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The challenge facing Neil Lennon just keeps getting bigger and bigger.
Speculation surrounding future ownership has made for an uncertain environment at the Macron Stadium this week, and hardly ideal preparation for a game against Reading.
Before the international break Wanderers’ situation looked desperate – one win in 16 and three points adrift in the relegation zone. But Lennon could at least take solace the cavalry was coming.
Promised funds to sign players he lined up one deal for Rajiv van la Parra from Wolves and had another loan lined up for Liverpool’s Joao Teixeira – albeit with some competition – only to have the rug pulled publicly from under his feet.
The collapse of the Van la Parra deal in particular came as some embarrassment to the manager, who had every right to think the transfer was on track to be completed.
Instead he takes the same squad to the Madejski Stadium tomorrow as he had against Bristol City a fortnight earlier.
“It has always been a challenge but this is as big as it gets, I suppose,” said Lennon, reflecting on a week when things went from bad to worse.
“Trying to galvanise everyone, this is probably as bad as it gets. Can we turn things around? I hope we can.
“It shouldn’t affect the players that much and we’ll try to keep this away from them as best as we can, but yes, it’s a big challenge now in front of us.”
Lennon intends to gather his players round for a state of the nation address before setting off for Berkshire. He remains hopeful the worst of times will bring out the best of people and that his players will respond to a bit of adversity.
“I haven’t had chance to speak with them all yet but we will – maybe that will be an extra motivation or incentive?” he said.
“If you can come through this it would be a great achievement.
“It’s the motivation for me – I knew it was going to be difficult and in the last few weeks we’ve known this was going to be a tough season.
“But yes, with all this in the background it would be a great achievement to get out of it.
“We are not playing badly. We are keeping clean sheets so we just need to turn things round at the other end and score goals when we’re on top.
“If we can do that, we’ll be fine.”
Though Wanderers are hardly going to Reading in the best frame of mind, it may be encouraging to know that their opponents may also have experienced some upheaval by the time they get to the Madejski Stadium.
Last night Steve Clarke looked to be on the verge of quitting the club after 11 months in charge to join Fulham, which would come as some blow to a club that invested heavily in new players over the summer in an effort to get back into the play-off picture.
“It could work for or against us and we will have to take advantage if they have no manager in,” reasoned Lennon. “Maybe they are in a bit of turmoil themselves?”
Shola Ameobi looks set to lead the line tomorrow with Gary Madine struggling to overcome a rib injury sustained in the previous game against Bristol City.
Stephen Dobbie is also a major doubt although Mark Davies – who had also reported some issues after the 0-0 draw at the Macron a fortnight ago – should be fit to play.
Dean Moxey, who had been one of the more consistent performers earlier in the season, continues his absence with a toe injury.
Lennon hopes to have the experienced defender back in action soon.
“He picked up the injury in August then played for four to six weeks with injections; getting through games and not training,” he explained. “But he is out on the grass again so shouldn’t be far away.”
Lennon’s short-term aim is stability and that involves getting the best out of a group of players who, regardless of the financial situation at Wanderers, have been underperforming this season.
“I need make sure they keep creating the chances,” Lennon said. “That’s important no matter how well or badly we are playing. Give players a belief to take those chances because we have created plenty.
“It only takes one or two to stick them in the net and hopefully the confidence will come back. I am not saying they are drained of confidence but they look a bit nervous in front of goal.
“They have got goals in them: Gary, Shola, Max (Clayton), Liam Feeney. I would like to see us pitching in from midfield with a few.
“Darren Pratley and Mark Davies are capable of doing that. If we can keep the clean sheets – and we have done okay in that department – I am sure the results will turn for us.”
Source
Speculation surrounding future ownership has made for an uncertain environment at the Macron Stadium this week, and hardly ideal preparation for a game against Reading.
Before the international break Wanderers’ situation looked desperate – one win in 16 and three points adrift in the relegation zone. But Lennon could at least take solace the cavalry was coming.
Promised funds to sign players he lined up one deal for Rajiv van la Parra from Wolves and had another loan lined up for Liverpool’s Joao Teixeira – albeit with some competition – only to have the rug pulled publicly from under his feet.
The collapse of the Van la Parra deal in particular came as some embarrassment to the manager, who had every right to think the transfer was on track to be completed.
Instead he takes the same squad to the Madejski Stadium tomorrow as he had against Bristol City a fortnight earlier.
“It has always been a challenge but this is as big as it gets, I suppose,” said Lennon, reflecting on a week when things went from bad to worse.
“Trying to galvanise everyone, this is probably as bad as it gets. Can we turn things around? I hope we can.
“It shouldn’t affect the players that much and we’ll try to keep this away from them as best as we can, but yes, it’s a big challenge now in front of us.”
Lennon intends to gather his players round for a state of the nation address before setting off for Berkshire. He remains hopeful the worst of times will bring out the best of people and that his players will respond to a bit of adversity.
“I haven’t had chance to speak with them all yet but we will – maybe that will be an extra motivation or incentive?” he said.
“If you can come through this it would be a great achievement.
“It’s the motivation for me – I knew it was going to be difficult and in the last few weeks we’ve known this was going to be a tough season.
“But yes, with all this in the background it would be a great achievement to get out of it.
“We are not playing badly. We are keeping clean sheets so we just need to turn things round at the other end and score goals when we’re on top.
“If we can do that, we’ll be fine.”
Though Wanderers are hardly going to Reading in the best frame of mind, it may be encouraging to know that their opponents may also have experienced some upheaval by the time they get to the Madejski Stadium.
Last night Steve Clarke looked to be on the verge of quitting the club after 11 months in charge to join Fulham, which would come as some blow to a club that invested heavily in new players over the summer in an effort to get back into the play-off picture.
“It could work for or against us and we will have to take advantage if they have no manager in,” reasoned Lennon. “Maybe they are in a bit of turmoil themselves?”
Shola Ameobi looks set to lead the line tomorrow with Gary Madine struggling to overcome a rib injury sustained in the previous game against Bristol City.
Stephen Dobbie is also a major doubt although Mark Davies – who had also reported some issues after the 0-0 draw at the Macron a fortnight ago – should be fit to play.
Dean Moxey, who had been one of the more consistent performers earlier in the season, continues his absence with a toe injury.
Lennon hopes to have the experienced defender back in action soon.
“He picked up the injury in August then played for four to six weeks with injections; getting through games and not training,” he explained. “But he is out on the grass again so shouldn’t be far away.”
Lennon’s short-term aim is stability and that involves getting the best out of a group of players who, regardless of the financial situation at Wanderers, have been underperforming this season.
“I need make sure they keep creating the chances,” Lennon said. “That’s important no matter how well or badly we are playing. Give players a belief to take those chances because we have created plenty.
“It only takes one or two to stick them in the net and hopefully the confidence will come back. I am not saying they are drained of confidence but they look a bit nervous in front of goal.
“They have got goals in them: Gary, Shola, Max (Clayton), Liam Feeney. I would like to see us pitching in from midfield with a few.
“Darren Pratley and Mark Davies are capable of doing that. If we can keep the clean sheets – and we have done okay in that department – I am sure the results will turn for us.”
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