The Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has hit out at what he perceives to be imbalanced reports questioning the integrity of Sunday's Premier League opponents Wigan, and has criticised Bolton's players for spending the week celebrating their survival.
Wigan's manager Steve Bruce, who enjoyed nine successful years under Ferguson at Old Trafford, stands between his side and a 17th league crown, and reports in the press have highlighted the good relationship between the two men.
However, Ferguson claims that the conduct of Bolton, who travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, is equally important to the outcome of the Premier League title race and that the antics of their players have been overlooked in the build-up to the season's climax.
"All the press seem to be talking about is the integrity of Wigan," said Ferguson. "Nobody has questioned or even mentioned Bolton. It's interesting, the different attitudes, because all we've got is Wigan players saying: 'We want to beat Man United'. That's fine. There's no problem with that because we are a big club. And then you hear about Bolton players out celebrating all week and that amazes me, the change in attitude."
Bolton lie 16th in the Premier League, three points ahead of Fulham and Reading, and are effectively safe as their goal difference is 11 goals superior to that of Steve Coppell's side. Few people expect the Trotters to overcome Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, where they remain unbeaten in the league in over four years.
"Both teams are safe, both are relaxed, both are confident, but one can celebrate and the other is all keyed up to play against Manchester United," said Ferguson, who added that he has faith in Bolton adopting a professional approach, largely as a result of a management team including his former right-hand man Archie Knox.
"The thing that gives me confidence about Bolton is the manager and the assistant manager," he said. "I had Archie Knox for many years at Aberdeen and United. He will not enjoy having his players out celebrating and neither will Gary Megson when it's an important game. I am confident these two kind of guys are taking their team down to Chelsea."
Ferguson will clinch his 10th league title with a victory at the JJB stadium or a draw if Chelsea fail to beat Bolton. "I said early in the season that it would go to the wire. I'm sorry I said that but we are in the right position: win the game, win the league, so it's a great incentive for us."
