Mental strength bothers Megson

Trotters boss calls on strikers to fulfil their potential

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 27th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Mental strength bothers Megson

Megson: Seeking cutting edge

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Bolton boss Gary Megson feels nerves are hindering the progress of his goal-shy side.

The Trotters have found the target just 15 times in the Premier League this season, while they have shipped 26 at the back.

Unsurprisingly, those statistics have led to the club enduring a difficult start to the season, and they currently sit inside the top flight relegation zone 12 games into the campaign.

Megson insists his side are better than they are showing at present, with performances in training giving him cause for optimism.

He admits, however, that too many of his attacking talents have frozen on the biggest stage and believes some of his players are struggling to cope with the demands being placed upon them.

He said: "It is like a golfer...you can knock six foot putts in until the cows come home in practice. It is entirely different doing it to win the Open.

"It is the same in football. In training the finishing is invariably good.

"But it is entirely different in a game when there are thousands of people about and that real intensity that surrounds Premier League football.

"Does it come down to mental strength? That's a big part of football, as it is in other sports."

Judged

He added: "It will always be the same for centre forwards throughout the world, not just at Bolton.

"You are judged as a forward on the goals you have scored. Johan (Elmander) has not scored enough. Two of our people, Kevin Davies and Matt Taylor, who got a decent amount of goals last season are not scoring.

"Matt looks like our best chance at the moment as he has got that goal threat in him."

Megson is now looking for his side to find their feet at Fulham this weekend, with the Trotters boss hoping to see some fighting spirit emerge from within his ranks.

He added: "The only thing that counts is results and picking up points. We are in the bottom three, so we either put the white flag up or roll our sleeves up.

"The latter is the thing we will do - as we have done it in the past. We know Fulham is a difficult place to go but we have to try and get out of this bad run."

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