Bolton Wanderers currently sit bottom of the Barclay’s Premier League table after accumulating just nine points out of a possible 48 in their opening 16 games.
All eyes are on tomorrow’s derby match away at fellow strugglers Blackburn after rumours circulated that implied the losing manager would face the sack!
Owen Coyle was appointed manager of Bolton Wanderers on the 8th January 2010. Since then, he’s enjoyed a checkered spell at the helm of the Trotters.
Coyle took over the managerial role from Gary Megson after a run of poor performances early in the 2009/2010 season.
At first, the notoriously likeable scot took to the job well, recording two consecutive 14th place finishes, a far cry from the dismal days under Megson. Last season in fact, the Wanderers spent the majority of the season in the top half of the table, until a run of poor results saw them slip gradually down the table.
This season however, has been a completely a different story. The Whites got off to an unbelievable start, beating newly promoted QPR away from home at Loftus Road by four goals to nil. Even Roman Abramovich’s Chelsea couldn’t match this feat! The following weekend, Coyles’ men fought valiantly but to no avail at home to new British powerhouse Manchester City in an enthralling game which finished 3-2.
The disappointment of the City result seemed to tarnish levels of belief at the club. Since then, they have slumped to the bottom of the pile, suffering 12 defeats and managing just two wins; away at Wigan and at home to Stoke.
Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at the hands of Fulham at Craven Cottage seemed to cement the idea that the club has now entered crisis point. Coyle cut a dejected figure at the full-time whistle. Speaking after the game, the Bolton boss said: “Inside it is absolutely killing me. I have a positive mindset, but this is a horrible time.”
The away defeat has prompted the circulation of rumours that suggest if either side are to lose the bottom-of-the-table clash at Ewood Park tomorrow night, the respective manager will be out of work for the New Year period, making it one of the most important Premier League matches of the current season.
Coyle has already highlighted the significance of the tie himself. “The Blackburn game is our biggest of the season,” he said. “If we can get a result it could give us the platform to go on and do something over the next five or six games.” One would imagine he’s aware of the fact that victory remains his only hope of avoiding the fate of being bottom at Christmas.
Bolton have long been famed for their fighting instinct and never-say-die attitude. All of this will need to be on show ahead of what is a day of reckoning for Bolton Wanderers, if they are to enjoy a twelfth consecutive season in the top-flight of English Football next year.
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