MARK Lawrenson was accused of picking on Wanderers today after claiming Michael Ricketts has no chance of going to the World Cup.

Bolton fans have been outraged by the controversial pundit's suggestion that Ricketts and Aston Villa striker Darius Vassell are wasting their time and will need to score hat-tricks in tomorrow night's friendly in Holland to stand any chance of booking their tickets to Japan and Korea.

But Reebok loyalists reckon 'Lawro', who has repeatedly tipped Wanderers for the drop, it once again showing his true colours.

"I think he just likes to be controversial," rapped Eileen Rigby, secretary of the Supporters Association.

"He just likes to get people going but I think with us it's a little bit of sour grapes. After all, he's a Preston fan!"

Supporters believe Lawrenson has never given Wanderers a chance in the Premiership since beating Preston 3-0 in last season's Play-off Final at the Millennium Stadium. His criticism prompted one group to challenge him to put is famous moustache on the line in a charity bet - a challenge he has sportingly accepted.

"I'm dying to see him without his tache," Mrs Rigby added, "and I'm dying to see Michael play for England.

"We're all delighted he's been called up because it's good for Michael, the club and the town.

"It doesn't matter what Lawrenson says. We think he deserves to be in there."

Lawrensen appears to have had a change of heart, however, criticising Sven Goran Eriksson's selection only weeks after agreeing with fellow BBC Match of the Day pundits Gary Lineker and Alan Hansen that Ricketts "deserves a chance".

In the Daily Mirror today, Lawrensen says he has "absolutely no chance of going to the World Cup" and claims Eriksson has made some serious errors with his surprise selections.

He describes Ricketts and Vassell as "good players for the future" but says England's tried and trusted strikers - Michael Owen, Emile Heskey, Robbie Fowler and Teddy Sheringham "pick themselves with Owen and Heskey undoubtedly the first choice pairing".

"Ricketts has enjoyed a good first full season in the Premiership," he acknowledges, "and I know Bolton fans will think I'm picking on them again but he is not in the same league as the others.

"You can vaguely see that Ricketts could provide cover for Emile Heskey but does even the most loyal Bolton fan really think he will go to the World Cup?"

Simon Madrell, one of the fans who issued the moustache challenge, said: "Lawrenson's in danger of becoming a parody of himself. You can have respect for people who have a deeply-held opinion - even if you don't agree with them - provided they are consistent. But, when they alter their opinion for a different agenda, you lose that respect.

"Why is he is saying this now after saying three weeks ago that Michael was 'worth a chance'?"