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Neil Lennon has hit back at suggestion he left it too late to change the game at Birmingham City on Tuesday night.
The Wanderers boss came under fire from fans and pundits for waiting until six minutes before the final whistle to introduce attacking options Wellington Silva and Stephen Dobbie from the bench.
But Lennon has defended his decision to hold tight at St Andrew’s and felt his side were still in the game at 1-0 going into the closing stages.
“I thought we were in the ascendancy for large parts of the second half, and then when you do make changes you leave yourself open to break-aways and counters,” Lennon argued. “Chubs (Paul Rachubka) had to make a great save later on when we did have two subs on the pitch.
“We did think about making changes earlier but thought we were okay, on the front foot.
“We didn’t work the goalkeeper enough, regardless of whether we made changes or not.”
Lennon’s use of substitutes has come under increased analysis in recent weeks, not least in the closing stages of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with QPR when some feel the Northern Irishman should have used his remaining option to waste some time before Matt Phillips eventually snatched an equaliser.
That debate continued into Tuesday night. After losing centre-back Dorian Dervite to injury in the first half against Birmingham the Whites boss introduced midfielder Neil Danns, which in turn displaced Josh Vela and Derik Osede.
Lawrie Wilson – a specialist full-back – was overlooked and has still not featured since the defeat at Huddersfield Town in September last year.
But fans may be surprised to find out that Lennon’s substitutes this season have contributed to 19.4 per cent – almost one in every five – of Wanderers’ goals this season, higher than any other Championship club.
Lennon says his major problems were in attack. Missing Gary Madine, left behind after an internal disciplinary matter, and the injured Emile Heskey, Zach Clough was forced to play in an unfamiliar role up front alone for much of the game.
The lack of support given to Clough was a concern, and the manager continues to bemoan a lack of a proven goal-scorer in his squad.
“That spell after half time Liam put a couple of decent crosses in – but that lack of cutting edge has been our problem all season and particularly away from home,” he said, as the wait for an away win stretched to 23 games.
“You could say we were missing players at Birmingham but we haven’t exactly been blessed with prolific goalscorers all season.
“Heskey was a miss, we really missed that physical presence.
“We haven’t had that type. Since Adam Le Fondre went – and I think he ended up with eight in 15 – we have been lacking someone with those qualities.”
Lennon remains confident his side will survive in the Championship.
“I think we played very well (at Birmingham) – the attitude from the players has been fantastic. It was just one momentary lapse that has cost us the game.
“We knew we were going into the game a little lightweight but the players gave it everything they had.
“We are playing a lot better than we were two months ago, or at any stage of the season. Yes, we are running out of games but we are not panicking just yet.
“There is still a lot of football to go but we need to start putting some of these performances into wins.
“And I don’t think we’re a million miles away from doing that.”
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The Wanderers boss came under fire from fans and pundits for waiting until six minutes before the final whistle to introduce attacking options Wellington Silva and Stephen Dobbie from the bench.
But Lennon has defended his decision to hold tight at St Andrew’s and felt his side were still in the game at 1-0 going into the closing stages.
“I thought we were in the ascendancy for large parts of the second half, and then when you do make changes you leave yourself open to break-aways and counters,” Lennon argued. “Chubs (Paul Rachubka) had to make a great save later on when we did have two subs on the pitch.
“We did think about making changes earlier but thought we were okay, on the front foot.
“We didn’t work the goalkeeper enough, regardless of whether we made changes or not.”
Lennon’s use of substitutes has come under increased analysis in recent weeks, not least in the closing stages of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with QPR when some feel the Northern Irishman should have used his remaining option to waste some time before Matt Phillips eventually snatched an equaliser.
That debate continued into Tuesday night. After losing centre-back Dorian Dervite to injury in the first half against Birmingham the Whites boss introduced midfielder Neil Danns, which in turn displaced Josh Vela and Derik Osede.
Lawrie Wilson – a specialist full-back – was overlooked and has still not featured since the defeat at Huddersfield Town in September last year.
But fans may be surprised to find out that Lennon’s substitutes this season have contributed to 19.4 per cent – almost one in every five – of Wanderers’ goals this season, higher than any other Championship club.
Lennon says his major problems were in attack. Missing Gary Madine, left behind after an internal disciplinary matter, and the injured Emile Heskey, Zach Clough was forced to play in an unfamiliar role up front alone for much of the game.
The lack of support given to Clough was a concern, and the manager continues to bemoan a lack of a proven goal-scorer in his squad.
“That spell after half time Liam put a couple of decent crosses in – but that lack of cutting edge has been our problem all season and particularly away from home,” he said, as the wait for an away win stretched to 23 games.
“You could say we were missing players at Birmingham but we haven’t exactly been blessed with prolific goalscorers all season.
“Heskey was a miss, we really missed that physical presence.
“We haven’t had that type. Since Adam Le Fondre went – and I think he ended up with eight in 15 – we have been lacking someone with those qualities.”
Lennon remains confident his side will survive in the Championship.
“I think we played very well (at Birmingham) – the attitude from the players has been fantastic. It was just one momentary lapse that has cost us the game.
“We knew we were going into the game a little lightweight but the players gave it everything they had.
“We are playing a lot better than we were two months ago, or at any stage of the season. Yes, we are running out of games but we are not panicking just yet.
“There is still a lot of football to go but we need to start putting some of these performances into wins.
“And I don’t think we’re a million miles away from doing that.”
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