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Eagles lauds boss Coyle

Image: Chris Eagles (l): Grabbed two goals in Bolton's 5-0 win over Stoke but afterwards praised his manager Owen Coyle for giving him self-belief

Bolton's Chris Eagles has paid tribute to Owen Coyle for giving him and his team-mates belief through a tough opening to the season.

Winger thanks boss for support though tough spell

Bolton winger Chris Eagles has paid tribute to Owen Coyle for giving him and his team-mates belief through a tough opening to the season. The Trotters hammered Stoke 5-0 at the Reebok on Sunday to claim their first home win of the campaign. Prior to their clash with the Potters Bolton had lost eight of their opening ten games, including all five of their clashes at the Reebok, to sit second bottom in the table. However, former Manchester United winger Eagles - who grabbed two goals in the Stoke win - praised his manager for keeping the player's spirits up, despite the Lancashire club's perilous position in recent weeks. "It has been tough but the gaffer is always so positive, that is why I went to Burnley with him because he always brings the best out of me and the others," Eagles told Sky Sports. "He just has that confidence, he always makes you feel special out there, he is always encouraging you, even when 5-0 up he is screaming to get the sixth and that is a good thing. "Even in training if you miss an easy chance he is right at you."

Stronger

Eagles feels any criticism the squad has received in recent weeks has only made them stronger and following Sunday's win, they can look forward with confidence. "Winning by five seems quite comfortable but Stoke are always a tough side to beat but we deserved the win and I'm happy with the goals as well. They were all team goals, that's the important thing," added the 25-year-old. "Hopefully this is a turning point and we can get some more points on the board. It is so tight at the bottom another win and we are in mid-table. "We have to stay together, we have had a lot of criticism but the team is so strong now and we have just ignored everything and got on with it. People always want to bring you down and now we have shown we can bounce back. "It has been hard and everyone has been down but after today hopefully that can be forgotten and we can dust ourselves down and move on."

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