Dem Bones, Dem Bones, Dem Bare Bones....

[GhostoftheBok]

So he’s out 6 weeks then?

Back training in a few days and immediately does his hamstring properly running on the pitches at Lostock after the snow turns them into a marsh, yeah.

[BWFC_Insane]

So he’s out 6 weeks then?

Back training in a few days and immediately does his hamstring properly running on the pitches at Lostock after the snow turns them into a marsh, yeah.

Going off Evatts previous I won’t expect him back any time soon.

Jerome been about 4 times longer. Nlundulu was 3 times longer than he claimed.

[Worthy4England]

So he’s out 6 weeks then?

Back training in a few days and immediately does his hamstring properly running on the pitches at Lostock after the snow turns them into a marsh, yeah.

I'm not at all medical, but I'd be stunned if "pitches did hamstrings" more than a million other factors...like not stretching etc.

[brommers95]

I know all teams get injuries, but it does sort of feel like our sports science department could do with some investment this summer…

[GhostoftheBok]

I'm not at all medical, but I'd be stunned if "pitches did hamstrings" more than a million other factors...like not stretching etc.

I was joking, but unexpected impacts can cause all kinds of injuries. I did my ACL because one section of the pitch didn't respond like the rest of it. A friend did his hamstring and needed surgery because a bit of the pitch was too soft and his foot flexed too far and *pop*, his season was over.

I imagine we will avoid the training pitches if the weather gets bad next week and will use the stadium; but if they become unusable in bad weather they're a bit useless. Not sure how you'd fix them (or how much it would cost), but it'll probably need to go on the list.

[Worthy4England]

I'm not at all medical, but I'd be stunned if "pitches did hamstrings" more than a million other factors...like not stretching etc.

I was joking, but unexpected impacts can cause all kinds of injuries. I did my ACL because one section of the pitch didn't respond like the rest of it. A friend did his hamstring and needed surgery because a bit of the pitch was too soft and his foot flexed too far and *pop*, his season was over.

I imagine we will avoid the training pitches if the weather gets bad next week and will use the stadium; but if they become unusable in bad weather they're a bit useless. Not sure how you'd fix them (or how much it would cost), but it'll probably need to go on the list.

Yeah, I can understand someone could do a hammy on a pitch. I get that bit. It's more the production line aspect that we seem to have mastered...

[DJBlu]

Victor's injury not as bad as first thought, potential for him to be in the squad vs Ipswich. Although Evatt says it's a slight chance.

[BWFC_Insane]

Victor's injury not as bad as first thought, potential for him to be in the squad vs Ipswich. Although Evatt says it's a slight chance.

First thought was he’d be fit for Portsmouth, hence him being in the squad…

[GhostoftheBok]

Only having one striker we can rely on every week is a massive weakness for us, especially with how we play.

We need Johnston, MJ, etc back and/or fully fit; but the lack of strikers is the biggest issue.

The back three and that midfield base of Morley and Dempsey is something to build on. We need to get the front three working if we have serious designs on going up and winning the cup.

The fitness of Nlundulu, Jerome and Adeboyejo will determine a lot. The five goals from defenders was great, but forwards are where the money is.

[BWFC_Insane]

Only having one striker we can rely on every week is a massive weakness for us, especially with how we play.

We need Johnston, MJ, etc back and/or fully fit; but the lack of strikers is the biggest issue.

The back three and that midfield base of Morley and Dempsey is something to build on. We need to get the front three working if we have serious designs on going up and winning the cup.

The fitness of Nlundulu, Jerome and Adeboyejo will determine a lot. The five goals from defenders was great, but forwards are where the money is.

When all fit our best 11 is…

Trafford
Bradley
Toal
Santos
Johnston
John
Morley
Dempsey
Lee
Bod
Charles

It doesn’t say a huge amount for January.

[The_Gun]

Only having one striker we can rely on every week is a massive weakness for us, especially with how we play.

We need Johnston, MJ, etc back and/or fully fit; but the lack of strikers is the biggest issue.

The back three and that midfield base of Morley and Dempsey is something to build on. We need to get the front three working if we have serious designs on going up and winning the cup.

The fitness of Nlundulu, Jerome and Adeboyejo will determine a lot. The five goals from defenders was great, but forwards are where the money is.

When all fit our best 11 is…

Trafford
Bradley
Toal
Santos
Johnston
John
Morley
Dempsey
Lee
Bod
Charles

It doesn’t say a huge amount for January.

I would strongly dispute John would be in our best XI, also Vic and Nlundulu haven't had enough time to say they're definitely not better options than Dad Bod.

[BWFC_Insane]

Only having one striker we can rely on every week is a massive weakness for us, especially with how we play.

We need Johnston, MJ, etc back and/or fully fit; but the lack of strikers is the biggest issue.

The back three and that midfield base of Morley and Dempsey is something to build on. We need to get the front three working if we have serious designs on going up and winning the cup.

The fitness of Nlundulu, Jerome and Adeboyejo will determine a lot. The five goals from defenders was great, but forwards are where the money is.

When all fit our best 11 is…

Trafford
Bradley
Toal
Santos
Johnston
John
Morley
Dempsey
Lee
Bod
Charles

It doesn’t say a huge amount for January.

I would strongly dispute John would be in our best XI, also Vic and Nlundulu haven't had enough time to say they're definitely not better options than Dad Bod.

Vic maybe. So far not but I think he’s not bad. Nlundulu I will be amazed if this season he would be a better option than Bod. Looks really far from that. Yes he’s been injured. But looks like there is a LOT to learn there.

John is John. But Williams hasn’t looked very good after initially promising and looks like he cannot manage 90 minutes or close to it. He turns to jelly after about half an hour. Yes that’s fitness but I also don’t see him playing well enough to overcome that issue either yet. In fact I think his issues are same as John maybe for different reasons. Struggling for the running required.

[The_Gun]

Only having one striker we can rely on every week is a massive weakness for us, especially with how we play.

We need Johnston, MJ, etc back and/or fully fit; but the lack of strikers is the biggest issue.

The back three and that midfield base of Morley and Dempsey is something to build on. We need to get the front three working if we have serious designs on going up and winning the cup.

The fitness of Nlundulu, Jerome and Adeboyejo will determine a lot. The five goals from defenders was great, but forwards are where the money is.

When all fit our best 11 is…

Trafford
Bradley
Toal
Santos
Johnston
John
Morley
Dempsey
Lee
Bod
Charles

It doesn’t say a huge amount for January.

I would strongly dispute John would be in our best XI, also Vic and Nlundulu haven't had enough time to say they're definitely not better options than Dad Bod.

Vic maybe. So far not but I think he’s not bad. Nlundulu I will be amazed if this season he would be a better option than Bod. Looks really far from that. Yes he’s been injured. But looks like there is a LOT to learn there.

John is John. But Williams hasn’t looked very good after initially promising and looks like he cannot manage 90 minutes or close to it. He turns to jelly after about half an hour. Yes that’s fitness but I also don’t see him playing well enough to overcome that issue either yet. In fact I think his issues are same as John maybe for different reasons. Struggling for the running required.

John has had one good game since he's been back in the team, but otherwise he's reverted to type. He was awful on Saturday, and I don't think has the mentality to play for a top team in League One. Williams hasn't blown me away yet, but I'd take him over John, and if we're talking a full strength squad then Iredale is probably the starter at LWB.

It's easy to make snap decisions on very little evidence, but we've had plenty of players who have started slowly and then kicked on, so I'd give Vic and Dan a bit of time. For what it's worth, I thought Dan looked good when he came on against Morecambe.

[TANGODANCER]

Mentioning Williams brings the question, what's the score with M.J ? Not seen much of him but I did think he would be a useful game turner going forward. Is he out of the running? A strong lad who might be an option when we'r'e under pressure?

[BWFC_Insane]

Mentioning Williams brings the question, what's the score with M.J ? Not seen much of him but I did think he would be a useful game turner going forward. Is he out of the running? A strong lad who might be an option when we'r'e under pressure?

Back soon I think. In training soon. Not sure if he’d be considered for Saturday but I agree. We need him in certain situations. Portsmouth away being one.

[TANGODANCER]

Mentioning Williams brings the question, what's the score with M.J ? Not seen much of him but I did think he would be a useful game turner going forward. Is he out of the running? A strong lad who might be an option when we'r'e under pressure?

Back soon I think. In training soon. Not sure if he’d be considered for Saturday but I agree. We need him in certain situations. Portsmouth away being one.

I always imagine Williams (M.J.) in a sort of Henderson role that might put a bit of extra pressure in our attack; horses for courses, but a useful bencher maybe.

[Prufrock]

I'd suggest that given we don't know the circumstances we do not speculate. Other than on sentencing which is of course reasonable debate - waiting on Pru!

So, I'm not a criminal lawyer... I was previously v confident this wouldn't be an issue any time soon when he pleaded not guilty in the Mags and elected crown court. That meant, with the current court's system, a long delay.

My best reckon now is it's unlikely he'll go to jail, but there's a non-zero chance he might.

It's made more difficult because court reporting is often done by junior non-specialist journalists and there also isn't much detail so it's hard to be clear on what's going on but my best reckon is:

They've pleaded guilty on a basis (that their self-defence was excessive) which hasn't yet been accepted by the prosecution. One of two things happens now: they agree a basis e.g. the circumstances around excessive self defence. If they do that then they'll be sentenced in April and my best non-expert reading of the sentencing guidelines was a starting point of a high level community order (i.e. no jail) but it's tough to have any certainty without more info on the extent of the injuries etc. That could be lessened factoring in (I assume) no criminal record, a relatively early plea etc or increased (suspended jail term, actual jail term) if the injuries were worse or the were other aggravating factors.

If they can't agree the basis, there'll need to be a fact-finding hearing which will almost certainly push any sentencing beyond the end of the season.

My feel is that it's serious enough that if it had gone to trial and they'd been found guilty there was a real risk of jail time but they think the plea on basis at this stage will be enough to keep them out. But that's pure conjecture on a "why would you change your plea now?" 'game theory' basis.

[BWFC_Insane]

I'd suggest that given we don't know the circumstances we do not speculate. Other than on sentencing which is of course reasonable debate - waiting on Pru!

So, I'm not a criminal lawyer... I was previously v confident this wouldn't be an issue any time soon when he pleaded not guilty in the Mags and elected crown court. That meant, with the current court's system, a long delay.

My best reckon now is it's unlikely he'll go to jail, but there's a non-zero chance he might.

It's made more difficult because court reporting is often done by junior non-specialist journalists and there also isn't much detail so it's hard to be clear on what's going on but my best reckon is:

They've pleaded guilty on a basis (that their self-defence was excessive) which hasn't yet been accepted by the prosecution. One of two things happens now: they agree a basis e.g. the circumstances around excessive self defence. If they do that then they'll be sentenced in April and my best non-expert reading of the sentencing guidelines was a starting point of a high level community order (i.e. no jail) but it's tough to have any certainty without more info on the extent of the injuries etc. That could be lessened factoring in (I assume) no criminal record, a relatively early plea etc or increased (suspended jail term, actual jail term) if the injuries were worse or the were other aggravating factors.

If they can't agree the basis, there'll need to be a fact-finding hearing which will almost certainly push any sentencing beyond the end of the season.

My feel is that it's serious enough that if it had gone to trial and they'd been found guilty there was a real risk of jail time but they think the plea on basis at this stage will be enough to keep them out. But that's pure conjecture on a "why would you change your plea now?" 'game theory' basis.

Thanks. Very insightful. Somewhat worrying.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Evatt: “we are cautiously optimistic that one, if not both of Eoin and Rico will be back in the next week or two.”

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... am-senior/

[BWFC_Insane]

Evatt: “we are cautiously optimistic that one, if not both of Eoin and Rico will be back in the next week or two.”

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... am-senior/

One assumes in the same post-match round of interviews he also said....

"We're doing our best to get Rico and Eoin recovered but, at the moment, it doesn't look great.

"Possibly, if we do make it (to the play-offs), but for now these boys are what we've got and they're giving it absolutely everything to try and get us over the line."

I've learned to take what Evatt says about injuries with a pinch of salt. His prognoses have been wildly inaccurate thus far!