Megson puts pressure in perspective

09 April 2009 16:04
Megson is on the brink of safeguarding the Trotters' top-flight status for another season, after last weekend's 4-1 thumping of Middlesbrough lifted them eight points clear of the relegation zone. Much has been made of the stresses of top-flight management in recent years, largely because of the increased margins between success and failure. But Megson said: "Yes, we are under pressure. But we're not surgeons, we're not doctors - there is not that kind of pressure. "We are well paid; we're in jobs we would do anyway - and right now there are a lot of people losing their jobs. So you don't want to try and make out as if you're really badly done to. "But we are in jobs where we have an 'AGM' every Saturday, and everyone has an opinion about what we do. "An opinion without any consequence remains an opinion - it's not a decision they have to make. "These are all things we, as managers, have to abide by and accept. That's the way that is it. "The pressure at the start of the season is about staying in the Premier League and then, you hope, going on from there. "But it's not the same kind of pressure as a lot of people have to cope with." Megson has struggled to win the affections of the Bolton public, but his achievements at the Reebok Stadium should not be overlooked. Last season he took over when the club were bottom of the table with a pitiful tally of five points from 10 games. Megson led the Trotters to safety after a dramatic late run of form, and this term they appear capable of surviving with relative ease. The former West Brom boss, 49, admits he is fed up of his side not receiving due credit for their performances, particularly after they thrashed Boro so comfortably last weekend. Megson - who takes his side to Chelsea on Saturday - added: "I was up early on Sunday morning doing something I don't normally do, which was watching Match of the Day, and I was a little bit peeved when I see our two goals from set-pieces highlighted as the reason why Middlesbrough lost. "Not a great deal was made about how Ricardo Gardner beat two players and put in the cross of the game, and our fourth goal was as good a goal as you will see in the Premier League all weekend. "I don't know if it has always been a problem at this club, but the players don't seem to get the amount of credit that I would expect."

Source: Team_Talk