Bolton manager Gary Megson admits his struggling side are not scoring enough goals - and puts it down to pressure.
The Trotters remain precariously placed in the Barclays Premiership's bottom three after being held to a goalless draw by Manchester City at the Reebok Stadium yesterday.
Gretar Steinsson headed against a post early on and Kevin Davies had a late effort cleared off the line as Bolton produced an energetic and aggressive performance but City held firm.
They now have just seven matches - the next of those against title-chasing Arsenal - to rescue their season and Megson admits concern over the situation is affecting performances.
"We said at half-time we were working hard to get the ball into that last third but then we are not probing enough, not creative enough and because of that we are snatching at one or two shots," he said.
"We could maybe take our time a little bit but that is probably understandable with the tension this situation creates.
"I think it is quite obvious we are not scoring enough goals.
"It is obvious there is a bit of tension about the football club and therefore some frustration but it's the same for everyone else and I'm sure similar questions will be asked of other managers in the lower reaches of the Premier League."
Bolton's efforts were undoubtedly spirited, particularly from the likes of Davies and captain Kevin Nolan, but Megson did have to deal with one potentially morale-sapping act of player petulance.
Veteran Ivan Campo was far from happy at his 63rd-minute substitution and left the field slowly before trudging straight off down the tunnel, showing little acknowledgement of Megson's consoling pat on the shoulder.
Megson said he would not have expected any player to be pleased at being taken off but admitted he needs his squad to show togetherness.
The manager accepts things are not perfect but for now wants all energies focused on the battle for survival.
He said: "We are not in this position for no reason. It's been going on right the way through the season.
"Now is not the time to discuss the whys and wherefores, it is just the time to roll the sleeves up and make sure we get enough points so next year we're doing the sorting out as a Premier League football club."
City may have been shaded in the number of opportunities created but played their full part in a competitive derby fixture played in the face of swirling snow in the second half.
Sven-Goran Eriksson's side had chances of their own and substitute Felipe Caicedo went particularly close with a shot that was cleared off the line by Joey O'Brien.
The result could have been damaging to the club's fading hopes of qualifying for Europe but with results elsewhere not proving detrimental, the City boss is not giving up.
The Swede said: "I am happy to see that the players have the right attitude, the right spirit.
"Even if we didn't win we fought for 90 minutes and you can see we haven't given up the season - that is important.
"Let's try now against Birmingham. With seven games to play, the point we took, who knows? At the end of the season it might be a very important point.
"Every game is difficult and important but Aston Villa lost, Portsmouth lost. You never know."
Eriksson admitted Bolton had been difficult to break down and offered words of encouragement for them in their relegation battle.
The former England manager added: "I think they have got a good chance to do it (survive).
"It is always very difficult to play against Bolton because of the way they play.
"It is not a critique against them because they have players that play like they do. It is very difficult to stand up to them.
"I saw their game against Manchester United and I don't think they deserved to lose. It is very difficult to break them down."
