Bolton defender Jlloyd Samuel has stated his desire to be a mainstay at left-back this season.
Left-back hopes performance against Pompey convinced Megson
Bolton defender Jlloyd Samuel is hoping he has earned back the regular starting place he lost to Paul Robinson at the start of the season
Samuel was a fixture in Gary Megson's side during last season's Premier League campaign but has lost out to Robinson since the latter was brought in from West Brom over the summer.
But Samuel was given the nod for the Trotters' 3-2 away win over Portsmouth last Saturday.
Now the Trinidad and Tobago international thinks he may have done enough to keep his place ahead of Robinson.
"Losing my place was one of those things. It was the manager's decision and you've got to go along with it," Samuel said.
Chance
"I just kept my head down, I had a good pre-season, and waited for my chance again. Hopefully I have taken it as I want to play regularly again this season.
"I have been pleased with my performances and just want to keep pushing on. I am 28 now and feel I still have a lot to offer."
Bolton gained their first points of the season with the win at Fratton Park, having previously suffered narrow defeats against Sunderland, Hull and Liverpool.
Now Samuel senses an opportunity to climb up the table with a string of good results, but realises that his side face a tough battle if they are to win against Stoke on Saturday.
"You expect to win your home games and we need to start doing that, beginning on Saturday," he added.
"We know what to expect from Stoke, the ball comes at you from every angle. We need to defend well and create some chances if we are to get the points.
"With Birmingham to follow we have got some good games against teams that are going to be in and around us.
"We have got to believe they are games we can win. I am sure if we play like we did against Portsmouth we can get the points."
