ALI AL-HABSI believes the way Bolton played against Manchester United can put them in a positive mood for the game against Manchester City on Saturday.

The shot stopper who has been given the number one slot following Jussi Jaaskelainen's injury, had a good game on Wednesday night and was impressed by the improvements made by the Whites from their game at Wigan at the weekend.

The Oman international has no doubt that the match against City can be a turning point for Wanderers season.

"The City game is a really important game for us because it is a home game and we really need the three points, but we are confident," he said.

"Our position now is tough but I think it will be a good weekend for us."

Al-Habsi has been waiting patiently to show the his ability in the Barclay's Premier League and his chance has now come but he said he didn't mind waiting behind a keeper he regards as one of the best in the league.

"It's a very hard season but as a player, you wait for chances like this and it doesn't matter.

"I knew that day would come one day, and it has been a long time but Bolton have one of the best keepers in the country in Jussi Jaaskelainen and he has had ten years with Bolton.

"The goalkeeping coach always told me I have to be patient and wait for my chance.

"You never know when that chance is coming, and when this time comes you have to be ready.

"I played in the Carling Cup against Fulham and in the UEFA Cup against Bayern Munich and Red Star and I think I had a good performance and showed confidence.

"When you play a Premier League game, it's very different, I saw it yesterday when I played against United.

"The pace of the ball and the quality of the players, it is harder, but I really enjoy it!"

On the subject of Bolton's future in the league and the remaining games left in the season, Al-Habsi was confident his team-mates can start producing positive results, starting with City on Saturday.

"Everyone knows that Bolton have good players, experienced players and we can go away from that position and hopefully that will start at the City game," he said.

"We are going to have four games at home and I think this is the key for Bolton to win these games and stay in the Premier League.

"When we work like a team, you get a good performance and I hope this is a start for me and for the team and we can continue to perform and win the eight games left.

"We have to be together and we have to be one, we have very experienced players and we can go away from that position, we can go through this and with the players that we've got, I think we can do it.

"I have to concentrate for the team, I do not play for myself, I play for Bolton, we are all thinking for the team and for Bolton."