Owen Coyle feels Bolton's FA Cup quarter-final opponents Tottenham are favourites to go all the way and does not consider them to be in a slump.
Trotters boss says his side have been handed 'toughest' cup draw
Owen Coyle believes Bolton's FA Cup quarter-final opponents Tottenham are favourites to go all the way and does not consider them to be in a slump.
It has been suggested that the Trotters could not have picked a better time to face Spurs, as they prepare to go head-to-head at White Hart Lane on Saturday.
Harry Redknapp's side have suffered three successive defeats in the Premier League, with ongoing speculation linking their manager with the vacant England post said to be offering an unwelcome distraction.
Coyle does not buy into that line of thought, though, and is fully aware of the size of the challenge facing his team in North London this weekend.
He said: "If you analyse the performances, as we do because we are playing against them, you realise that Tottenham have been playing at a very high level.
"People are talking about how Spurs' recent results haven't been great but you have to look further than that. Their performances recently have been of a very high standard but they haven't carried that little bit of luck.
"Tottenham against Manchester United were outstanding and at Goodison on Saturday there were spells when it was like the Alamo when they looking to get the equaliser.
Energetic
"So this is a quality side led by a fantastic manager and we are going to have to be at our best.
"I don't think there is ever a good time to play Tottenham especially away from home, but we will go there and be fresh and energetic and try to get to the semi-finals.
"I think they are the favourites for the FA Cup, this is a club that has carried all before them this year."
It could be suggested that a prolonged run in the cup could prove to be a distraction for Bolton this season, as they battle to beat the drop in the Premier League, but Coyle insists that wins breed confidence, regardless of which competition they come in.
He added: "We are under no illusions - our priority is to remain in the Barclays Premier League. But within that, I also believe that we can continue to progress in the FA Cup.
"We have the toughest draw out of anybody left in the competition because Tottenham Hotspur are favourites.
"But we have an opportunity, like they have, to reach the last four of the best national cup competition in football."
