Source: SKY_Sports
Megson rues defensive lapse
Gary Megson stressed the importance of defending set-pieces after his Bolton side suffered an opening-day defeat at home to Sunderland.
Darren Bent scored the only goal of the game for the Black Cats after Steed Malbranque crossed from a free-kick early in the contest.
Despite Sunderland having the lion's share of opportunities, the former West Brom manager did not accept that the Trotters were outplayed.
"It's bitterly disappointing," Megson told Sky Sports after the match.
"We spoke about the importance of set-pieces and Sunderland have scored a goal against us that didn't happen once in 38 games last season and once that's gone in it's given them something to hang on to.
"I thought in the first half that they were the better side, second half I thought we were, but we just couldn't force the equaliser.
"We had Gary Cahill's header right at the end of the first half; it was a terrific save from Fulop and of course right at the end of the game the shot from Sean Davis that just cannoned off Fulop.
"I thought they defended well but once you give a goal away like we did you're giving them something to hang on to."
Although Bolton seemed to lack the cutting edge in attack that would yield an equaliser, Megson said he was satisfied with the work rate and organisation of his side.
However, he did accept that Bolton need to be more clinical in front of goal if they are to succeed this season.
"When you're 1-0 down at home after six minutes it obviously takes the wind out of your sails a little bit and we took a while to regroup," he added.
"We didn't pass the ball well enough today, we didn't have enough performers who did as well as I would expect to enable us to get that result but we kept going.
"The work rate was there, the organisation was okay, we did have opportunities but they didn't go in for us today, but there's 37 games left to go and we've got to keep plugging away."