Sam Allardyce admits he
would be devastated if Bolton missed out on a European place at the
end of the season.
The Trotters currently occupy fifth spot in the Premiership with
seven games remaining, and have never been outside the top eight
all campaign.
Bolton ended a poor run of results with a 1-0 win over Sheffield
United last time out, but Everton and Tottenham have both closed on
Allardyce's side in recent weeks.
And the Bolton boss, who set his side a target of 60 points to
claim a Uefa Cup spot, is aware of the danger a disappointing end
to the season will bring.
"The lowest we've been this year is eighth and that is a tremendous
record to have for a club like ours in the Premiership," Allardyce
told the website.
"But we don't want it to peter away into an anti-climax. [Missing
out on Europe would be] devastating now.
"With 21 points at stake I would expect somebody below us to win
probably four or five out of the last seven games.
"Somebody always comes on a surging run towards the end and it
looks like at the moment Tottenham and Everton."
Bolton travel to face Wigan at The JJB Stadium on Saturday having
yet to record a Premiership victory over The Latics, something
Allardyce is looking to put right at the weekend.
"We've got to go and make sure that, for the first time, we get
something out of a game there," he added on the club's official
website.
"It will be a real tough one because, historically, we haven't done
anything there."
Meanwhile, Allardyce has offered some words of advice to Paul
Jewell, with Wigan currently three points above the Premiership's
relegation zone.
"As manager, you have to be the coolest person around, and you must
lead from the front, no matter the situation," Allardyce
said.