Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini believes Bolton are currently exceeding all expectations. The clubs meet on Saturday at Eastlands with both in a good position for a European place next season. While City are expected to push for a Champions League spot, few pundits thought Owen Coyle's side would be lying sixth in the table going into the match.
Asked if he though Bolton Wanderers would fade away, Mancini said: "I do not think they can get fourth position.
"For them it is important to play well to get results like they did in the last month. It was a fantastic job.
"I am surprised - they are playing very well. They have a good manager (Owen Coyle) and some good players. They have continued to play well this year since he arrived.
"They like to play football. They don't play with a lot of players behind the ball. It will be a difficult game. We must be strong if we want to win."
It is the start of a busy month for City who go into the match on the back of draw at Stoke in their last league game.
Mancini said: "If we get a good result against Bolton, with a lot of games ahead, it will be very important.
"We must always improve. I was happy after the Stoke game, not for the result but because of the way we played in the second half.
"If we continue to play like we did then and like we did against Fulham it is very important. We can do some good work in this month."
