Bolton boss Gary Megson has not given up hope of avoiding the drop, starting at Boro on Saturday.
Trotters boss continuing to fight against relegation
Bolton boss Gary Megson has not given up hope of avoiding the drop, starting at Middlesbrough on Saturday.
The Trotters poor start meant Megson, who took over from Sammy Lee last October, has always faced an uphill battle to keep the side up.
A vital win against West Ham at the Reebok last Saturday has reduced the gap to Birmingham, and safety, to just two points with four games to go.
And Megson is not conceding relegation defeat just yet, saying: "I do not think any club with five points after ten games has avoided relegation.
"That is why we are finding it difficult to do so.
"However the relegation picture is like shifting sands. What we have to do is change for the better.
"A little bit of luck would help as well as I do not think we are the luckiest team in the division. But I do not want to make a big issue of that."
Good results
He added: "If we get the players organised and they work hard, with the ability they have, we should get good results.
"Certainly we went about the job in exemplary fashion last week, and the spirit has never been an issue here.
"We have given ourselves more of a chance of staying up now than before we kicked off against West Ham.
"While the result on its own has not achieved anything as such, it brought other clubs into the equation."
But Megson believes Middlesbrough will prove tough opponents on Saturday, saying: "I was surprised where they were earlier in the season.
"But I was not surprised they got out of trouble. They have a lot of good players and a strong squad.
"Middlesbrough have a number of international players and a lot of big money signings. It will be a hard game."
Bolton will be without suspended striker Kevin Davies for the game, with Heidar Helguson a possible replacement.
Step up
Asked if it was a good time for El-Hadji Diouf to rediscover his scoring touch in Davies' absence, Megson said: "Everyone needs to step up to the plate, not just him.
"We all know Diouf has turned matches in the past. There are some things he is good at, some things he is not so good at."
Ali Al Habsi is expected to continue in goal with Jussi Jaaskelainen sidelined through injury, despite the Oman international conceding four at Aston Villa.
Megson added: "I do not think any of those goals were down to him and I have been delighted with his performances.
"We saw how well he coped in the UEFA Cup against Bayern Munich and Red Star Belgrade.
"What we were not sure of was how he would do in the Premier League. But it is going really well and he is proving he is good at his job."
