Owen Coyle believes it would be foolish to try to predict the
number of points that will keep Bolton in the Premier League this
season.
Wanderers have given their survival hopes a significant boost
with back-to-back victories over Wolves and West Ham in their last
two league encounters, results which have put them five points
clear of the relegation zone with 10 games left to play.
Going into Tuesday night's match at Sunderland lying 13th on
29 points, Coyle's side appear to be within touching distance of
securing their top-flight status, but the manager is refusing to
set any specific numerical targets.
Asked what he felt would be the required points tally to
guarantee safety, Coyle said: "I'm not being evasive, but I really
do just look to the next game.
"I think it's folly to look too far ahead and think that
amount of points will keep you safe or won't.
"You won't know that until the last game of the season, so
what we do is concentrate on the old cliche - it's one game at a
time, it really is.
"What we do know is that game by game, if we do pick up
points, that will serve our purpose well."
Bolton will be looking to extend their winning run against a
struggling Sunderland side who have the opportunity to consolidate
their place around the middle of the table over the next few days,
although Coyle is wary of the fact that his side could just as
easily find themselves slipping back into the mire if they do not
keep up their good form.
"It was a valuable three points (against West Ham) on the
back of the Wolves victory and it elevated us up the league
slightly, but we are under no illusions how quickly football can
change," Coyle said. "We are pleased to get the win and I always
felt it was coming anyway given the level of performance we were
offering up, and we showed that from the first whistle.
"But it is behind us, we can't affect it, and what we can
affect is what's in front of us.
"We have got a massive game now at Sunderland, a quality side
with some top players, and a magnificent stadium with a great set
of supporters.
"We all accept that they have been on an indifferent run, but
there is no doubt that Steve Bruce is a top-class manager."
Mark Davies could return for Bolton, having missed the last
three matches with an ankle problem.
Tamir Cohen is suspended after he was sent off against West
Ham and Gary Cahill is not expected back in full training for
another week as he continues his recovery following the discovery
of a blood clot in his arm.
Stuart Holden, Gavin McCann, Chris Basham, Joey O'Brien and
Sean Davis are also still sidelined.
