Shoogly peg?

[Bearman 9]

Lennon at a loss to explain lack of transfer funds at Bolton Wanderers

 

WANDERERS’ dire situation has taken another sinister turn after manager Neil Lennon insisted he was unaware of the reasons behind severe spending limitations placed on him in the transfer market.

 

Frustration at the Macron Stadium has hit unprecedented levels after Tuesday night’s 2-0 defeat against Ipswich Town, which leaves the club four points from safety heading into a home game against their nearest rivals Bristol City.

 

Calls for chairman Phil Gartside to address key issues about the club’s future have reached fever pitch – and The Bolton News has requested a meeting with the club’s hierarchy to try and put some information into the public domain.

 

All the while, impatience is also growing in the dressing room where Lennon has been unsuccessful in adding enough quality to his squad in the last few months, and says he is in the dark as to why.

 

A series of transfers have broken down in the final stages – with the indication being a lack of money has led to the manager missing out on top targets.

 

Lennon claims he is in the dark over exactly why he has had no cash to spend, or whether club owner Eddie Davies will look to make any further investment between now and January to safeguard Wanderers’ future in the Championship as he looks to sell.

 

“I’ve never been told why,” the Northern Irishman said. “It’s just a lack of revenue. There’s not a lot I can control.

 

“But we need a little bit of help. I think that’s apparent after what we saw (at Ipswich).”

 

Lennon has previously revealed a lack of dialogue with Davies over transfer policy – and his latest admission serves to increase the uncertainty surrounding the day-to-day running of the club, and what its short-term future may hold.

 

On the field, Lennon’s management is coming under increased criticism after Wanderers’ poor form stretched to one win in 15 attempts in the league.

 

The manager confronted his players at Portman Road on Tuesday night with some home truths after many fell way below the standard he demands.

 

“Players need to look at their own level of performance and ask themselves: ‘am I earning my corn here?’ On the basis of that, the answer is no,” he said.

 

“I’ve spoken to them quite coldly and told them the truth.

 

“Whether some of them are good enough at this level is a question mark.

 

“Can I change it? No. I have to work with these players.

 

“But I expect more than I am getting at the moment. They are capable of better.

 

“I find it unacceptable to see my players get out-muscled and out-worked. It is not a reflection of me as a person, as a player or as a manager.

 

“It’s not what I want from my players.”