Under-fire Bolton boss Lee boosted by support
The former Liverpool coach is hoping his Bolton side get back on track when they face Rabotnicki in the UEFA Cup tonight.
Five defeats in six games have seen the club slump to the foot of the Premier League table.
Lee has come in for some fierce criticism but apparently there remains a lot of goodwill in the game towards him.
He said: “There were well-wishers at the start of the season and I have had regular phone calls from a number of people.
“I don’t want to name names but they have an appreciation of the pressure we are under.
“It is a pressurised job but one I have always wanted to do.
“I have been under pressure from the first game but with the help of the players I am coping admirably.
“Of course when results do not go your way it affects your confidence at the time. Then when I see the effort and commitment of the players it restores you.”
Midfielder Mikel Alonso insists Bolton are united in trying to kick-start their season.
He explained: “We are all in the same ship and the manager is doing his best.
“He has confidence in us and while it is clear we have not had a good start the UEFA Cup is a different experience.
“We are going to start from zero and it’s very important to get a good result in this competition.”
Bolton are in the UEFA Cup for the second time in three years and Lee believes a different environment could help get their season up and running.
But he appreciates that Rabotnicki, who lie joint top of the Macedonian league, could prove difficult opponents in this first round, first leg game.
He said: “This club have worked hard to qualify and the UEFA Cup is not a distraction.
“We are fully aware we have not had the best of starts and this is another opportunity to get our season going.
“These are games you look forward to and we have a number of players who already have European experience. Hopefully that will be to our advantage tomorrow.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
