UPBEAT Sam Allardyce backed his ice cool Bolton squad to beat the drop after a crucial 2-0 win at rock bottom Sunderland.

Allardyce admitted the pressure was still on despite a vital triumph - Wanderers' first league success on Wearside since 1977.

He said: "With them having a new manager, I was concerned that might give their players and fans a lift.

"But we were professional and the experience and quality of the players we have got are the reasons I think we will get out of trouble.

"I think we had a bit of luck at the right time.

"But I don't see nerves among our players and if they stay calm I feel we will get out of it."

Only two points separate Bolton from third from bottom West Ham United and Allardyce knows there are still battles to win.

He said: "I think the bare minimum we need is a point from each game,which would take us to 37 points.

"Forty points is still my target and with eight games left there is a lot of work to do."

Allardyce gambled on the fitness of shoulder injury victim Henrik Pedersen, but it worked out perfectly with the big striker netting the all-important second.

"It was a calculated risk but I felt we needed Henrik's pace and strength up front," he said.

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