Coyle: Muamba will overcome criticism

olton manager Owen Coyle has no doubts Fabrice Muamba will forget the furore surrounding his challenge on Wigan's James McCarthy. It is unfortunate for midfielder Muamba that such an incident has come at a time when there has been considerable focus this season on ill-timed, reckless tackles.The 22-year-old has found himself in the spotlight for an attempt to win the ball in last Saturday's 1-1 draw at the DW Stadium that certainly lacked timing, although many agree was far from over the top.Rising Scottish star McCarthy, however, sustained serious ankle ligament damage which means he is unlikely to return until some time late in January, a situation boss Roberto Martinez has claimed to be "a footballing crime".Coyle, though, is convinced Muamba has the mental strength to put the matter to one side when he lines up in tomorrow's Barclays Premier League clash with Liverpool at the Reebok Stadium."Everybody knows the tackle wasn't malicious," said Coyle."Fabrice is a great kid. He's a very good player, and he'll be focused on doing his job for Bolton, it's as simple as that."Honestly, he is such a lovely kid, and he was genuinely disappointed and hurt by the fact young James was injured."I knew James as a young kid growing up in Glasgow, and he'll go on to have a glittering career."It's such a shame he is injured, but Fabrice went to win the ball, and unfortunately James has picked up an injury on the back of that."But that's the nature of the competition we play in. There are always going to be talking points, and obviously right now tackling and injuries are the main focus."You just have to deal with that the best you can."Coyle's side head into the game currently riding high in eighth in the table on the back of just one defeat from their opening nine matches.In stark contrast, opponents Liverpool are in the relegation zone, two places and three points off the foot of the table.Liverpool and under-pressure manager Roy Hodgson at least head into the game on the back of a win at home to Blackburn last Sunday that ended a wretched run of five matches without a victory.For Coyle, that potentially makes them a far more dangerous side as he said: "Their tails will be up."They will certainly be boosted by last week's result, so I'm sure they will be positive, trying to win the game."We know how hard it will be because of the quality we face, but we will also be on the front foot."My boys are in terrific form, they're playing well, so I'll ask the same of my group, that we give our maximum."If we do that then I'm sure we can go and earn points from this game."A settled squad, with only four players sidelined long term through injury, has aided Coyle's cause this season.As he concedes, with players champing at the bit to get a game, that has given him one of those pleasurable headaches managers enjoy."The difficult thing of late has been picking only 11 players to start recent games because of how well they have been doing," said Coyle."We don't have a big squad, in fact it's fair to say we probably have one of the smallest squads in the Premier League."But what we do have is a tight-knit squad, players who work for each other, who are pushing each other on every day in training."That for me as a manager is a good problem to have, and long may that continue."Coyle has confirmed striker Ivan Klasnic comes into consideration for the game with Liverpool.Klasnic, who was suspended for the game at Wigan, is available despite currently being on bail following his arrest on suspicion of rape earlier this week.

Source: Team_Talk