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PHIL Gartside has delivered a clear warning to Owen Coyle and his players in an effort to get their promotion push back on track.
Faced with mounting criticism over a poor start to the season, the frustrated chairman has taken a hard line by telling his manager and players that results like Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Hull City will not be tolerated.
Travelling fans called for Coyle to leave after seeing their side fall behind in the second half at the KC Stadium – but The Bolton News understands the Scot will still be in charge as the Whites head into a crucial spell of three games in seven days after the international break.
Speaking after the match, Gartside let it be known in no uncertain terms that he expects an upturn in fortunes.
“I can understand the reaction from the fans, and I was as disappointed and frustrated,” he said.
“We had fantastic support at Hull and it was not good enough.
“There is absolutely no doubt, we have to improve, and I will be looking for a reaction.
“It is a good squad and we have made some quality additions over the summer, so we have to do better.”
After recruiting the likes of Keith Andrews, Andy Lonergan and Matt Mills in the summer, Wanderers were labelled promotion favourites before a ball had been kicked.
Gartside admitted in a recent interview that both he and Coyle were under “100 per cent pressure” to get the club back into the big time, which carries with it a vastly inflated television deal from next season.
Anything other than promotion is not an option for the Whites, which makes the fact they have taken just four points from their first four games, putting them just above the relegation zone, all the more difficult to digest.
“Ahead of the break, we wanted to maintain an average of two points a game, and it is important that we achieve that,” the chairman said.
“Clearly we haven't hit that target and it is a given that we must get back on track.
“There is always going to be pressure, but we have to deal with that and start winning games and delivering consistent top notch performances.”
Saturday's defeat means Wanderers have kept just one clean sheet on their travels in the last 47 away games.
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PHIL Gartside has delivered a clear warning to Owen Coyle and his players in an effort to get their promotion push back on track.
Faced with mounting criticism over a poor start to the season, the frustrated chairman has taken a hard line by telling his manager and players that results like Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Hull City will not be tolerated.
Travelling fans called for Coyle to leave after seeing their side fall behind in the second half at the KC Stadium – but The Bolton News understands the Scot will still be in charge as the Whites head into a crucial spell of three games in seven days after the international break.
Speaking after the match, Gartside let it be known in no uncertain terms that he expects an upturn in fortunes.
“I can understand the reaction from the fans, and I was as disappointed and frustrated,” he said.
“We had fantastic support at Hull and it was not good enough.
“There is absolutely no doubt, we have to improve, and I will be looking for a reaction.
“It is a good squad and we have made some quality additions over the summer, so we have to do better.”
After recruiting the likes of Keith Andrews, Andy Lonergan and Matt Mills in the summer, Wanderers were labelled promotion favourites before a ball had been kicked.
Gartside admitted in a recent interview that both he and Coyle were under “100 per cent pressure” to get the club back into the big time, which carries with it a vastly inflated television deal from next season.
Anything other than promotion is not an option for the Whites, which makes the fact they have taken just four points from their first four games, putting them just above the relegation zone, all the more difficult to digest.
“Ahead of the break, we wanted to maintain an average of two points a game, and it is important that we achieve that,” the chairman said.
“Clearly we haven't hit that target and it is a given that we must get back on track.
“There is always going to be pressure, but we have to deal with that and start winning games and delivering consistent top notch performances.”
Saturday's defeat means Wanderers have kept just one clean sheet on their travels in the last 47 away games.
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