Wanderers took a massive step toward survival in the Barclays Premier League after coming from behind at the Britannia Stadium to seal a dramatic 2-1 victory thanks to Matthew Taylor's late brace.
"The first half I felt we were as poor as we have been, certainly since I have come here," Coyle said. "But if you're asking where did the win come from, you just have to watch the second half. I thought we should have equalised before we did and there is no doubt in my mind that we were the team in the ascendancy."
He added: "I thought the second-half performance was of a very high standard and if you analyse it, I think we merited the three points - accepting it was very late, but that is the nature of football.''
"My focus (at half-time) was on trying to get back into the game, one I still believed we could win. I genuinely believed that and the players will tell you, because they know what I had to say to them.
"There was certainly one or two choice words used, because I felt they were well below what they can offer for this football club."
Stoke boss Tony Pulis noted that referee Stuart Attwell seemed to pause before awarding the free-kick from which Taylor fired Bolton's equaliser.
"What surprised me was the hesitation," he said. "If it's a free-kick, it's a free-kick and he's seen it. Why does he let it run for two or three seconds, then bring it back? But we have to take it on the chin."
Pulis denied having any problem with Tuncay - who went straight down the tunnel after being substituted in the second half - but stressed he would not hesitate to make the same decision again.
"It makes no difference - if I have to pull him off next week, I'll pull him off," Pulis said. "If by doing that he thinks that is going to affect me and what I do, that won't be the case - I will always do what is best for the team.''
Source: PA
Source: PA