League 1 - Bolton, Bury & Coventry

[tonyw]

You can’t just call a game off like that, joke situation, are they not going to play until their injured players are fit? Till the senior players are willing to play? Till the takeover happens? Or will they just pick and choose till this situation is sorted out one way or another?

To be fair - they only have two injured players, and all their remaining senior players are already playing. At the moment, they don't have anyone else to call on.

They called the game off because - not unreasonably - they don't want a bunch of 18 year olds getting a kicking from seasoned senior pros twice in the space of four days. It would be pretty damaging, mentally and physically, for those kids. Regardless of what it means for the club and the league in general - it isn't fair to expect a bunch of teenagers, who should be playing in the youth leagues against their peers, to turn out again for the senior team so soon after their last shoeing.

They'll get another points deduction for this; in fact in general, they're now digging themselves such a deep hole that even if the takeover happens soon, and even if they can find a dozen experienced pros who'll come in and play for them, they'll still have too much to do to realistically escape relegation.

But the cancellation should cause the EFL to act, rather than keep sitting on their hands hoping for the best as they have been doing.

 

[Steve Gilbert]

So we have 2 possible situations regarding Bolton:

The either sort the take over out and get some players in so that they can play games which then means teams like Tranmere have just been given a free +4 added to their goal difference along with a free 3 points which could effect relegation/promotion places.

They get kicked out by the EFL and all games are cancelled however the last day of the season for everyone else is different to us. Therefore there could be even greater pressure on us to get results in the bag if we are challenging for a play off spot because like is usually the case, anything can happen on the last day with teams needing wins etc.

 

[holdsteady]

To be fair - they only have two injured players, and all their remaining senior players are already playing. At the moment, they don't have anyone else to call on.

They called the game off because - not unreasonably - they don't want a bunch of 18 year olds getting a kicking from seasoned senior pros twice in the space of four days. It would be pretty damaging, mentally and physically, for those kids. Regardless of what it means for the club and the league in general - it isn't fair to expect a bunch of teenagers, who should be playing in the youth leagues against their peers, to turn out again for the senior team so soon after their last shoeing.

They'll get another points deduction for this; in fact in general, they're now digging themselves such a deep hole that even if the takeover happens soon, and even if they can find a dozen experienced pros who'll come in and play for them, they'll still have too much to do to realistically escape relegation.

But the cancellation should cause the EFL to act, rather than keep sitting on their hands hoping for the best as they have been doing.

Apparently they called it off before informing the FL and Doncaster, if that’s true then they should get a hell of a points deduction.

Professional football clubs should have enough players to fulfill their fixtures, they don’t have to be good but that’s about as basic as it gets.

 

[tonyw]

Apparently they called it off before informing the FL and Doncaster, if that’s true then they should get a hell of a points deduction.

Professional football clubs should have enough players to fulfill their fixtures, they don’t have to be good but that’s about as basic as it gets.

Well of course they should - but Bolton don't because they haven't been able to pay any, and won't be able to until their takeover gets resolved.

Now the EFL should have dealt with that by postponing their fixtures like Bury's. But they didn't.

A bunch of Bolton youngsters shouldn't have to pay for those myriad mistakes (by Bolton's former owners, the administrators and the EFL) by getting battered in public twice a week...…..

 

[holdsteady]

Well of course they should - but Bolton don't because they haven't been able to pay any, and won't be able to until their takeover gets resolved.

Now the EFL should have dealt with that by postponing their fixtures like Bury's. But they didn't.

A bunch of Bolton youngsters shouldn't have to pay for those myriad mistakes (by Bolton's former owners, the administrators and the EFL) by getting battered in public twice a week...…..

Is it much worse than get hammered once a week?

 

[warksox]

EFL statement saying ..............nothing very much. Why do they bother?

Homepage - The English Football League

The Official home of the English Football League

www.efl.com

 

[mooro]

The one issue with basically suspending them for this season and then letting them back in to League 2 next season, is that that is not really fair on those clubs lower down the ladder who have managed to keep their house in order. If they are not in a position to play this season, then the should be excluded and start again further down the ladder - harsh, but fair.

I do however, think that common sense could be allowed to prevail with regard to Bolton and the midweek games (tomorrow and sept 17th). I dont think it would cause particular hardship to anyone if these were to be re-arranged for later in the season, if they can continue getting a side out for the weekend games.

Of course, all this should have been sorted before the season actually kicked off, with a hard deadline drawn in the sand, after which they were excluded. However, that line was not drawn and the two situations were allowed to drag on past varous interim deadlines, too soft to force the last gasp resolution that being on the true brink can bring.

That line has now been drawn for Bury, but it seemsfrom the outside that there are some very strong indicators that a positive end is in sight at Bolton, for them to be allowed to carry on in this holding pattern, btu whether that is actually the case I dont know...

Finally, if Bolton DO survive to play the rest of the season, perhaps there should some sort of stipulation that from say April onwards, they are restricted to selecting a team from a defined list of those players available NOW. Either for every game; every game involving a side with something to play for; or pehaps say that they have to play each team once during the season using that limited squad, to keep things balanced.

 

[mooro]

EFL statement saying ..............nothing very much. Why do they bother?

Homepage - The English Football League

The Official home of the English Football League

www.efl.com

"....... interfaced........"

 

[warksox]

The either sort the take over out and get some players in so that they can play games which then means teams like Tranmere have just been given a free +4 added to their goal difference along with a free 3 points which could effect relegation/promotion places.

It was actually +5 goals...................and even the Tranmere fans think it's unfair:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1163507480669884416

 

[Marked Ox]

The one issue with basically suspending them for this season and then letting them back in to League 2 next season, is that that is not really fair on those clubs lower down the ladder who have managed to keep their house in order. If they are not in a position to play this season, then the should be excluded and start again further down the ladder - harsh, but fair.

I do however, think that common sense could be allowed to prevail with regard to Bolton and the midweek games (tomorrow and sept 17th). I dont think it would cause particular hardship to anyone if these were to be re-arranged for later in the season, if they can continue getting a side out for the weekend games.

Of course, all this should have been sorted before the season actually kicked off, with a hard deadline drawn in the sand, after which they were excluded. However, that line was not drawn and the two situations were allowed to drag on past varous interim deadlines, too soft to force the last gasp resolution that being on the true brink can bring.

That line has now been drawn for Bury, but it seemsfrom the outside that there are some very strong indicators that a positive end is in sight at Bolton, for them to be allowed to carry on in this holding pattern, btu whether that is actually the case I dont know...

Finally, if Bolton DO survive to play the rest of the season, perhaps there should some sort of stipulation that from say April onwards, they are restricted to selecting a team from a defined list of those players available NOW. Either for every game; every game involving a side with something to play for; or pehaps say that they have to play each team once during the season using that limited squad, to keep things balanced.

Having a read of the Bolton forum, there takeover is looking less sure of happening. Football Ventures plans are based on them getting the Hotel as well in a separate admin process and that is not looking particularly great at this moment.

 

[FalmouthOx]

Is it much worse than get hammered once a week?

Getting hammered twice every Saturday @ 18 years old didn't have any negative effect on my mental health - dry your eyes BWFC - big boys don't cry

 

[Marked Ox]

Getting hammered twice every Saturday @ 18 years old didn't have any negative effect on my mental health - dry your eyes BWFC - big boys don't cry

Watch the animation about Joey Beauchamp and in particular the bits about mental health and the prevailing attitude to it at the time.

 

[brokeandobscure]

Getting hammered twice every Saturday @ 18 years old didn't have any negative effect on my mental health - dry your eyes BWFC - big boys don't cry

What level did you play at?

 

[MarkG]

The conference agm trophy perhaps has its merits ?

 

[Gary Baldi]

There was an embarrassing puff piece in the Times on Saturday about Bolton and Bury by their new Chief Exec. I can't be the only reader who got the feeling that they were can kicking as much as possible to avoid the embarrassment of one or two of their own going bust. What the EFL need to do is lead, and I just don't see it.

 

[Sussexox]

The integrity of Div 1 has been compromised. Bolton are now deciding when they want to play. The teams that have already played them (Coventry aside) have benefited. Those who play them after they strengthen will be disadvantaged. At least everyone playing Bury will be on a level playing field.
But they can't be treated any different, so EFL grow some and suspend them both now and expunge Boltons results.

 

[oufc1991]

It’s a joke the EFL just need to get there head out of there backside and chuck both teams out the league I mean what happens in November when a team got to play accy on a Tuesday night and they think nah it’s to cold we can just postpone it it’s getting comical and it all could of been avoided also what’s happened to bury 1st round LG cup tie because there second round is next week

 

[holdsteady]

It’s a joke the EFL just need to get there head out of there backside and chuck both teams out the league I mean what happens in November when a team got to play accy on a Tuesday night and they think nah it’s to cold we can just postpone it it’s getting comical and it all could of been avoided also what’s happened to bury 1st round LG cup tie because there second round is next week

You would think they would just kick Bury out of the league cup this Friday even if they allow them an (undeserved) extension in the league.

I have a feeling Bury will be booted out of the FL on/after Friday though, they are a small enough club for the FL to show some teeeth against and having not played any games it’s fairly straight forward.

 

[Grumpy Git]

You would think they would just kick Bury out of the league cup this Friday even if they allow them an (undeserved) extension in the league.

I have a feeling Bury will be booted out of the FL on/after Friday though, they are a small enough club for the FL to show some teeeth against and having not played any games it’s fairly straight forward.

They both need to be expelled. They have both had enough chances to provide the EFL with a solution. What seems to be happening is that with BWFC, there are some extremely dodgy offers coming in from people who do not seem fit and proper. They are not fans, more like vultures circling the corpse. The EFL should bury the corpses.

 

[Yellow hert]

It’s a joke the EFL just need to get there head out of there backside and chuck both teams out the league I mean what happens in November when a team got to play accy on a Tuesday night and they think nah it’s to cold we can just postpone it it’s getting comical and it all could of been avoided also what’s happened to bury 1st round LG cup tie because there second round is next week

Bury actually have a bigger first team squad even though Bolton were allowed to make two loan signings so watch the fireworks if Bury are expelled and Bolton are not regardless of a potential new owner.
What is to stop Dale also saying he has a potential buyer like Bolton have, there are people interested just not willing to pay him for his ‘work’ saving the club.