Megson talks up Trotters

Posted Saturday, October 03, 2009 by PA

Gary Megson believes Bolton deserve praise for the brand of football they are now playing.

Even though his side had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Tottenham at the Reebok Stadium, Megson was thrilled with some of the football on display.

"There is a perception of this club of what people expect," said the Bolton boss. "The reality of what is going on, you have seen it today.

"There was some really good stuff. We don't just hoof it. Our average height is smaller than Tottenham's. We are trying to win games playing decent football.

"The way we went about our work from minute one to 94 should have won us the game. I am really pleased with the performance but we had enough chances to have sealed a victory."

Bolton made the breakthrough after two minutes through Ricardo Gardner only for Niko Kranjcar to equalise before half-time.

Kevin Davies restored the home side's lead but Vedran Corluka secured a point for Tottenham,

Megson took issue with referee Mike Jones over his treatment of Davies, and said: "I told him at half-time, `I don't want Kevin Davies looking after but he doesn't need persecuting as he is a big strong lad. He plays with his heart on his sleeve and he competes.'

"The referee said, `I have only given two fouls against him. Have you seen his record?'

"It is not a referee's job to be looking at someone's record. They must look at the game going on and judge how they see fit."

With national team coach Fabio Capello looking on, Megson felt Gary Cahill's performance at the back would have done his England chances no harm at all.

He continued: "You could not help but go away with a really good impression. Peter Crouch terrorises back fours when he plays, with his height and his quality.

"Yet Gary has won nearly every ball he has got up for and played some good stuff aside from winning the ball."

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp confirmed striker Jermain Defoe will be ready for England duty in Ukraine next weekend if called on.

Defoe stepped off the bench in the second half, despite having two dislocated fingers in splinters.

Redknapp said: "It is great to bring on someone like Defoe and he will be okay for England. It has been difficult, though, to get him on the training pitch.

"We have five lads on standby: (Jermaine) Jenas, (Tom) Huddlestone, (Aaron) Lennon, Defoe and Crouch. How many will get in I don't know."

Crouch squandered a glorious chance in front of goal a minute before Corluka's equaliser, and Redknapp said: "He should have scored but the keeper has performed a miracle.

"To come back twice was fine. Obviously you want to pick three points up but when we were 2-1 down I would certainly have taken a point.

"We deserved a draw. They started brightly while we were slow getting going. But we came back strongly."