Change In Fortune Pleases Cahill

Wanderers have been struck with the curse of conceding late goals in recent weeks and Gary Cahill, for one, was delighted to see a welcome change in fortune against Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend.

Strikes in the dying minutes from Niklas Bendtner, Dimitar Berbatov and Benni McCarthy had robbed the Whites of points since the turn of the year.

But on Saturday the roles were reversed when Kevin Davies stooped to head Bolton to a fully deserved victory over Harry Redknapp's Spurs with only three minutes remaining on the clock.

Cahill acknowledged that it was a relief to record the first victory in seven games and he now hopes that the three points will install a winning mentality in the squad for the remainder of the season.

He said: "If I'm honest, since I have been here then it has probably gone the other way around. I said to the lads that it was probably one of the first times that we have got the late goal, which is pleasing and shows that we go right until the end and that we never give up.

"But we definitely deserved the win and there were a lot of good performances out there. It should have been a lot more comfortable towards the end of the game than what we made it, but we showed some good character.

"It was a great win and we made it hard work - we always do! But it would have been an injustice if we hadn't got the three points, and like l say, there were a lot of good performances out there.

"It was a massive result because it was a big disappointment last Wednesday night because that would have been a big result as well. We went into the game at the weekend knowing that there would have been nothing else acceptable apart from a win.

"We are playing the teams around us now so we have to get that winning mentality and it doesn't really matter how we do it. At the end of the day we came away with three points so was a great result."

Cahill was also delighted to see his new team mate Mark Davies impress on his home debut.

The 20-year-old earned the plaudits in the national media for his contribution in midfield, and Cahill is assured that Gary Megson has made a genuine coup in securing his services from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

"It was probably one of the best home debuts that you will see this season - you couldn't really ask much more of the lad," said Cahill. "I wondered how he would take to it, coming straight in against a Tottenham team that like to play football and are technically good, but I thought he was outstanding.

"Sometimes as a defender you just want to have a breather and give the midfielder the ball and let him do his work. That's what he did on Saturday and I thought he was brilliant.

"The lads have welcomed him with open arms and there is a great atmosphere in the dressing room. It's a lively, fun place and everyone gets along with everyone and people socialise off the field.

"There was never going to be a problem with him settling into the dressing room so there is no doubt that he will come out of his shell in the next couple of weeks."

Cahill was partnered in central defence by Sebastien Puygrenier, who was making his second start for the Whites since joining from Zenit St Petersburg.

The former Aston Villa man was encouraged with the way that the pairing is blossoming, despite the language barriers.

Cahill added: "There was sign language and allsorts going on, but he understands the basics. Obviously he has played a high level so you would expect him to know what he is doing, but again I thought he was excellent.

"It's going to be great for his confidence to get himself off with a goal on his home debut. It was a pleasing day all round."