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Bolton Wanderers' senior players cull has begun in earnest with the news that flying'winger Liam Feeney has joined Ipswich Town on loan for the rest of the season.
Feeney was the only player to have appeared in every game this season under former Wanderers manager Neil Lennon, who famously claimed he'd love a team of Liam Feeneys. But just two days after the Northern Irishman was dismissed, his favourite player has also followed him out of the exit door.
March 1st, 2016:
Neil Lennon makes a bold claim
"If I had 10 Liam Feeneys we'd be top two or three. There are days when he is not at his best, but for the majority of the season he has been excellent."
March 15th, 2016
Neil Lennon is sacked by Bolton Wanderers
Club statement. #BWFC part company with manager Neil Lennon by mutual consent.
— Bolton Wanderers FC (@OfficialBWFC) March 15, 2016
" https://t.co/aeaHz9gROp pic.twitter.com/3lXGRakEvM
March 17th, 2016
Liam Feeney promptly follows Lennon on the way out
Confirmed. @Feens11 has joined @Official_ITFC on loan for the remainder of the current campaign. #BWFC pic.twitter.com/ltWZ8LRQoW
— Bolton Wanderers FC (@OfficialBWFC) March 17, 2016
Whatever you think of Liam Feeney, the stats tell us that he's the club's second top scorer this season - with five goals - and leading assist maker - with six - in his 41 appearances, six more than any other Bolton player. However, his contract is up in the summer and Sports Shield were clearly keen to allow him to move on to pastures new and Ipswich are happy to take a gamble to boost their play-off hopes.
Feeney's absence will likely to lead to opportunities for some of our younger players like Tom Walker - or we'll be lumbered with seeing Emile Heskey or - kill me now - Stephen Dobbie trying to fill his place in the side.
Another player likely to be following Feeney on the way out of Bolton is Jay Spearing, after caretaker manager Jimmy Phillips revealed it's unlikely the midfielder will play again this season in this morning's press conference.
JP: I don't think we will be seeing Jay in a Bolton shirt again this season. #BWFC
— Bolton Wanderers FC (@OfficialBWFC) March 17, 2016
Good luck to Liam Feeney at Ipswich.