MARK Halsey, the former Premier League referee and columnist for The Bolton News, believes former Watford and Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay has the credentials to turn around the fortunes of Bolton Wanderers.

Halsey, who lives locally and has had strong links with Wanderers – most noteably during his problems with cancer – reckons the mood of the club had changed in recent times.

But he expressed his sympathy for chairman Phil Gartside, who has had difficult choices to make and who he believes has come in for undeserved criticism “Bolton Wanderers mean a lot to me because the club were very good to me through my illness – and it’s been difficult to see them going through what they have recently,” he said.

“It must have been difficult for Phil Gartside to make that decision.

“No one ever enjoys parting with a manager and he puts himself on the line with every decision he makes.

“I think he comes in for some undue stick at times but that’s the business we’re in.

“No one wants to see a manager lose his job but I was there prior to Dougie Freedman coming in and I know that the feeling around the place changed.

“Who can come in? I’d say Malky Mackay. He’s a terrific coach who could do a great job.”