Nigel Reo-Coker has laughed at critics predictions that Bolton will finish down near the bottom of the Premier League table this season.
The former Aston Villa midfielder has slotted straight into Owen Coyle's line-up and he is confident that the Trotters have the manpower and ability to push into the top half rather than be any danger of relegation.
"Everyone nowadays seems to be a footballing expert, without having spent any time on the training ground or in and around the clubs they are having an opinion about," he told The Bolton News.
"They don't know anything about the mentality of the team or the players.
"I don't really read the papers, if I'm honest, but the manager (Owen Coyle ) made a quick reference to it, and it doesn't apply here.
"Before I got here Bolton Wanderers were an established Premier League club and a fixture that not many clubs wanted to play because they are always hard to beat, set in their way and go out to win football matches."
Bolton kicked off the 2011/12 campaign with a 4-0 win over newcomers QPR on the weekend and although it was a positive beginning, Reo-Coker is not getting carried away.
"It's a fantastic start," he added.
"It's great for confidence but you can't let it sink too deeply. The Premiership is a marathon, not a sprint.
"It's great to start with a win but there's obviously a long way to go."
