Davies is Bolton’s man on the spot

YOU’RE never too late to learn.

In his 18th season as a professional, Bolton’s inspirational captain Kevin Davies has added yet another string to his bow.

At the age of 32, Davies proved he is also an accomplished penalty taker. Bolton’s regular taker, Matt Taylor, was on the bench for this crushing defeat of fellow relegation candidates Wigan, so when Tamir Cohen was bundled over in the box by Gary Caldwell, Davies stepped up to the mark, sending Latics keeper Chris Kirkland the wrong way.

It was the first spot-kick of his career and it extended Bolton’s lead after Johan Elmander had opened the scoring after 10 minutes when he got away from Caldwell.

Fabrice Muamba, with his first goal for the club, and then Taylor sealed a victory which eased Wanderers’ relegation worries.

Davies said: “Matt has been out of the side and is our usual penalty taker. I’ve been thinking about practising in training and have had a bit of banter with him but never got round to it.

“But no-one seemed keen to take it. I felt confident, got the ball and because Chris went down early I managed to put it in the corner.

“It was a bit nerve-wracking but I was delighted it went in because it was an important goal at the time.”

Under manager Owen Coyle, Bolton are now unbeaten in six home games in all competitions and Davies was pleased with the character they displayed after losing by a similar margin to Sunderland in midweek.

“We took a bit of a thumping so to come back and beat Wigan after their victory over Liverpool was a great achievement,” he added.

“Since the manager took over, we’ve had only one disappointing performance. We have been creating lots of chances and in this game they all went in.”

Muamba celebrated his goal – a fine solo effort – by racing to embrace Coyle. Then Taylor took advantage of Caldwell’s inability to deal with Elmander’s flick-on to complete a rousing performance by Bolton.

With defender Gary Cahill due back in training next week following a blood clot on his arm, there is a feelgood factor in the camp.

The body language of the Wigan players as they trooped off the pitch told a different story, though. After the high of beating Liverpool last Monday, they were given a harsh lesson by their near neighbours.

It does not get any easier either with Aston Villa arriving at the DW Stadium tomorrow.

Manager Roberto Martinez wants a response, especially as his side are not out of relegation danger. He said: “There is no time to feel sorry for ourselves. We have a great opportunity on Tuesday to flush the feeling out of our system. We have to be more consistent.

“We are in the middle of a transitional period and sometimes to grow and fulfil your potential you have to go through painful moments and this game was one of them.

“I felt that once the first goal went in it was a big ask. The game went away from us and got harder and we looked a little bit mentally drained.”

MATCH RATING ** – Plenty of goals but an abject display by Wigan didn’t make it much of a contest.

REFEREE: Mike Dean (Wirral) 5 – Should Wigan have had a penalty when Zat Knight sent Hugo Rodallega tumbling just minutes into the game? Had Dean had a second look, perhaps things might have been different.