Megson: I'll take all the flak

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Megson was verbally abused by a section of the travelling support during Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Tottenham, prompting captain Kevin Nolan to defend his manager by saying that he and his team-mates also deserved to feel a vitriolic backlash from the fans.

But Megson - whose struggling side have taken just eight points from their opening nine games - said: "I read what Kevin Nolan said in the press about the fans getting off my back and the players also being culpable. I really appreciate what Kevin said but I don't agree with it."

He added: "I don't want the fans to start having a go at the players because a lot of them won't have had it before.

"But I'm used to it because I've had it from day one and if the fans want to shout and abuse me that's fine, although it's not particularly nice.

"What would be harder to deal with is if the supporters actually turned on the players.

"But the only way to stop the negativity is by putting in some better performances."

When Megson was appointed 12 months ago - with Bolton bottom of the table and heading towards the Coca-Cola Championship at pace - a damning poll conducted on the website of a local newspaper revealed that only 1.7% of fans were in favour of his appointment.

Despite keeping the club in the top flight against the odds and delivering an impressive UEFA Cup run last season, Megson has yet to win over the Bolton public.

"I'm viewed entirely differently throughout the country to what I am here," admitted Megson who is rated highly by many within the game.