Confidence never went, says Eagles, as Bolton return to winning ways

Owen Coyle’s struggling side made a dramatic return to form yesterday as they thrashed Stoke 5-0 at the Reebok Stadium.

It was only their third Premier League win of the season and their first points on their home ground.

The Trotters had been handed a daunting fixture list in the opening two months of the season – they lost to five of the current top seven – but disappointing defeats by Sunderland, Swansea and Norwich brought criticism.

Eagles, the Trotters’ outstanding performer with two goals against the Potters, said: “None of us really pay attention to what people say. Anyone can put you down, any job you do.

“We don’t listen, we just go out there and do our job. We stick together. People can comment on everything, people think they can have a view on you.

“But with Owen, he keeps it close-knit. We don’t listen to anyone outside.

“We are fit, happy and hopefully everyone can see that. I don’t think anyone could have predicted 5-0 but it just shows what character we have got.”

Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero has admitted his disappointment at the ongoing stand-off between his club and Argentina team-mate Carlos Tevez.

Former club captain Tevez has been frozen out since Roberto Mancini accused him of refusing to play in the Champions League clash with Bayern Munich in September, although he was later charged in a club disciplinary hearing with the lesser offence of refusing to warm-up.

Mancini has told Tevez he can play again for the club if he apologises for his actions, but the 27-year-old has remained silent and appears set to seek a move away from Manchester in January.

“What happened is very sad,” said Aguero. “Carlitos is now training at the club, but not with us.

“It is a shame. Hopefully, in these days or the next month it can be solved and he will be with us.”