Fergie: Consistency Will Be The Key

It's the first time we are three points clear at the top as Arsenal led the table for the whole season. We now must be consistent enough to hold onto this spot, according to Fergie.

The boss, despite the somewhat timid performance, was happy with the 2-0 victory against Bolton that opened up the gap over Arsenal.

'The important thing was that we had the opportunity and incentive to get to three points clear of Arsenal, our nearest pursuer, and we`ve done that,' he told MUTV.

'It`s a lead, that`s important. It`s not a significant lead, but it`s a lead nonetheless. With eight games to go, the team that`s most consistent will win the league. If we can keep our consistency we have a chance.

'I think Chelsea hold the key to it, they have ourselves and Arsenal at home, and their home record is very good, so that to my mind is going to make it a really tight finish.'

I think, dear Sir Alex, that we hold the key to it. If we beat Liverpool and Villa, I can't see us losing it. If we don't... well, that's a different matter entirely.

I made the point that rotation should stop now as the aim of keeping the players fresh for the run-in has been achieved I think and the run-in is here. But first, Fergie praised those who got the chance yesterday night.

'They`re all top players,' he said.

'I have to have faith and trust in them, and when they get their opportunities they know how important every game is for us.'

'I think at times we were a bit relaxed. When we sped the game up, played with great precision and penetration in the last third of the field, we could have scored a few goals. In the second half we were charitable again, but nevertheless we played some good football in these moments.

'Credit to Bolton, they`re fighting for their lives at the bottom of the league, and they had a real go at us tonight. They probably deserved better than they got, really. They played some good football at times and kept at us all the time, great credit to their tenacity.'

Even I can't argue with these comments now.