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Neil Lennon is ready to put his faith in Jermaine Beckford, backing the striker to find the net sooner rather than later.
Rejuvenated Wanderers face Norwich City in a televised clash at Carrow Road tonight knowing victory would lift them out of the bottom three at least until Saturday evening when nearest rivals Brighton face Bournemouth.
Beckford has led the line in each of Lennon’s three games in charge and looks set to keep his place against the Canaries despite failing to score in his last 15 Championship outings.
The former Leeds United poacher did score twice against Crewe in the Capital One Cup but chances were brief under previous boss Dougie Freedman.
Lennon restored him to the line up but nevertheless Beckford could surpass 10 hours of playing time without a league goal against Norwich.
Unperturbed, the Northern Irishman insists an improvement in other areas of the 30-year-old’s game mean he is still an asset.
“He’s really given himself up for the team and his attitude has really pleased me,” he told The Bolton News. “I know he’s got goals in him and maybe he’s one of those that once he gets one goes on a streak, I don’t know, but we’re going to be patient with him that’s for sure.
“Anyone at the game on Saturday against Brentford will have seen his work-rate is fantastic – his closing down was fantastic and it gave us something to build on.
“He has had a couple of chances and snatched at them but I know that will change for him.”
Craig Davies is the only Whites striker to score since Lennon’s arrival and though the manager could come face-to-face with Gary Hooper – the man linked heavily with a move to the Macron Stadium in recent weeks – he is not unduly concerned with the form of his front men.
“I think some people make more of it then me,” he said.
“Joe Mason and Jermaine were night and day in the second half compared to how they were in the first half against Brentford.
“They gave us a platform to go and play a lot better so if they give me that attitude and work-rate the goals will come because they’ve got it in them.
“Joe has only had one game under us and maybe Jermaine has had to do more for the team than the selfish striker – not that he is – but that we perceive them to be.
“But I am not worrying about it.”
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Rejuvenated Wanderers face Norwich City in a televised clash at Carrow Road tonight knowing victory would lift them out of the bottom three at least until Saturday evening when nearest rivals Brighton face Bournemouth.
Beckford has led the line in each of Lennon’s three games in charge and looks set to keep his place against the Canaries despite failing to score in his last 15 Championship outings.
The former Leeds United poacher did score twice against Crewe in the Capital One Cup but chances were brief under previous boss Dougie Freedman.
Lennon restored him to the line up but nevertheless Beckford could surpass 10 hours of playing time without a league goal against Norwich.
Unperturbed, the Northern Irishman insists an improvement in other areas of the 30-year-old’s game mean he is still an asset.
“He’s really given himself up for the team and his attitude has really pleased me,” he told The Bolton News. “I know he’s got goals in him and maybe he’s one of those that once he gets one goes on a streak, I don’t know, but we’re going to be patient with him that’s for sure.
“Anyone at the game on Saturday against Brentford will have seen his work-rate is fantastic – his closing down was fantastic and it gave us something to build on.
“He has had a couple of chances and snatched at them but I know that will change for him.”
Craig Davies is the only Whites striker to score since Lennon’s arrival and though the manager could come face-to-face with Gary Hooper – the man linked heavily with a move to the Macron Stadium in recent weeks – he is not unduly concerned with the form of his front men.
“I think some people make more of it then me,” he said.
“Joe Mason and Jermaine were night and day in the second half compared to how they were in the first half against Brentford.
“They gave us a platform to go and play a lot better so if they give me that attitude and work-rate the goals will come because they’ve got it in them.
“Joe has only had one game under us and maybe Jermaine has had to do more for the team than the selfish striker – not that he is – but that we perceive them to be.
“But I am not worrying about it.”
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