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Gartside keeps the faith in Megson
17:45, Dec 11 2009
Bolton chairman Phil Gartside insists he still has faith in Gary Megson's qualities as manager.
Megson was given the task of preserving the club's Barclays Premier League status when Gartside appointed him as manager just over two years ago, and the decision was rewarded as Wanderers secured survival with an undefeated run at the end of the 2007-08 season. Bolton have had mixed fortunes since then but currently find themselves in trouble again having accrued just 12 points from their opening 14 matches this campaign.
Megson's team are second from bottom and pressure has been mounting on the manager ahead of Saturday's match against Manchester City, but Gartside told The Bolton News: "When Gary was appointed, I got a bloke who I wanted, and who could do what I wanted him to do."
He added: "Now those qualities that I believe he has got are still there. I want someone who can battle in situations when his back is against the wall, and getting muck and bullets thrown at him from here, there and everywhere. I want him to stand up and still be there.
"I don't want someone who is going to crumble because someone has shouted his name out in the wrong context at a football match. It needs to be someone with bottle and spirit, and that's what we have got."
Gartside admitted things had to improve and said the weight of expectancy was on everybody at the club.
He said: "None of us are stupid. If you are second bottom of the league, you are under pressure, whether it is the first game of the season, or four games before the end.
"That's the job and that's our territory. You have got to be able to absorb that pressure and react to it in the right way, not the wrong way.
"As long as that's happening, and as long as you are confident that you can deal with that pressure, that's a very important part of it."
Charnley inspires Wigan triumph 20:45, Feb 11 2012
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Spurs fans show Redknapp the love 20:45, Feb 11 2012
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France/Ireland clash called off 20:45, Feb 11 2012
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Adebayor inspires Spurs romp 19:45, Feb 11 2012
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England claim narrow Italy victory 18:45, Feb 11 2012
England dug themselves out of a snow-hole in freezing Rome to beat Italy 19-15 with another charge-down try from Charlie Hodgson and Owen Farrell's perfect kicking display. more
Chelsea suffer defeat at Everton 17:45, Feb 11 2012
Steven Pienaar and Denis Stracqualursi struck as Everton piled on the pressure for Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas with a 2-0 victory. more
Late Henry winner rescues Arsenal 17:45, Feb 11 2012
Substitute Thierry Henry marked the final league game of his loan spell at Arsenal with a last-gasp winner to see off Sunderland 2-1. more
McArthur clinches Wigan victory 17:45, Feb 11 2012
James McArthur boosted Wigan's survival hopes with a dramatic goal which handed the Latics a 2-1 win over fellow Barclays Premier League strugglers Bolton at the Reebok Stadium. more
Williams inspires Quins win 17:45, Feb 11 2012
Harlequins returned to winning ways as winger Tom Williams helped orchestrate a 30-23 victory over London Irish which extended their lead at the top of the Aviva Premiership. more
Fleming and Hutchins put GB ahead 16:45, Feb 11 2012
Great Britain moved to within one rubber of a fifth consecutive Davis Cup win under captain Leon Smith after Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins beat Michal Mertinak and Filip Polasek of Slovakia at Glasgow's Braehead Arena. more
Cold snap affects sporting weekend 15:45, Feb 11 2012
The cold snap continued to wreak further havoc with the sporting calendar on Saturday after the npower Championship clash between Peterborough and West Ham was postponed due to a frozen pitch along with a number of League One and League Two matches. more
Rangers ease to win at Dunfermline 15:45, Feb 11 2012
Lee McCulloch grabbed his first goal of the season as Rangers fought back from behind to claim a 4-1 win and deny Dunfermline their first home victory of the season in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. more
