Coyle: We've made progress - 7M sport

Coyle: We've made progress



Posted Saturday, November 26, 2011 by PA

Bolton boss Owen Coyle insists the club have made massive strides during his two years in charge.

Coyle often recounts how the Trotters were second from bottom and in dire danger of relegation when he completed a controversial switch from Burnley to succeed Gary Megson in January 2010.

The problem is Bolton are now only one place higher after a difficult start to the campaign, when a run of tough fixtures against the Premier League's big guns was followed by a succession of injuries which have bitten deep into Coyle's squad.

However, ahead of Saturday's showdown with Everton at the Reebok Stadium, no matter what the statistics might say, Coyle is adamant progress has been made.

And he is utterly convinced that when the final standings are confirmed in May, Bolton will be nowhere near the relegation zone.

"There has been huge improvement at this club," said Coyle. "We are two years down the line and the things we have put in place in terms of infrastructure have made it a better place.

"I have to stress, where we are at the moment is due to a number of things, some of which are out of our control. What I have to do is see through that and look at the bigger picture.

"It is not bravado, I know that by the end of the season, we will not be in the bottom three."

However, Coyle does recognise his defiance counts for only so much.

Normally one of the most careful managers in the Premier League with his statements, it says a lot that Coyle declared himself to be angry with his side's second-half performance at West Brom last week.

By tossing away a winning position, Bolton cost themselves a long-awaited back-to-back victory, ruining the momentum generated the previous week when they put five goals past Stoke.

It is the type of inconsistency any manager would find frustrating and Coyle accepts it must be eradicated.

"It is fine me talking about us being good enough to move up the league. We have to deliver," he said.

"The players have shown in some of their performances how good they can be. We have to bring that to the table on a consistent basis.

"Getting some of our top players back would help.

"In the meantime we soldier on. Yes, there is an element of frustration, that goes hand in hand with the job.

"But there is a wider aspect to all this. We are at a wonderful football club with a tremendous history and tradition. We will make sure we continue that."

With young defender Joe Riley ruled out by a hamstring strain, Coyle is crossing his fingers on-loan Dedryck Boyata recovers from an ankle injury which has kept him out for a month.

Everton manager David Moyes is confident Tim Cahill will end his lengthy goal drought soon and return to the form which made him one of the most prolific midfielders in the Barclays Premier League.

The Australia international has not scored for the Toffees since December 20 last year.

He came close to ending that run in last weekend's 2-1 win over Wolves but did not connect properly with his six-yard shot and saw the effort blocked by defender Stephen Ward and goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.

Moyes accepts Cahill, 32 in a fortnight, has not been at his best since January but has no concerns about the player.

"It has been difficult for Tim," said the Scot. "He has not really recovered correctly since he came back from the Asian Cup last season and he has found it quite tough since then.

"I have no doubt his goals will come - he will get his goals; he has got them every other year and I've no reason to think he won't.

"The sooner he starts the better but I believe he will get his usual tally of between eight and 10 goals a season."

Last weekend's much-needed win saw Everton come from behind with a goal by Phil Jagielka from a free-kick by Leighton Baines, who then scored the winning penalty.

Midfielder Jack Rodwell missed the Wolves win with a rib injury sustained on duty with the England senior side.

Defenders Phil Neville (hamstring) and Sylvain Distin (groin) were also not available a week ago and will be assessed before the game.

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