Martin Petrov has warned Bolton not to get too carried away with their impressive start to the season.
Bolton's summer signing keen to keep up season's momentum
Martin Petrov has warned his Bolton team-mates not to get too carried away with their impressive start to the season.
The Trotters have been one of the surprise packages of this season and have catapulted themselves up to seventh in the table.
After their 1-0 defeat to Sunderland on Sunday, Owen Coyle now has the task of masterminding a win against West Brom on Boxing Day.
And with European qualification seemingly within their grasp the Bulgaria international has urged his colleagues to stay focused.
"We must concentrate because nothing is finished," he told the
Bolton Evening News. "We have 20 games left yet. But if we carry on going like this we will be okay.
"It's too early to start talking about Europe. But no one expected Bolton to be in seventh place at Christmas.
"We must concentrate for every game. All we are thinking about is the next match against West Brom; not towards Chelsea or Liverpool.
Big stars
"When we work like this, game to game, then we will do well.
"We don't have many big star names like other teams who spend too much money.
"We have one team, one family. It's hard, of course, but we are a team and that is the important thing."
At 31, the former Manchester City player has had his fair share of injuries, especially with his knees.
With the country currently in the grip of an extreme cold snap, Petrov knows his muscles are more susceptible to strains and pulls.
However, with age, comes the experience which is enabling the flying winger to take the right precautions to safeguard the longevity of his career.
Minus 20
"I played in Bulgaria with temperatures at minus 20 and with one metre of snow," he added.
"Nobody is happy if it's cold and snowy but there is nothing we can do.
"If you don't warm up properly before the game then you might struggle at the start. Maybe you concede three goals in the first 45 minutes and the game is finished."
He continued: "It is especially important for me with my knee problems. Before every game I do 30-40 minutes exercise for my knee and muscle.
"Other players have problems with their backs or ankles, it is normal. We are professionals.
"If you want to stay uninjured and play 40-45 games then you must do things properly.
"I know my body and I am not young like some of my team mates, I must be professional if I want to play for a long time in my career."
