NOLAN WANTS THE LAST LAUGH

Bolton earned a crucial point at White Hart Lane.

Kevin Nolan is determined to secure Barclays Premier League survival to have the last laugh on critics who want Bolton to go down.

Seven points from their last three games has given Gary Megson's side hope of beating the drop, three weeks after they were staring at relegation following a 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa.

Bolton have been accused of devaluing the UEFA Cup by fielding a weakened side earlier in the season, and their direct style has seen them billed as unattractive.

They struggled against Tottenham at White Hart Lane but still managed a draw to keep them a point above the relegation zone.

"I quite like that fact that everyone wants us to go down," said midfielder Nolan. "You store a few things up for the end of the season when we do stay up.

"It makes me laugh, some people say we should go down."

Nolan admits Bolton have gone back to basics since the Villa defeat - but he feels the club have been treated unfairly by being given a reputation of being an ugly side.

"We were top eight for four seasons on the spin," Nolan said.

"We played some good stuff under Sam Allardyce. We didn't play like we did against Spurs to do that.

"When we first came up that's what we were like and that's what we've had to go to - as people were saying we were dead and buried, we were down and gone.

"We've proved everyone wrong and hopefully we can continue to do that."

It sets up a huge clash against Sunderland next week. With Chelsea on the last day of the season, Bolton need the win against Roy Keane's men.

The good news is that striker Kevin Davies is back from suspension and expects to play despite suffering a broken hand in the win over West Ham earlier this month.

"It was a massive point and hopefully we'll get three points next week," said Nolan.

"I never said or believed that we would go down. We've proved that over the last few games.

"We had to do something about it - we couldn't keep blaming referees or our luck. We've gone back to basics in the last three games and got the results we deserve."

Bolton took the lead against Spurs with a close-range strike from Stelios Giannakopoulos, before Steed Malbranque secured a point.

"We now play for our lives against Sunderland," Stelios said.

It did take a polished performance from Ali Al Habsi to keep Bolton on level terms - he denied Robbie Keane with his most imprsive save.

Megson said: "Not from my own point of view but from Bolton's, it would be a huge achievement to stay in the Premier League given the circumstances of the last year."

Spurs have already turned their attention to next season, with Luka Modric in the stands after agreeing a £15.8million deal from Dinamo Zagreb.

"It's fantastic for the club, it's what this club is about," said midfielder Jermaine Jenas.

"To bring in players of that calibre shows where the club is heading."

Jenas is relishing the competition for places in Spurs' midfield next season.

He added: "I've been doing it all my career. When I was at Newcastle there was Speed, Viana and Dyer.

"I've had the same at Spurs. You expect to be fighting for your place at a club like ours."

Meanwhile, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) have been reported to be interested in buying Spurs but a suggested figure of £250million is thought to be well short of a bid that would be considered.