Coyle staying upbeat

Bolton boss Owen Coyle has no time for pessimism and has stressed the importance of keeping a level head about his side's fortunes this season.

A disappointing campaign for Wanderers appeared to be picking up recently when they lost only once in eight games in all competitions, a sequence which included a 3-1 win over Liverpool and 0-0 draw with Arsenal.

However, those two encouraging Barclays Premier League results at the Reebok Stadium were followed by a 2-0 loss at Norwich and then last weekend's 2-1 home defeat to strugglers Wigan, which left the Trotters second-bottom of the table.

The team's predicament looks concerning but Coyle is not one to get down about things or let any sense of gloom around the club extend to his players.

Speaking ahead of Bolton's FA Cup fifth-round trip to Millwall on Saturday, Coyle said: "You will have people who want to be pessimistic but so be it - that is how a lot of people are. Of course it is disappointing and hurtful when you lose games or when you don't perform to the level you are capable of but the bottom line is it happens, you can't affect it and it is behind us.

"We are a point from safety in the league, we are in the last 16 in the cup and now we will look to go and win this cup tie to give us the momentum to move forward. We always remain true in our belief that we will remain in the Premier League - if people want to make more of it than what is there, it is up to them."