that drew with Leeds United last time out – with Dorian Dervite hotly-tipped to come in alongside David Wheater at centre-half.
While full-backs Derik Osede and Jose Manuel Casado and keeper Ben Amos have been solid, McGinlay believes Wanderers’ form will not improve until they can name a settled side.
“The squad is very shallow and injuries and suspension are starting to bite now,” he told The Bolton News.
“You can see in the back four – it’s constant change. It’s a good job that Ben Amos is in decent form because it could have been even worse.
“It has an effect through the whole team if things aren’t right at the back but just when Neil thinks he’s got it right, you lose someone to a silly red card or an injury you can do without.”
Lennon has also come under fire from fans for chopping and changing his line-up this season unnecessarily.
Right-backs Lawrie Wilson and Francesco Pisano have found themselves ousted, while Dean Moxey played through the pain of a fractured toe until the international break when he was forced to sit on the sidelines.
Max Clayton has also yet to nail down a regular place since returning from injury, while midfielder Josh Vela started his first game of the season last weekend.
Lennon is clearly looking for a winning formula but McGinlay has no doubt he will find one eventually.
Though the manager was proven north of the border with Celtic before his arrival, the Scot believes a whole new set of circumstances at Wanderers mean he is learning on the job at the Macron Stadium.
“People forget he’s still a young manager – he’ll make mistakes,” McGinlay added. “It’s a very steep learning curve for him but I honestly think he’ll be better for it.
“It’s nothing like Celtic. It’s a completely different kind of city to live and work in.
“When you are in charge of a club in Glasgow 50 per cent of people hate you, 50 per cent of people adore you. But then you lose one game and it’s regarded as a crisis. There is a huge pressure on you but it’s a different kind of scrutiny.
“He’s encountering things at Bolton that he would have never dreamed of at Celtic but he’ll be picking up that experience in the long run.
“He embedded himself in the town when he arrived, united the club. He did a lot of good things to repair the relationship with supporters.
“The downside has been results on the park; he knows that.
“Personally, I think he hasn’t been given the tools to do the job but he’ll get through it because he’s a born winner. It’s the only way he knows how.”
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