Boltons Megson slams “pathetic” fans

Gary Megson has slammed Bolton fans who regularly barrack him at matches as “pathetic”, questioned their intelligence and claimed they are hurting their own team.

Megson has struggled to win over a section of Bolton’s support since he was appointed manager 15 months ago and he was subjected to a torrent of abuse on Wednesday evening as Bolton squandered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with local rivals Blackburn, now managed by former Bolton boss Sam Allardyce.

The reaction from the fans prompted Megson to condemn the supporters’ “absolutely astounding” behaviour towards him, claiming it was undermining the club’s fight for top flight survival.

“When the fans are slaughtering me and saying what they are saying, it reflects on what the players are doing,” Megson fumed.

“So they have their thoughts on it too. It makes the players angry, but we’ve had to cope with it for a long time.”

Megson added: “I don’t like it, I think it’s pathetic, and I really believe it is having an adverse effect on the team’s performance.

“A lot of teams can be viewed as a few points off the top few, but also in relegation trouble – of which we’re one.

“There are clubs who are down there who have spent 70-90 million, but are below us. I don’t hear the same reaction from their fans.

“You have to wonder about the intelligence of these people – it has to be heard to be believed to be honest.”

Megson despairs of ever winning over the boo boys but insists his record stands scrutiny after guiding Bolton to safety last season after succeeding Sammy Lee as manager.

“I took this club further than it’s ever been in Europe. I kept them up after having five points from 10 games, I’ve taken the wage bill down.

“I haven’t spent a lot of money in doing that. I think it works out at 2.5 million pounds. Others have spent around 90 million.

“But if your face doesn’t fit, it doesn’t fit. You have to accept that.”