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Andy Lonergan has been backed to beat off stiff competition and be Wanderers’ Christmas number one.
The in-form keeper, who brought off a string of saves to preserve a 1-0 win over Huddersfield Town at the weekend, has been given a glowing recommendation by team-mate Darren Pratley.
Adam Bogdan made his comeback in last night’s development squad game against Middlesbrough – which also saw Eidur Gudjohnsen figure – and is now ready to challenge Lonergan for a place in Neil Lennon’s side.
But Pratley believes Lonergan will continue in goal after failing to get a fair crack of the whip under previous management.
“He’s had a rough ride,” the midfielder told The Bolton News. “He’s played well in games and then been taken out of the team, sometimes unfairly.
“We’ve got some good goalkeepers here and sometimes Lonners has been our best player but under the other regime he’s been taken out, even though other people haven’t been fit.
“He has kept his place and the manager likes him, so I hope he continues.”
Pratley – himself in fine form – saw first-hand Lonergan’s best save on Saturday as he denied former Wanderers loanee Jacob Butterfield from close range.
“It was 0-0, Butterfield got on the end of it, I was there and it was past me, I thought it was a goal,” he recalled.
“For him to save that, the form he’s in at the moment, it was one of the best I’ve seen.
“He’s enjoying his football, his wife had a little baby girl the other day so I’m pleased for him.”
Wanderers won’t be getting carried away despite now putting three points between themselves and the relegation zone with a fourth consecutive home win on the spin.
Even if thoughts have started to drift towards an assault on the top six in the New Year, Pratley suggests Lennon would bring things quickly back into focus.
“The manager wouldn’t let us,” he said. “When you hear him on the touchline, he isn’t patting us on the back and saying we’re doing well.
“The way he is, he keeps us grounded. He will tell us what we did wrong against Huddersfield and will want improvement. He’s not someone who is going to come and give us a cuddle.
“I think he gave Lonners a hug at the end but I don’t know how affectionate it was – he might have pinched him as well.
“As long as we’re working hard, we don’t need pats on the back.”
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The in-form keeper, who brought off a string of saves to preserve a 1-0 win over Huddersfield Town at the weekend, has been given a glowing recommendation by team-mate Darren Pratley.
Adam Bogdan made his comeback in last night’s development squad game against Middlesbrough – which also saw Eidur Gudjohnsen figure – and is now ready to challenge Lonergan for a place in Neil Lennon’s side.
But Pratley believes Lonergan will continue in goal after failing to get a fair crack of the whip under previous management.
“He’s had a rough ride,” the midfielder told The Bolton News. “He’s played well in games and then been taken out of the team, sometimes unfairly.
“We’ve got some good goalkeepers here and sometimes Lonners has been our best player but under the other regime he’s been taken out, even though other people haven’t been fit.
“He has kept his place and the manager likes him, so I hope he continues.”
Pratley – himself in fine form – saw first-hand Lonergan’s best save on Saturday as he denied former Wanderers loanee Jacob Butterfield from close range.
“It was 0-0, Butterfield got on the end of it, I was there and it was past me, I thought it was a goal,” he recalled.
“For him to save that, the form he’s in at the moment, it was one of the best I’ve seen.
“He’s enjoying his football, his wife had a little baby girl the other day so I’m pleased for him.”
Wanderers won’t be getting carried away despite now putting three points between themselves and the relegation zone with a fourth consecutive home win on the spin.
Even if thoughts have started to drift towards an assault on the top six in the New Year, Pratley suggests Lennon would bring things quickly back into focus.
“The manager wouldn’t let us,” he said. “When you hear him on the touchline, he isn’t patting us on the back and saying we’re doing well.
“The way he is, he keeps us grounded. He will tell us what we did wrong against Huddersfield and will want improvement. He’s not someone who is going to come and give us a cuddle.
“I think he gave Lonners a hug at the end but I don’t know how affectionate it was – he might have pinched him as well.
“As long as we’re working hard, we don’t need pats on the back.”
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