Coyle: Home form can keep us up

14 March 2010 11:04
A 4-0 thrashing of their near-neighbours stretched the Trotters' unbeaten home run to six games in all competitions in the process easing their relegation worries following a storming second-half display.[LNB]Kevin Davies, Fabrice Muamba and substitute Matt Taylor all found the target following the break after Johan Elmander had made the breakthrough in the 10th minute.[LNB]With matches to come in quick succession against Everton, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Chelsea, Coyle knew it was imperative they got points on the board today.[LNB]He said: "When I took the job I believed I could keep Bolton in the league. The short-term aim was to do that. We have taken a step along that road.[LNB]"It was all about getting the three points. To get it on the back of an accomplished performance was terrific.[LNB]"I thought the players desire and their hunger to get about the game, the quality they showed at times was very pleasing.[LNB]"I pride myself on making sure we have a terrific home record. In my tenure here we have lost one game and that was against Arsenal in my first match.[LNB]"This was a massive victory and gives us a bit of breathing space. That is all it does. We now have to focus on the games coming up and go and earn points."[LNB]It was Muamba's first goal for the club since arriving in the summer of 2008 from Birmingham and Coyle is pleased with the way the 21-year-old is progressing.[LNB]Coyle said: "I thought the quality of the goal was outstanding, the stepover and then the finish. My only concern was when he started running towards me.[LNB]"I thought surely he is not going to jump me, knowing my physique. I managed to cope with that all right. I was so delighted for him.[LNB]"I have tried to encourage him to be positive and bring all the qualities he has. He has been outstanding for me since I came here. There is so much scope for him.[LNB]"He is a young English player which is brilliant and he is getting better and better."[LNB]Wigan manager Roberto Martinez was stunned at his side's lacklustre display, which came in the wake of a superb victory against Liverpool.[LNB]But the Spaniard felt that Hugo Rodallega should have been awarded a penalty before Bolton scored, and that the one awarded to the home side, which saw Davies slot home from the spot, following Gary Caldwell's challenge on Tamir Cohen was harsh.[LNB]Martinez said: "It was a huge, huge shock because the nature of the goals were really soft. That is the top and bottom.[LNB]"You can't win football games if you concede the nature of the goals we did. I felt that once the first goal went in it was a big ask.[LNB]"The game went away from us and got harder and we looked a little bit mentally drained. Maybe the Monday performance affected us that way.[LNB]"I felt there two key moments in the game. The possible penalty in the first half we did not get for the foul on Rodallega and the one in the second half.[LNB]"Zat Knight didn't get the ball and Hugo would not go down like that when he could have shot at goal.[LNB]"You look at the penalty Bolton got and the one we didn't get, there was an inconsistency."[LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk