As Allardyce statistically points out, Bolton have spent 80% of the current season in the top six of the Barclays Premiership table.

A much-needed victory over relegation strugglers Sheffield United on Saturday steadied a ship that was lilting precariously after a run of three successive defeats.

Ahead of tomorrow's local derby against Wigan at the JJB Stadium, Bolton are clinging on to fifth place, with Spurs and Everton just two and three points behind, respectively.

"Hopefully we've started to turn the corner with the Sheffield United result," said Allardyce.

"We've now seven games to go to pick up a few wins, and if we can get one of those against Wigan then our destiny will still be in our own hands.

"The question the players need to ask themselves is: 'Do we want to maintain it that way, or do we want to finish on an anti-climax?'

"It bothers me we have let ourselves down hugely recently, and the worst time to let it slip is at the end because then everyone goes away depressed.

"Having lived in the top six for 80% of this season, and the top eight all season, it would be particularly disappointing if we did let it slip now.

"So we need the players to hit their best form, which they came close to doing against Sheffield United.

"The win was very important, and I hope that has instilled a bit of confidence back in the players.

"We lost that for a while, but hopefully it has returned and we can maintain that through the run-in."

One concern for Allardyce is that in four meetings with Wigan since their promotion to the Premiership - three in the league and one in the Carling Cup - Bolton have yet to win, suffering three defeats and a draw.

That is another statistic Allardyce is eager to correct, adding: "I'm sure Paul [Jewell] fancies his chances.

"It doesn't matter how good or bad we've played against them - and some of the performances we've had have been very average and some very good - we've not managed to beat them.

"The home defeat this season was hard to take because we dominated the game in terms of possession and chances, but we slipped up to a [Lee] McCulloch goal late on.

"If ever there was a good time to finally beat them then it's this Easter weekend with what's at stake."

Allardyce goes into the game without two key players in captain Kevin Nolan and Ivan Campo, both of whom are suspended.