(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
With other middle-of-the-pack clubs like West Ham and Fulham showing marked improvement since their current managers took over, Bolton finds themselves still worried about the threat of relegation.
Megson may not have the most talent to work with. However one has to wonder how content the board at Bolton will be with a manager who lives on the edge so often.
17. Ricky Sbragia (Sunderland)
Like Bolton, Sunderland are a side that are content to just stay afloat in the top flight, however shouldn't their supporters expect more?
For the past two seasons, Sbragia's side has flirted with disaster and finished lower in the table this season than they did last.
Given the available talent, nobody expects a club like Sunderland to compete with "the big four" or even compete for a spot in Europe.
However, the sign of a good manager is the ability to get talent to overachieve, and Sbragia has taken talent just good enough not to get relegated and keep them from barely getting relegated.
18. Tony Mowbray (West Brom)
After winning the Championship last season, Mowbray came into this Premiership season promising not to compromise his attacking style in the top flight.
He found his club at the bottom of the table.
No club in the EPL gave up more goals than West Brom, and while the offense would show flashes of brilliance on occasion, the defense was a disaster and not good enough for top flight play.
What some might call principle, others call stubbornness. While Tony Pulis was more pragmatic and had Stoke near the middle of the table all season, Mowbray stuck to his system and will have to fight for promotion again next season.
19. Gareth Southgate (Middlesbrough)
In the history of the EPL no club has so delighted in underachievement as Middlesbrough.
After finishing a mediocre 13th in the table last season, the wheels fell off this season as Boro fought and lost the relegation battle for most of the season.
While nobody expected 'Boro to even compete for a spot in the top half of the table, nobody expected them to finish in 19th place with seven wins to 20 losses and a dismal 32 points either.
The long-suffering fans at the Riverside Stadium know they don't have the resources to expect a European spot every season. However they also deserve better than the elevator football that managers like Southgate has produced every season.
20. Alan Shearer (Newcastle United)
In America there is a phrase used to describe things like Alan Shearer's tenure as caretaker manager at Newcastle: train wreck.
While Shearer has had a tough job in a season or turmoil at Tyneside, three managers in three months and the Barton saga have made life difficult for the former Toon Army favorite.
However, it has been Shearer's fault that he has had no real coaching philosophy nor does he appear to have had any desire to settle on one.
The results have been a disaster (one win and five points out of a possible 24). Shearer is clearly in over his head as a manager at the Premier League level.
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