Wheater: Bolton will avoid drop

Bolton’s David Wheater believes his side will benefit from an easier run-in than that of their relegation rivals.

Bolton’s final 10 fixtures are simpler on paper than those of Blackburn, QPR, Wolves and Wigan, with only two matches against sides from the top seven.

Having clambered out of the bottom three with a win against QPR on Saturday, Wheater is confident that they can pick up enough points to be clear of the drop zone.

“We’ve looked at the fixtures and I think we have got the easiest run-in,” the former Middlesbrough defender told the Bolton News.

“They’re not easy games, of course, but compared to everyone else they look okay. Wigan and QPR have got to play the top five but it’s down to us at the end of it.”

“If we pick up the points and play confidently, then we will be fine.”

Saturday’s win at the Reebok Stadium ended a run of five straight league defeats for Owen Coyle’s men, though the victory was not without its controversy.

QPR’s Clint Hill was denied a headed goal in the first half, though replays showed the ball clearly crossed the line.

“The (QPR) win was massive because it takes us out of the relegation zone but also gives us the confidence as well. We need to keep picking up these points and see how far we can get.”