Megson commits to buoyant Bolton

GARY MEGSON has endured some torrid days since assuming charge of Bolton, but this was not one of them.

A precious win was the perfect end to an afternoon which started with the announcement that Megson had signed a new 12-month rolling contract, 16 months after arriving.

Megson claimed he only did so because the Premier League authorities had forced the club’s hand on the matter.

“I had been working up until 10 days ago without signing anything although obviously I have been getting paid,” he said. “It was just a pre-requisite from the league. So I had to do what I was supposed to do.

“There is no difference to the way I have been working and gone about things. All I have done now is sign a bit of paper.”

Megson feels Bolton are on the right path after he managed to steer the side clear of relegation against the odds last season. He said: “I do not want to harp on about it but we were in a mess 16 months ago.

“I think 22 players have left and maybe 10 or 11 have come in. We are actually in the black. We have to get it right on the football pitch and financially. I feel we are doing that but we can’t afford to make too many mistakes financially. We can’t go bananas in one go.

“We are doing a little bit better than last season and have the opportunity to finish strongly and I certainly hope we do that.”

Gardner broke Newcastle’s resistance with a superb strike following a cross from Matt Taylor in the 46th minute.

That was enough to give Bolton victory and put them in good heart for the trip to Stoke on Wednesday.

Newcastle remain deep in trouble at the foot of the table, although caretaker manager Chris Hughton felt his side should have had a penalty when Jlloyd Samuel blocked Fabricio Coloccini’s effort.

Hughton said: “I thought the lad’s hands were out and it was one a lot of referees would have given.”

To add to Hughton’s woes, skipper Nicky Butt limped off with a knee injury while Damien Duff was sidelined with a calf problem.

BOLTON (4-4-2): Jaaskelainen 6, Steinsson 6, Cahill 6, A O’Brien 7, Samuel 7, M Davies 7, McCann 6, Muamba 4 (Gardner 46, 8), Taylor 6, K Davies 7, Elmander 6 (Smolarek 78, 5).

Subs Not Used: Al Habsi, Puygrenier, Makukula, Shittu, Basham.

NEWCASTLE (4-4-2): Harper 6, S Taylor 6, Coloccini 6, Bassong 7, Jose Enrique 6, Gutierrez 6, R Taylor 6, Butt 6 (Geremi 66, 5), Lovenkrands 5, Ameobi 6, Martins 6 (Viduka 78, 5).

Subs Not Used: Forster, Cacapa, Smith, Edgar, Carroll.

REFEREE: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire) 6: Scattered the cards a little liberally, but the game never got out of hand.

MATCH RATING: *** Better than the scoreline suggests, with plenty of chances for both sides.