GUDNI Bergsson urged the missing fans today to fill the Reebok and cheer Wanderers into the Premiership.

Though confident his team - currently lying fifth in the table - can clinch top flight promotion for the third time in seven seasons, the straight-talking skipper believes a packed stadium can make all the difference.

"It's very important for us to get as many people down to the Reebok as we possibly can," he stressed. "It makes a big difference to us when we've got 20,000 rather than 13-14,000.

"It's important financially for the club as well."

As the Bolton players lined up to give their support to the club's half-season ticket initiative, Bergsson underlined the growing confidence in the dressing room by insisting: "We are as good as anyone in this league. It has to be said that Fulham are pulling away a bit but, never mind them, we are sitting fairly pretty and hopefully we can achieve automatic promotion, which is our aim."

Sam Allardyce has already voiced his disappointment that, despite being in the top six for most of the season, Wanderers' average crowd is little more than 15,000 with the last five matches pulling in fewer than 14,000 apiece.

Players have echoed the manager's frustration with Bergsson admitting: "It has been a little bit disappointing for us that the crowds have not been bigger. We know what the financial situation is and know how important it is to get more people into the ground - not just for the atmosphere.

"If we get the crowds, we get the revenue and the manager has more money to spend to strengthen the squad. Then we can go on to better things - promotion, the Premiership ... !"

Having twice suffered the disappointment of instant relegation after previous promotion successes, the veteran Icelander hints that Wanderers could land lucky at the third time of asking. Drawing on the way Ipswich, Charlton and Manchester City have taken to life in the Premiership, he rubbishes suggestions that the standard of the current First Division is poor and explains: "It's encouraging to see how well the teams who were promoted last season are doing.

"That gives you an indication of what can be achieved when you are promoted. I just don't agree that the First Division is any weaker. If anything, it's a bit stronger."