Owen Coyle is eager for his Bolton side to take the chance to secure survival this weekend.
Bolton boss eager to secure safety and avoid nervy run-in
Owen Coyle is eager for his Bolton side to take the chance to secure survival this weekend.
Last week's late win at Stoke put the Trotters eight points clear of the drop zone with three games remaining.
So Coyle's men host already-relegated Portsmouth on Saturday knowing victory will ensure a 10th successive season in the Premier League with two games to spare.
"We have a great opportunity to secure our status. It is in our hands," said the Bolton boss.
Survival target
"The only target I set when I came in was for Bolton to be out of the bottom three come the end of the season."
Having been a fans' favourite as a striker for Bolton, Coyle was a welcome appointment in January following the departure of Gary Megson.
Coyle left fellow strugglers Burnley to take charge and the Lancashire rivals have since experienced contrasting fortunes.
Bolton have taken 17 points from 17 games under Coyle's stewardship to climb from 18th to 14th, while Burnley have won just twice since his departure, slipping from 14th to 19th.
Before beating Stoke, Wanderers suffered four straight defeats against Everton, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Chelsea, and Coyle reckons they would already be safe if they earned the results their performances merited.
Proud
"It was down to fine margins and we still retained that belief," he said.
"We are worthy of more points than we are sitting with, but that is the nature of the Premier League. It is unforgiving.
"It really was a pivotal weekend (last week) and all credit to the players. Everyone raised their level of performance in the second half at Stoke. We have to replicate that display on Saturday.
"We have very proud players, very good players. They put themselves under their own pressure as they want to be the best they can be. That's what I like about them."
