Bolton have endured a difficult start to the campaign and find themselves in the relegation places, but boss Owen Coyle declares the club have moved on since his appointment in January 2010. However, ahead of Saturday's showdown with Everton at the Reebok Stadium, no matter what the statistics might say, Coyle is adamant progress has been made.
"There has been huge improvement at this club," said Coyle.
"We are two years down the line and the things we have put in place in terms of infrastructure have made it a better place.
"I have to stress, where we are at the moment is due to a number of things, some of which are out of our control.
"What I have to do is see through that and look at the bigger picture.
"It is not bravado, I know that by the end of the season, we will not be in the bottom three."
However, Coyle does recognise his defiance counts for only so much.
"It is fine me talking about us being good enough to move up the league. We have to deliver," he said.
"The players have shown in some of their performances how good they can be. We have to bring that to the table on a consistent basis.
"Getting some of our top players back would help.
"In the meantime we soldier on. Yes, there is an element of frustration, that goes hand in hand with the job.
"But there is a wider aspect to all this. We are at a wonderful football club with a tremendous history and tradition. We will make sure we continue that."
