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Neil Lennon says his side’s second half showing at Ipswich Town was simply not good enough.
Bolton more than matched the home side at Portman Road inside the opening 45 minutes, but the manager was left frustrated with a timid second half showing.
“We had some good chances in the first half, but our second half performance was unacceptable,” Lennon said after the match.
“I was pleased with the way we played in the first half. Yes, we conceded a sloppy goal, but we were doing well and were very much in the game. We just didn’t show up in the second half.
“We didn’t compete at all and we never really laid a glove on Ipswich. We lacked a physicality, which is disappointing given the size we had in the team tonight.
“Their first goal has come from one of our mistakes in possession and Ben will admit himself that he should do better with the shot. Then, for their second, we’ve failed to deal with the counter.
“I wasn’t happy with so much of our play in the second half and if you’re not going to scores goals we’re going to struggle.
“We go from playing well defensively on Saturday to not playing well tonight and that is difficult to understand. We lack consistency from game to game and this is something we’ve talked about.
“We are endeavouring and doing everything we can to improve our situation. Some of us have to stand up and take responsibility and as a team we haven’t done that enough.
“When the going gets tough we have to grab the game by the scruff of the neck.
“We have an important game against Bristol City at the weekend and we’ll do all we can to win. I still believe we can turn this situation around.”
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Bolton more than matched the home side at Portman Road inside the opening 45 minutes, but the manager was left frustrated with a timid second half showing.
“We had some good chances in the first half, but our second half performance was unacceptable,” Lennon said after the match.
“I was pleased with the way we played in the first half. Yes, we conceded a sloppy goal, but we were doing well and were very much in the game. We just didn’t show up in the second half.
“We didn’t compete at all and we never really laid a glove on Ipswich. We lacked a physicality, which is disappointing given the size we had in the team tonight.
“Their first goal has come from one of our mistakes in possession and Ben will admit himself that he should do better with the shot. Then, for their second, we’ve failed to deal with the counter.
“I wasn’t happy with so much of our play in the second half and if you’re not going to scores goals we’re going to struggle.
“We go from playing well defensively on Saturday to not playing well tonight and that is difficult to understand. We lack consistency from game to game and this is something we’ve talked about.
“We are endeavouring and doing everything we can to improve our situation. Some of us have to stand up and take responsibility and as a team we haven’t done that enough.
“When the going gets tough we have to grab the game by the scruff of the neck.
“We have an important game against Bristol City at the weekend and we’ll do all we can to win. I still believe we can turn this situation around.”
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