Tuesday 21 April 2015 11:16, UK
Bolton manager Neil Lennon insists he is optimistic about the club’s future despite admitting more financial cuts will have to be made this summer, impacting on their transfer business.
The 43-year-old former Celtic boss is looking forward to restructuring his squad, having taken the group he inherited from Dougie Freedman in October to 17th in the Championship, with two games remaining.
Lennon wants to tie down key players Emile Heskey, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Adam Bogdan to new contracts, as well as improve the side defensively and bring more youngsters through from the academy.
“Overall, it’s been a disappointing season considering the start we made when we came in,” Lennon told Sky Sports.
“But I’m optimistic about the future because this is a great club and there’s huge potential to build on.
We need to improve at both ends of the pitch... I want a minimum of five new players, hopefully more.
“We are talking about the budget for next year and working away in the background for next season. We will have to make cuts again, but obviously I want to put my own stamp on the club and bring in the type of players that I want.
'Revelation'
“We need to improve both ends of the pitch. Adam Le Fondre has come in and been an excellent acquisition, but we need to look at the defence now and tightening that end up. I want a minimum five, hopefully more, new players.
“We’ve been here since October and the only players we’ve brought in have been Heskey and Gudjohnsen. We haven’t spent any money, but we’ve seen the emergence of some young players through the academy.
“We had two on the pitch in the last game in Thomas Walker and Oscar Threlkeld, who we’ve got high hopes for. We’ve got Zach Clough, who has been a revelation this season, and Josh Vela has done very well.
“But with that youth you obviously want to bring some experience into the team as well, because it’s a monster of a league. I don’t think we’re far away and we’re excited about next season.”
Lennon spent four years as manager of Celtic, winning three Scottish Premier League titles and two Scottish Cups, prior to joining Bolton and he admits the Championship has been a tough league to get used to.
But he said: “This has been a different challenge altogether and one I’ve really enjoyed. It’s a different skill set. I was at a dominant team with Celtic.
“I’m learning as I go along and I think the Championship is a great league. The quality is still a bit to match the Premier League obviously, but it’s one of the best leagues in the world in terms of competitiveness. On any given day, anyone can beat anyone else.”
