Lennon’s in for the long haul – a team overhaul
BOLTON boss Neil Lennon says his club has a mountain to climb if Wanderers are to achieve his ambitions following a disappointing defeat to Gary Rowett’s Birmingham.
Lennon looked on as his players failed to overhaul Robert Tesche’s only goal of the game and afterwards said he will delve into the transfer market as soon as possible to avoid a repeat of this season’s lowly finish.
But opposite number Rowett had plenty to shout about after watching his Blues win their last three games and vowed to take their momentum into the next campaign.
“It was disappointing for the season to end this way because our home form has been good,” Lennon said.
“We weren’t good enough to break them down which is symptomatic of our season – we showed promise but fizzled out.
“There is a mountain of work to do in terms of where we want to take the club.
“It was important to get over the line in terms of staying up but we’ve had a lot of injuries which have bitten us really hard. It was a bit mix and match towards the end of the season and I don't want to go through that again so it is important we start recruitment straight away.”
Eidur Gudjohnsen had an eighth-minute sighter saved by City goalkeeper Darren Randolph.
Adam Bogdan gathered Tesche's 15th-minute strike at the other end before a Mark Davies shot went wide of the upright from just outside the Birmingham penalty area.
Emile Heskey flicked a header inches past the post when he rose to meet Adam Le Fondre’s cross.
But it was Birmingham who took the lead when Tesche rifled in a rebound at the near post from Demarai Gray’s corner.
Tesche should arguably have doubled the visitors’ advantage on the stroke of half-time.
Bogdan’s punched clearance fell to him 25 yards out but Tesche dragged his effort wide with the goalkeeper floored.
With referee Mark Brown departing proceedings at the break, Steven Rushton took charge and spotted his assistant's offside flag when Gudjohnsen thought he had scored a 47th-minute equaliser.
Gray’s shot cleared the Bolton crossbar by a whisker but Trotters substitute Liam Feeney could only snatch at a 75th minute effort which went over the crossbar as the game petered out.
Birmingham manager Rowett said: “It is a really pleasing way to end the season. The performances and the results have seen us move the ball well and look a controlled team with a real attacking threat about us.
“With a bit more composure and some better timing in the final third I think we should have gone on and scored one or two more.
“We are building something here and I think it could be really good. The players have bought into our ambition and not been over awed by me telling them I want to finish in the top ten.”