‘United’ Bolton eke out another victory

SOMETIME in the near future, Bolton’s presence on the fringes of the top four will demand Owen Coyle’s side shed the tag of unexpected over-achievers that has attached itself to them so far this season.

Wanderers marked the halfway point in the season with an admittedly fortunate victory over West Brom that was achieved on the back of goals from Matthew Taylor and Johan Elmander and, arguably most importantly, an impressive defensive display in the face of considerable pressure.

A lucky win when a team isn’t doing well, on this occasion Coyle was entitled to highlight the positives of achieving victory when below your best while rightly pointing out that his side’s threat in front goal, much more significant than in recent seasons, meant they were always likely to pull off this kind of win.