COLIN Todd is safe in his job at the Reebok ... whether Wanderers win or lose their fight for Premiership survival.

The Bolton boss is preparing his players for Sunday's do-or-die relegation decider at Chelsea knowing he will be manager next season, come what may.

Todd's job is not under threat and hasn't been at any time during the season, despite a three and a half month run without a win.

Wanderers stopped that rot with successive home wins against Sheffield Wednesday and Leicester City and, having taken 16 points from a possible 27, travel to Chelsea knowing they will be safe if they can better or even match Everton's result at home to Coventry.

They will be bitterly disappointed if they fall at the final hurdle and they are fully aware of the financial consequences of a return to Division One.

But, despite the fact that neither Todd nor the board have gone public on the subject, he has for some time been clear to prepare his summer and pre-season programme knowing his position is secure.

Howard Kendall, meanwhile, has made the first move in the 'Mind Game' ahead of Sunday's relegation duel.

The Everton boss has angered Gianluca Vialli by suggesting his Chelsea players will not be trying at Stamford Bridge, three days before they face Stuttgart in Stockholm in the final of the European Cup Winners Cup.

Chelsea have suffered successive defeats by Blackburn and Newcastle, prompting Kendall to moan: "Let's hope they won't be wearing their flip-flops like they have been in their last couple of games."

But the Londoners keeper Kevin Hitchcock has hit back, saying: "Bolton won't get any favours from us. The team Luca picks on Sunday will be as close as he can get to his side for Stockholm and everybody will be playing for their place in the European final.

"It's absolute nonsense to suggest we will be taking it easy."

Vialli says he will field his strongest side in Hitchcock's testimonial match against Nottingham Forest tomorrow night."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.