COLIN Todd believes Owen Coyle’s experience of guiding Wanderers away from the drop will be key to saving the club again this season.

The former Whites chief has backed his old side to stay up at the expense of Wolves, Blackburn Rovers and QPR.

Coyle led Wanderers to safety in his first season in charge at the Reebok after taking over the reins from Gary Megson, and Todd reckons that gives him an edge over his competitors this time around.

“Some of the managers have been there, and others haven’t,” he said.

“The lad at Wolves (Terry Connor) hasn’t been there, nor has Steve Kean at Blackburn, but Owen and Mark Hughes have both done this before and that will put them in good stead.

“I honestly think Bolton will survive. I don’t know what the other clubs’ run-ins are like, but I think Wolves are doomed, Blackburn have had their little spell and they’ll fall by the wayside.

“Wigan have done it before and might just survive again, so it might be QPR as the other ones who go under.”

Another figure Todd believes will play a key part in the relegation run-in will be skipper Kevin Davies.

The striker has scored in each of his last two games and inspires confidence from his team-mates, said the man who managed the Whites between 1995 and 1999.

“He’s a true professional,” he said. “He would have been disappointed to be out of the side and wouldn’t moan about it. He’d wait for the opportunity to come again, and it has.

“He’s a very difficult player to play against, and you know what you are going to get.

“The other added ingredient is that the players like him in the side because they know the ball is going to stick and that they can get support up to him. Plus he can get goals too.

“This run of goals comes at a great time.”