Bolton manager Owen Coyle has stated that he can handle the criticism aimed at him after Bolton’s poor start to the season, and has backed countryman Alex McLeish to succeed at Aston Villa.
The Trotters have lost 11 of their 14 games so far this campaign and seem destined to contest a relegation dogfight this term.
Despite the poor run of form, the Scottish coach can take the criticism on the chin.
“We all know the nature of the game we are involved in and I’ve said before, so long as people are not personal in terms of their criticism, then so be it,” Coyle stated in a press conference.
“We have all been in the game long enough and are big enough and ugly enough to accept what goes on.”
Bolton host Aston Villa this weekend, with visiting manager McLeish under pressure after an inconsistent start at Villa Park.
McLeish moved to Villa from rivals Birmingham in the summer, and has yet to win over their fans; Coyle has backed him to be a success with his new club.
“Alex knew the challenges he was going to face and he also knows, as I do, that when you are winning games everything is rosy in the garden,” he continued.
“He is a terrific manager and, more than that, he is an outstanding man, somebody I have got a lot of time for.
“He is very passionate and loves his football. He has done a terrific job wherever he has been.
“Of course there was going to be a furore about moving from Birmingham to Aston Villa,
but he took that on the chin and accepted it for what it was, because we understand that in football, that everybody has their opinion.
“It is something as managers that we learn to deal with. I certainly try to with a smile on my face and Alex is also very much in that mould,” he concluded.
By Gareth McKnight
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