Megson said he had no regrets about his Leicester exit

Megson's appointment was met with anger from many Bolton supporters but he said: "You don't turn up everywhere and get the red carpet laid out.

"The supporters are the bedrock of the club. We need them onside.

"I'll give it everything to get things back on track but I have to accept that maybe I'm not their number one choice."

News conference: Bolton boss Gary Megson

Chairman Phil Gartside has also come under fire from the fans for appointing Megson, whose only previous Premier League management experience was with West Brom.

People who know football understand this appointment Bolton chairman Phil Gartside

Megson twice led the Baggies to promotion to the Premier League but they won just seven of 48 top-flight games under his management.

But Gartside told Friday's news conference: "I've had some difficult times as chairman but the comfort for me is I have spoken to people in football and they have told me they think I've made the right appointment.

"People who know football understand this appointment.

"Taking criticism is part of football. It is very fickle and when you're not winning you get criticism and you have to take it.

"It is not just my decision. We have a board of directors and we came to a joint conclusion we had to make a change and equally we have seen Gary is the right man for the job."

Gartside added that Megson would have money to spend in the January transfer window.

Megson left his post as Leicester boss after just six weeks to succeed Sammy Lee at struggling Bolton - but he insisted he had nothing to be ashamed of.

"It's not ideal. In an ideal world I would have been there for three or four years and left them in the Premier League as I did with West Brom," he said.

606: DEBATE Megson is a terrible appointment, especially in their current predicament footietalk

"I didn't stay there long enough to do that but I don't have a conscience about it. You can't dictate when these chances come along.

"I've spoken to a few people and not one of them has said the decision I've taken isn't the right one."

Megson was at the Reebok Stadium on Thursday to watch the 1-1 Uefa Cup draw with Portuguese side Braga.

"There were some good players out there," he said.

"There's things they have done in the past that I will want to change a little but we have good players and an awful lot going for us at this football club."