Megson Won`t Talk the Peace

Bolton face West Bromwich Albion this afternoon, with manager Gary Megson still seriously peeved at Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace, the man who gave him his marching orders from the Hawthorns.

‘I`ve got absolutely no problem with West Brom as a club or the supporters or the players,` said Megson, ‘it was one person and a few people who work for him. You will never hear me mention his name.`

There`s an odd symmetry here. Many Bolton fans have difficulty uttering Megson`s name, unless it`s followed by the word ‘out`.

‘When I took over at West Brom, we were facing relegation?` continued the ginger one. Does that sound familiar? Indeed it does. At least the when I came here, we were bottom of the table with five points out of ten games routine didn`t originate at the Reebok.

Given the genuine antipathy Megson feels toward his former employer, it would be pleasing to think that he`ll have his players fired up for today`s crucial encounter, but does he have that motivational ability? They responded to his exhortations that the League Cup was important, with a limp-wristed display against Northampton, so the answer would seem to be no. The Whites boss may not have any words for Jeremy Peace, but with key players missing and morale looking fragile, what he says in the dressing room will be vitally important if Bolton are to halt what is already looking like an alarming slide.