Coyle sure Bolton will be back

Last updated : 03 October 2011 By Team Talk

Coyle took encouragement from his side's second-half performance against Chelsea on Sunday, despite the 5-1 outcome in the Blues' favour.

Bolton's sixth successive league defeat since their convincing opening day win over QPR came following a poor first-half display in which the visitors to the Reebok Stadium scored four times without reply in the opening 27 minutes.

Daniel Sturridge and Frank Lampard both netted twice during that spell, with the last two of those four goals coming following errors by home goalkeeper Adam Bogdan.

Bolton limited the damage after the break with Dedryck Boyata pulling a goal back before Lampard completed a treble just before the hour to wrap up a convincing win for Chelsea.

Bolton have already had to play Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal as well as Chelsea in the league this term, but next up are neighbours Wigan, with games against Sunderland, Swansea, Stoke and West Brom to follow.

Coyle said: "We knew from the outset of the season that it was certainly a horrendous fixture list in terms of playing five of the teams that will finish in the top six, and we have come out of those games with no points.

"But we have to pick ourselves up - we are now going into a group of games that I certainly believe we can win points from and start to move up the league.

"You have to take your disappointments and the smacks in the teeth that come your way.

"I had a career of that as a player and if I get a bit of it now as a manager, then so be it."

Coyle pointed out that Bolton were denied a legitimate-looking goal when referee Peter Walton ruled Branislav Ivanovic had cleared away Kevin Davies' effort before it crossed the line.

But he accepted Bolton caused some of their own problems, as demonstrated by the moment Chelsea gained the lead.

"The biggest single thing in the game was the first goal," Coyle said.

"Nobody carved us open there - it was just a basic corner into the box and someone should be picking up, doing their job, but they never did.

"At 4-0 down it is a long way back, because their tails are up, but you have to address that, and we went in at half-time and I just asked them to show some pride - for themselves, for the club and for the fans, who were magnificent.

"In the second half they showed a lot of spirit and some good football, and scored two very good goals - the ball is clearly over the line.

"It wouldn't have affected the three points, but they certainly showed their desire and character."

Source: Team Talk

Source: Team Talk