Nice guys come first for Coyle

Wanderers have excelled so far this season and go into Saturday lunchtime kick-off at Sunderland lying sixth in the Premier League. There have been several stand-out performers, but Coyle feels a vital factor in Bolton's success has been the collective spirit which he has strived to foster at the club since his appointment as manager in January. "I think it is important - I have said before that we have some very gifted individual players, but our strength will always be our group," Coyle said. "To have that - outwith their footballing ability - you need genuinely nice guys, guys that are team players, who know what the strength of the team is and how they can help each other. "Particularly if they are not having a great day in terms of their own ability, they can still bring their workrate to the team, or equally if someone else if having an off day but they are at the top of their game, they can help that team-mate. "I think you can see that sense of togetherness, which is so important." There appeared to be a flash of disharmony last weekend when Martin Petrov reacted angrily to being substituted during the 2-1 victory over Blackburn, but Coyle insists the Bulgaria winger was simply showing his eagerness to remain on the field. "I would expect him to be annoyed at coming off the pitch - there is nothing wrong with that," Coyle said. "You want to be playing your part for the team and I have said to them if they are coming off and they are disappointed, there is no problem with that. You just have to make sure that is channelled the right way. "Martin knows that and he wants to play in every minute of every game for the football club, which is a great thing. "He also knows he has team-mates there who he has to be respectful of, because it is good players who are coming on. "Sometimes as a manager you want those fresh legs in certain areas because you think the other team is a threat. "But they all know the most important thing at the football club is the group, rather than any individual." Seventh-placed Sunderland have also enjoyed a decent campaign to date and are yet to lose a league game at the Stadium of Light. Bolton were defeated 4-0 there last season with Darren Bent - who has already scored nine times for the Black Cats this term - netting a hat-trick, but Coyle is confident his side can handle the fixture better this time out. "What happened last season happened last season and what we have to do is concentrate on this season," Coyle said. "Sunderland are formidable at home and have a terrific record there, which (their manager) Steve Bruce will be looking to extend. "But we have to look to be at our best, and if we are, I believe we can go there and get points. "Darren Bent is scoring goals because he is a fantastic player and strikers are worth their weight in gold. "But that is up to us now, and we have centre-backs who are very good players. It is another top player to mark, as they are every week. "If it is not Darren Bent, it's Didier Drogba, Fernando Torres, Wayne Rooney or Dimitar Berbatov, but that is why we love the Premier League - each and every week it is a real test, and one we look forward to."