Get off our backs Megson tells Bolton fans

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Failure to beat West Ham at the Reebok Stadium this Saturday would be disastrous for third-bottom Bolton, who are four points adrift of safety with only one more home game in a tough four-match finish.

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Under pressure Bolton manager Gary Megson

Fans have turned on Megson and chairman Phil Gartside to such an extent that one internet message board was closed down this week after Gartside's home phone number was published.

Megson, whose side have not won in eight League games, admitted: "What we need from everybody is the realisation that this is not the last-chance ranch, but it's not far from it. It's become a must-win game."

Almost 600 supporters have signed a petition to oust "Mugson", who was being hailed as "Ginger Mourinho" when he steered them to within sight of the UEFA Cup quarter-finals.

Megson, who joined last October, said: "The club's not doing well — it's natural, the unrest and the criticism. People get upset. But it won't achieve anything and it's not healthy.

"Everybody will be able to see on Saturday what qualities we've got. We'll be able to see what we're like after two minutes.

"Everybody was right up for the Manchester United game and we managed to get a result, as we did against Atletico Madrid. People remarked how the atmosphere helped the players.

"Using simple logic, the opposite will have the opposite effect. But people here aren't stupid — they don't want the club to go down and they will do everything to get this result."

But Megson will not accept the blame for the top flight's most startling fall since Ipswich tumbled from fifth in 2001 to relegation the following season. Bolton finished seventh last May but won only once in a disastrous spell under Sammy Lee. Megson added: "We've been fighting a relegation battle since 20 minutes into the first day of the season."