PRESSURE is driving Dougie Freedman to make a success of life at Wanderers.

Three months into the job of transforming the Whites from under-achievers into promotion candidates, and the Scot admits it is still a work in progress.

But the demand for a quick return to Premier League football is not one Freedman can ignore – and after seeing his opposite number at Blackburn Rovers Henning Berg axed after just 10 games at Ewood Park and Wolves’ boss Stale Solbakken getting similar treatment at Molineux, there is no escaping the stress placed on managers in the Championship.

“In the modern-day, that is the way it is,” he told The Bolton News.

“Ten games (for Henning Berg) is shocking really but who am I to judge another club?

“It is unfortunate for him because none of us want to see people losing their jobs.

“But if you work in the football business, you understand it is a challenge.

“All I can do is control how hard I work and how honest I am with my employers and my players.

“If that isn’t good enough, I need to accept the life we are in.”

With Crystal Palace still flying high where he left them in October, Freedman’s own task of reaching the Premier League is made all the more intriguing.

But the Whites boss is convinced he made the right choice in leaving Selhurst Park for the Reebok and is looking forward to what 2013 has in store.

“Whether you are up the top like at my previous club or where we are, there are different challenges,” he said. “The injury aspect is challenging and players may be out of form.

“You have ex-players on radio programmes or on TV tell you what you should be doing.

“But I wouldn’t change it for the world.

“I enjoy the challenge, that is why I came to Bolton to challenge myself and see if I could do it.

“Professional people will always be put under pressure and that comes in many different forms.

“I certainly feel pressure within myself and that drives me on.”