Nolan: We're neither sexy nor ugly
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Kevin Nolan admits Gary Megson's Bolton side do not play 'sexy' football - but feels the Trotters deserve 'more credit' for their style.
The Trotters have helped to ease their relegation fears of late by claiming three victories in their last four Premier League outings.
That run has helped lift them into the relative comfort of mid-table, with a 3-1 win at Middlesbrough on Saturday helping to continue their resurgence.
Bolton have never been regarded as one of the top flight's most attractive sides, but are respected for their ability to consistently churn out results and make their presence felt.
Nolan, the club's longest-serving player, concedes that Gary Megson's side have mastered the art of grinding out performances, but believes they no longer deserve to be tagged as long-ball merchants.
"Bolton aren't sexy. But I don't think many teams are sexy these days," he said.
"(Manchester) United, Chelsea, Liverpool and to some extent Arsenal, they're the only ones.
"But we don't get a lot of credit for the way we play, we really don't.
"We knock the ball around and do the good things at the right times.
"If we have to do it the nasty way, we will do but I wouldn't call us ugly.
"Perhaps a few years ago, when we first came up, we were ugly, but not now.
"We have really come on in the last few seasons and teams have started to defend against us.
"We had to break them down but people were always saying, 'Look at how many long balls they play, forgetting that teams like Arsenal and United probably knock the most long balls.
"Bolton may not have the talent of them but we make the most of what we have."