Bolton Wanderers boss Owen Coyle knows he was the subject of sack talk leading up to last week's win over Wigan Athletic.

Having been the toast of the Premier League for most of his two seasons in the top flight, first with Burnley and then Bolton, facing speculation about his position was something unfamiliar for Coyle - not that he took much notice.

"We all know the nature of the beast," he said.

"I can't say I was too aware of it. If people had things to say then good luck to them.

"I know what I need to do in the job, I've done it for seven years at various clubs, and that's what you do. You do the job to the best of your ability, you make the most of the hand you're dealt.

"We knew we had tough games but the disappointment for me was I think we could have performed better in those games. We're not hiding behind it. We had good spells against Chelsea and Arsenal but half a game is not good enough in this league.

"I think the first half against Norwich at home, that was a game that at the moment is biting us on the bum because if we'd have done a job then we'd have been sitting here with nine points and in the last 16 of the Carling Cup having played five of the top six in the country and it would be a different conversation."