Source: Team_Talk
Coyle: Pep talk had desired effect
Owen Coyle was delighted to see his "choice words" have the desired effect as Bolton came from behind to win 2-1 at Stoke on Saturday.[LNB] Wanderers took a massive step toward survival in the Premier League after Matthew Taylor's late brace at the Britannia Stadium moved them seven points of the bottom three.[LNB]Yesterday's result seemed unlikely after a first half the Potters had dominated, Dave Kitson giving them the lead in the 13th minute after latching onto Tuncay's pass and rounding Jussi Jaaskelainen.[LNB]But Bolton emerged after the break with all guns blazing and Taylor turned the match around, drawing things level with a free-kick five minutes from time before netting the winner three minutes later.[LNB]Coyle labelled Wanderers' first-half performance "unacceptable", but having let his players know it, the manager was pleased to see them make amends in the second period.[LNB]"The first half I felt we were as poor as we have been, certainly since I have come here," Coyle said.[LNB]"But if you're asking where did the win come from, you just have to watch the second half.[LNB]"I thought we should have equalised before we did and there is no doubt in my mind that we were the team in the ascendancy.[LNB]"I thought the second-half performance was of a very high standard and if you analyse it, I think we merited the three points - accepting it was very late, but that is the nature of football."[LNB]He continued: "My focus (at half-time) was on trying to get back into the game, one I still believed we could win.[LNB]"I genuinely believed that and the players will tell you, because they know what I had to say to them.[LNB]"There was certainly one or two choice words used, because I felt they were well below what they can offer for this football club.[LNB]"The way we were losing in the first half wasn't acceptable for me, but we answered that in the second half and I thought the response was outstanding from each and every one of them."[LNB]The win takes Bolton up to 14th and seven points clear of the drop zone with three games to play, but Coyle is in no mood to relax just yet.[LNB]"Until we are mathematically safe, it certainly is never enough," Coyle said.[LNB]"Hull have a game in hand against Aston Villa and they will try and get points there.[LNB]"It is a big, big ask (to survive) because we know every team down there is fighting for their lives.[LNB]"What we have to do is go and try and get more points - two of our last three games are at home. It is really in our own hands and the sooner we get those points the better."[LNB]Stoke boss Tony Pulis noted that referee Stuart Attwell seemed to pause before awarding the free-kick that led to Bolton's equaliser.[LNB]"What surprised me was the hesitation," Pulis said.[LNB]"If it's a free-kick, it's a free-kick and he's seen it. Why does he let it run for two or three seconds, then bring it back? But we have to take it on the chin."[LNB]Pulis also claimed the officials had got it wrong in the first half when he was adjudged to have handled the ball before it had gone out of play.[LNB]He said: "The linesman said the ball hadn't gone out of play and how he can say that is just amazing.[LNB]"It was a drop-ball because I apparently encroached on the pitch. The ball was definitely out."[LNB]Pulis said he had no problem with Tuncay - who went straight down the tunnel after being substituted in the second half - but stressed he would not hesitate to make the same decision again.[LNB]"It makes no difference - if I have to take him off next week, I'll take him off," Pulis said.[LNB]"If by doing that he thinks that is going to affect me and what I do, that won't be the case - I will always do what is best for the team."
