Coyle: we will pay Blues ‘huge respect’

BOLTON manager Owen Coyle will not be fooled into thinking tonight’s trip to Chelsea will be anything other than difficult.

The champions appear unusually vulnerable as an outstanding calendar year for the Stamford Bridge club comes to an inglorious end.

Chelsea, five points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League two months ago, have hit crisis after winning just two of nine games and none of their last six.

That has seen the Blues slip to fifth and Bolton, revitalised under Coyle’s guidance, are just two points behind them.

But Coyle said: “I think going to Stamford Bridge at any time, with the quality Chelsea hold, is always a difficult ask.

“When we go there we expect a really tough game because of thequality they have, the strength in depth.

“There is no doubt come the end of the season Chelsea are going to be fighting out the major honours, that is for sure.

“We will pay them huge respect but I want my players to concentrate on what we can do and make a game of it. It is a game we will be ready for.”

This week marks a year since Gary Megson was sacked as Bolton manager with the team in the bottom three.

Former Wanderers striker Coyle took over in January after quitting Burnley and the progress since has been considerable.

Coyle’s side have rid the club of a reputation for physical and direct football by winning plaudits for their fluent – and effective – style.

That has put them in contention for a European place and Coyle prefers to look at potential rather than reflecting on any success so far.

He said: “I think there has been improvement from when I arrived in January compared to where we are now. We have to continue that and make sure we are on the front foot.”

Coyle’s first task was to steer the team clear of relegation and once achieved he then set about the job of reshaping the team.

“We believed we could improve. We’ve not had any money but we’ve tried to be creative. But football can change very quickly, particularly in the Barclays Premier League, because margins are very minimal, so we have to try to improve on that.”

Coyle, however, is short on numbers with South Korea winger Lee Chung-yong having now departed for the Asia Cup.

Coyle may now have only 17 fully-fit regular first-teamers available tonight.