Megson hits back at his critics

Bolton Wanderers manager Gary Megson has rounded on the critics that have been quick to condemn him and his team in the last few weeks.

Megson's side seemed certain to join Derby County in the Championship next season when they were thrashed 4-0 by Aston Villa in early April.

However, a run of three wins and a draw in their last four matches, culminating in Saturday's 2-0 victory against Sunderland, has almost certainly guaranteed Bolton a place in next season's Premier League.

Megson said: "It makes me laugh when people criticise and have an opinion, yet when you look at the facts, they don't add up.

"I've been manager of Bolton for 27 games, we've taken 31 points. The previous 27, we took 22 points.

"We've kept 11 clean sheets, previously we'd kept four.

"When I arrived we had five points from ten games. If that had continued we'd have been relegated.

"I'm not blowing smoke up my own backside but these players have given it everything they've possibly got. I can't ask any more of them "