GUDNI Bergsson has appealed to Wanderers to be “honest” in their assessment of what went wrong last season.

The Icelander has backed his old team-mate Owen Coyle to guide the Whites back into the big time at the first attempt – but feels a period of scrutiny is necessary for the healing process to begin.

Wanderers sustained a run of horrific injuries and Fabrice Muamba’s collapse, but Bergsson believes the inconsistent form that eventually accounted for the club’s top-flight status cannot be pinned exclusively on the players absent from the squad.

“At this point I feel an assessment is needed by the whole management of the club, and the players too,” he told The Bolton News. “I know that feeling well from my time as a player and I know it is important to be critical but positive at the same time and determined to come back stronger.

“We have to be honest and say we simply weren’t good enough this time. We can bounce back, provided we have a clear vision of what we are about as a team and a club.”

Wanderers released 12 players at the end of last week, which they hope will now pave the way for a younger, streamlined squad with a wage bill that more reflects the club’s turnover.

And Bergsson reckons a clean sweep was needed, after watching his former club struggle to find an identity in the years since Sam Allardyce’s departure.

“It has been a difficult period after the great spell we had under Allardyce,” he said. “Having said that, Coyle had a good first year and we played some good football but the squad we had just did not have the quality we had five or six years ago in my opinion.

“We missed those brilliant loan signings in (Jack) Wilshere and (Daniel) Sturridge and when we had those injuries we struggled to cope. We looked at times fragile and not to sound tactically.

“The midfield had difficulties both in the creative department and in shielding the back four, which let in far too many goals. Up front we missed Sturridge´s goals. Klasnic had the scoring touch but was not being played, I believe, for his work rate.”

Bergsson dropped out of the top flight twice with Wanderers, helping them back into the Premier League on both occasions. His last game for the Whites was the memorable 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough, which secured safety on the final day of the 2002-03 season.

Few are better placed to judge what will be required for Coyle and Co to make an immediate return to the top flight, with time of the essence.

“We need to do it quickly,” said the former defender. “We still have some good players, and even better we are developing them.

“We need to get some more in and, most importantly, make them into a more resilient team than they were this season.

“Hopefully we see a attacking side which can defend as well - because the defence always wins in the end! When I first came to the club Bolton were renowned for playing entertaining, attacking football. I wouldn´t mind that reputation again for us but you need to be hard to beat as well.

“I would love to see the Reebok become a fortress again, where we rarely lose points because we need a good atmosphere within the club and within the stadium.”

Bergsson also believes Coyle can become a better manager despite the disappointment of having a relegation on his CV.

“We all want him to succeed and wish him well,” he added. “A good start to next season would do wonders and when we are winning games and scoring goals you win the disgruntled fans back.

“It’s important for him to take a good look at everything. He can come back stronger and wiser if he manages this situation well. ”