GARY Megson has told angry Wanderers fans that this is not the time to be looking for scapegoats.
There were chants of "Megson out" as the Whites were thrashed 4-0 at Aston Villa on Saturday, leaving them teetering on the brink of relegation after seven Premiership seasons.
Those fans are looking for answers to searching and serious questions, for decisive action and, ultimately, calling for heads to roll.
But the manager urged them to stay on side and play their part while there is still a mathematical chance of survival.
Protests and petitions are on the minds of many supporters but Megson has called for a united front at Saturday's home game against West Ham, which he believes could be decisive.
"We've got a huge game on Saturday and I know they'll turn out for that," said the beleaguered Wanderers manager.
"I know they are disappointed, I can hear it, I'm not stupid. We're not happy, they're not happy, nobody's happy.
"There's always blame and there always people looking round for who may or may not be culpable, but this is not the time for that.
"We're going to need everyone onside. We're going to need hearts on sleeves and have a right good go. We're going to need the supporters.
"I do feel sorry for them, when they are not used to being in this position.They are as frustrated as all of us but we need them onside on Saturday."
There are many who have been so infuriated by Wanderers' decline - from Champions League challengers last season to odds-on favourites for relegation - they are calling for major changes at the Reebok. They were unlikely to respond to Megson's rallying call anyway but Saturday's tame submission at Villa and gloomy prospects for the remaining games will have fuelled their anger further.
The only consolation was their nearest rivals Birmingham lost at Wigan but, with goal difference now a significant factor, Bolton effectively need to make up five points on Alex McLeish's Blues, with just five games to play.
And, after taking just one point from their last eight games, there is going to have to be a transformation of monumental proportions if they are to beat the drop.
Megson believes they can still make up the ground but his is philosophical about his personal future.
"What will be will be," he said. "I'm manager of a football club that's down in the bottom three. I'm manager of a football club that, when I arrived, was rock bottom.
"I like working at the football club. It's a terrific football club with a lot going for it, but also with huge problems.
"You're not down at the bottom of the table with five points after 10 games if you've not got problems and you're not down in the bottom three after 33 games and four points adrift if you've not got problems.
"You can't turn round and say that everything in the garden's rosy. It's obviously not.
"There are things that will take a little bit of time to sort out. But there are things that are more important at the moment that need sorting out - getting a win.
"Results decide what happens to football clubs, football managers, footballers.
"At the moment we've got five games to go and the focus is purely and simply on the West Ham game on Saturday."
Megson has stated THIS in the BEN
No time for scapegoats - Megson
By Gordon Sharrock
GARY Megson has told angry Wanderers fans that this is not the time to be looking for scapegoats.
There were chants of "Megson out" as the Whites were thrashed 4-0 at Aston Villa on Saturday, leaving them teetering on the brink of relegation after seven Premiership seasons.
Those fans are looking for answers to searching and serious questions, for decisive action and, ultimately, calling for heads to roll.
But the manager urged them to stay on side and play their part while there is still a mathematical chance of survival.
Protests and petitions are on the minds of many supporters but Megson has called for a united front at Saturday's home game against West Ham, which he believes could be decisive.
"We've got a huge game on Saturday and I know they'll turn out for that," said the beleaguered Wanderers manager.
"I know they are disappointed, I can hear it, I'm not stupid. We're not happy, they're not happy, nobody's happy.
"There's always blame and there always people looking round for who may or may not be culpable, but this is not the time for that.
"We're going to need everyone onside. We're going to need hearts on sleeves and have a right good go. We're going to need the supporters.
"I do feel sorry for them, when they are not used to being in this position.They are as frustrated as all of us but we need them onside on Saturday."
There are many who have been so infuriated by Wanderers' decline - from Champions League challengers last season to odds-on favourites for relegation - they are calling for major changes at the Reebok. They were unlikely to respond to Megson's rallying call anyway but Saturday's tame submission at Villa and gloomy prospects for the remaining games will have fuelled their anger further.
The only consolation was their nearest rivals Birmingham lost at Wigan but, with goal difference now a significant factor, Bolton effectively need to make up five points on Alex McLeish's Blues, with just five games to play.
And, after taking just one point from their last eight games, there is going to have to be a transformation of monumental proportions if they are to beat the drop.
Megson believes they can still make up the ground but his is philosophical about his personal future.
"What will be will be," he said. "I'm manager of a football club that's down in the bottom three. I'm manager of a football club that, when I arrived, was rock bottom.
"I like working at the football club. It's a terrific football club with a lot going for it, but also with huge problems.
"You're not down at the bottom of the table with five points after 10 games if you've not got problems and you're not down in the bottom three after 33 games and four points adrift if you've not got problems.
"You can't turn round and say that everything in the garden's rosy. It's obviously not.
"There are things that will take a little bit of time to sort out. But there are things that are more important at the moment that need sorting out - getting a win.
"Results decide what happens to football clubs, football managers, footballers.
"At the moment we've got five games to go and the focus is purely and simply on the West Ham game on Saturday."
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