Fergie blasts Bolton

Stuart Mathieson

May 09, 2008

Sir Alex Ferguson

SIR Alex Ferguson has blasted Bolton's players for celebrating survival in the build-up to their last match against United's Premier League title rivals Chelsea.

Wanderers effectively secured top flight football next term with their win against Sunderland last weekend and have to go to Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

The Reds' own opponents Wigan also escaped the drop with victory at Aston Villa last Saturday.

But Fergie has been stunned to hear of Wanderer's alleged partying while Steve Bruce's side have been talking up their 90-minute clash against United and their desire to beat the champions.

"All the press seem to be talking about is the integrity of Wigan," said the United manager.

"Nobody has questioned Bolton. Nobody has even mentioned Bolton. It is interesting the different attitudes. All we have had is Wigan players saying we will beat Man United and that's fine.

"We have no problem with that. We are a big club.

"And then you hear about Bolton players out celebrating all week. It amazes me the difference in attitude.

"Both teams are safe. Both can relax. Both are confident but one team can celebrate while the other is all keyed up to play Manchester United!"

Ferguson, however, has a couple of aces in the Reebok camp in Bolton boss Gary Megson and Sir Alex's former number two at Aberdeen and Old Trafford Archie Knox. "The one thing that gives me confidence about Bolton is their manager and their assistant manager," he added.

"I have known Archie Knox for many years at Aberdeen and United. I wish Archie was playing actually because he will not enjoy having his players out celebrating and neither will Gary Megson will have enjoyed hearing about it."

What do you think? Have your say.

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daniel (09/05/2008 at 11:48)

Absolutley spot on Fergie, Its a disgrace. Everybody is talking up Wigan doing a job on us but people seem to be forgetting that we need a favour from Bolton if we don't beat Wigan. Wigan aren't allowed to roll over against United, but it seems Bolton have already against Chelski the way its being talked about.

Roy (09/05/2008 at 11:50)

Spot on and another way to stoke up Utd's players' sense of injustice and fury.

Utd do need to win - I fancy Chelsea at home whether Bolton has been celebrating or not.

Dave7978, Bolton (09/05/2008 at 12:08)

Typical bloody mind games from Fergie. We're too up for it when playing them, now we're out partying?? We're not even safe, I think someone needs to get his facts straight for a change. At least with his love in with Bruce and the new pitch they're allegedly laying at the JJB it'll help him

red fred (09/05/2008 at 12:15)

sod them all, we are united and we will win it our way, we dont need favours.

united!!!!united!!!united

Demo, Glossop (09/05/2008 at 12:17)

so true SAF. The way chelsea players have been talking like they have already beaten bolton, everyone only saying about wigan.

i love the conspiracy theories coming out of stamford bridge, no doubt rubles have already been passed into the coffers of bolton!

TMUF, Manchester (09/05/2008 at 12:43)

Dave theres no new pitch being laid, there hasnt been a game their for two weeks for Rugby or Football and Wigan postponed the Rugby game to not have that affect the title race.

With the recent good weather, the pitch will be better then in the Winter and should enable BOTH teams to play better.

chris, oxford (09/05/2008 at 12:49)

You reap what you sow Fergie, maybe if you had played a proper team against Chelsea we wouldn't be so concerned about Bolton and Wigan because the league should have been wrapped up by now.

The Truth (09/05/2008 at 12:51)

Yawn.

morgan (the bull), didsbury (09/05/2008 at 12:54)

does it really matter what happen's at the bridge? we won't take the pie eater's lightly. are lads are playing for their place's in moscow and so an easy 4 0 win on saturday will be a great ending to our defence of the crown! come on the reds!!!!!!

GEORGE LYONS (09/05/2008 at 12:58)

Chelsea v Bolton is a none entity. Take away the Ruskie and they are the same type of club. I hope Bolton players have a couple of bottles of White Lightning each before the game. Chelsea wont stand a chance...

chew, Grenada (09/05/2008 at 12:59)

Well said Red Fred;we don't need favours from any one.We will do it in style as we have done with the previous 9 championships.If we can't beat Wigan then we don't deserve to be Champions.As you say Red Fred ---sod all.GLORY GLORY MAN.UNITED

edinburgh red, edinburgh (09/05/2008 at 13:02)

Well said fergie, i've been moaning about the press and tv commentators non stop comments about wigan when bolton have a big part to play as well and have never been mentioned, maybe abromovich has paid them to get beat 16 nil

Dave7978, Bolton (09/05/2008 at 13:09)

So TMUF, if Wigan RL are cancelling the game is that not doing you guys a favour?? I wonder why they did that? Pressure from Utd perhaps?

No mention of that from Fergie is there.

Blip, Manchester (09/05/2008 at 13:43)

Here we go again... Sour Alex and his pathetic mind games. So you're a "big club" eh Alex? And a 'small' club like Wigan should be grateful for the privilege of playing a big club. How gracious of you Alex (as per usual). Did it ever cross your mind that Wigan v Utd is a local derby, whereas Chelsea v Bolton is not? Of course the Wigan players will be more fired-up than Bolton's, you whingeing doughnut. Not making excuses already are you?

shola-shoneils, Finland (09/05/2008 at 13:45)

I fear no foe. Bring on WIGAN + Chelski. We will destroy them believe it or not. Its our turn and I see Ronaldo stunning in this one. Its gonna b zero 4.

Thats why I'm a united fans!

Chris-20legend, Dublin, Ireland (09/05/2008 at 13:47)

oh god sake, stop moaning fergie... bolton will be lucky to get the ball out of there own half at the bridge... we have to win cause chelsea wont drop points.. concentrate on our match... tosser..

Whaley Bridge cynic. (09/05/2008 at 13:48)

After United's pathetic performance against West Ham last year, I'm sure Neil Warnock will allow himself a little smirk at the latest example of Ferguson's hypocrisy.

Lord Ruud (09/05/2008 at 13:50)

I'm surprised Fergie has taken this step, as even though he has a point, it shows he is nervous about Chelsea.

As Chris said the job could have been doen already and I hope so of you overly cocky fans on here are right and we do beat Wigan comfortably but as games at West Ham, Bolton and City have shown, it is the small teams we sometimes struggle against.

bothered, ireland (09/05/2008 at 13:58)

who cares

Red Dawn (09/05/2008 at 14:00)

Bolton will go to the bridge, put 10 men behind the ball and try hold out for aslong as they can.

That approach suits me fine, because if they were to go there and actually have a go, they'd get busted open on the counter.

bobbydazzler (09/05/2008 at 14:14)

chris oxford perhaps if we had some forward cover in games were we have dropped points then saf may have been able to bring on a player to change the course of a game. one thing for sure outsdide of the 3 amigos our players dont know where the goal is.

hitch-hiker's guide to eastlands (09/05/2008 at 14:24)

All this from a man who allowed West Ham to defeat his team on the final day of last year.

paul (09/05/2008 at 14:56)

Typical Fergie mindgames from the master of mindgames.

I think it is irrelevant.Both Chelsea and United will win on Sunday so United will win the league on goal difference.

He is hoping this critisism will fire up Bolton even more,the old,''We'll show him we have not been partying/don't care!'' attitude.

I notice he was pretty quiet when old Curbishley was spouting off before their recent match then his team went out and produced a pathetic display against ten men for almost all the match.

eddy01 (09/05/2008 at 15:04)

WBC,

Actually Utd battered West Ham last year and did everything bar score. They certainly didn't take it easy.

Dave,

I think the Wigan RLFC game would have been scheduled for Sunday as well - they were drawn at home in the cup. The EPL games all have to be played at the same time so the rugby match had to be moved. Simple.

hodie, wiltshire (09/05/2008 at 15:07)

Were they drinking Russian Vodka? Who funded the celebration? Did BBC Five Live notice or report it?

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