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Just when you think Wanderers had been subjected to every off-the-field distraction you could imagine, along comes another.
Thankfully, football managers have been dealing with this sort of inconvenience since time immemorial.
Not to trivialise the incident but Josh Vela isn’t the first footballer to be ejected from a licensed premise and he won’t be the last.
Celebrating a friend’s birthday along with a handful of other people, including team-mate David Wheater, it is alleged the midfielder threatened and swore at staff in a local restaurant. The club have launched an investigation and Phil Parkinson is expected to give his opinion at his weekly press conference this afternoon.
The manager could certainly do without such diversions as he prepares his team for a potentially season-defining game. Already embroiled in delicate negotiations with the Football League over the transfer embargo and his quota of players, this is the latest in a procession of nonsense which has been fired his way.
In isolation, what Vela is alleged to have done is sadly the kind of thing you’ll see from young men in plenty of establishments around town this weekend, and for many weekends to come.
What he might just have learned – if he didn’t know already – is that as a recognisable face, a player revered by many Wanderers fans, any negative public behaviour is going to be noticed. Rightly or wrongly, footballers are held up as role models. Some wear that burden better than others but the higher you go up the football pyramid, the more intense the attention becomes, especially in a goldfish bowl like Bolton.
Vela played in the top flight, briefly, and has the potential to do so again. He will need some good fortune but will also need to make the right decisions, listen to the right people.
Some argue that players should not be socialising in such a manner, either as professional athletes, or in such close proximity to a game like the one they face this weekend at Fleetwood Town. In my opinion, it boils down to responsibility.
First-team footballers are grown adults and are capable of making their own choices. It is reasonable to assume that too many late nights could impact negatively on a playing career – but that is an individual’s right to choose.
Bolton Wanderers manager ‘apologises’ for Josh Vela who allegedly threatened and swore at restaurant staff
In Vela’s case, his attacking game has really come on this season. He looks to be enjoying his football under Phil Parkinson and has scored some crucial goals for the club. His indiscretion at the weekend came 24 hours after the 1-1 draw against AFC Wimbledon, a game in which he played particularly well.
So for this to derail any of the positive things he has managed to accomplish this term would be a sad thing indeed.
Whether they like it or not, players represent the club – and by extension the support – seven days a week, on the field or not.
Laddish behaviour is one thing but clearly on this occasion the behaviour of the group, Vela included, on Sunday has fallen below the levels you would expect. It is no reason for a witch-hunt and ideally he will spend the rest of the campaign looking to win over any doubters, or ram the words of critics back into their laptop.
Whatever punishment Phil Parkinson chooses, if any, Vela should take it, apologise, and double his efforts from here on in. The whole matter will be quickly forgotten if he continues to play a significant part in a promotion campaign.
Bolton Wanderers footballer ordered to leave Retreat restaurant after alleged foul language and threats towards staff
Some supporters believe there has been an over-reaction over Vela, others have condemned his behaviour in no uncertain terms. That too appears to be a personal preference.
One thing is certain – Vela can make sure we are talking about him for the right reasons this weekend at Fleetwood. Time heals all wounds, not least in football.
Source
Thankfully, football managers have been dealing with this sort of inconvenience since time immemorial.
Not to trivialise the incident but Josh Vela isn’t the first footballer to be ejected from a licensed premise and he won’t be the last.
Celebrating a friend’s birthday along with a handful of other people, including team-mate David Wheater, it is alleged the midfielder threatened and swore at staff in a local restaurant. The club have launched an investigation and Phil Parkinson is expected to give his opinion at his weekly press conference this afternoon.
The manager could certainly do without such diversions as he prepares his team for a potentially season-defining game. Already embroiled in delicate negotiations with the Football League over the transfer embargo and his quota of players, this is the latest in a procession of nonsense which has been fired his way.
In isolation, what Vela is alleged to have done is sadly the kind of thing you’ll see from young men in plenty of establishments around town this weekend, and for many weekends to come.
What he might just have learned – if he didn’t know already – is that as a recognisable face, a player revered by many Wanderers fans, any negative public behaviour is going to be noticed. Rightly or wrongly, footballers are held up as role models. Some wear that burden better than others but the higher you go up the football pyramid, the more intense the attention becomes, especially in a goldfish bowl like Bolton.
Vela played in the top flight, briefly, and has the potential to do so again. He will need some good fortune but will also need to make the right decisions, listen to the right people.
Some argue that players should not be socialising in such a manner, either as professional athletes, or in such close proximity to a game like the one they face this weekend at Fleetwood Town. In my opinion, it boils down to responsibility.
First-team footballers are grown adults and are capable of making their own choices. It is reasonable to assume that too many late nights could impact negatively on a playing career – but that is an individual’s right to choose.
Bolton Wanderers manager ‘apologises’ for Josh Vela who allegedly threatened and swore at restaurant staff
In Vela’s case, his attacking game has really come on this season. He looks to be enjoying his football under Phil Parkinson and has scored some crucial goals for the club. His indiscretion at the weekend came 24 hours after the 1-1 draw against AFC Wimbledon, a game in which he played particularly well.
So for this to derail any of the positive things he has managed to accomplish this term would be a sad thing indeed.
Whether they like it or not, players represent the club – and by extension the support – seven days a week, on the field or not.
Laddish behaviour is one thing but clearly on this occasion the behaviour of the group, Vela included, on Sunday has fallen below the levels you would expect. It is no reason for a witch-hunt and ideally he will spend the rest of the campaign looking to win over any doubters, or ram the words of critics back into their laptop.
Whatever punishment Phil Parkinson chooses, if any, Vela should take it, apologise, and double his efforts from here on in. The whole matter will be quickly forgotten if he continues to play a significant part in a promotion campaign.
Bolton Wanderers footballer ordered to leave Retreat restaurant after alleged foul language and threats towards staff
Some supporters believe there has been an over-reaction over Vela, others have condemned his behaviour in no uncertain terms. That too appears to be a personal preference.
One thing is certain – Vela can make sure we are talking about him for the right reasons this weekend at Fleetwood. Time heals all wounds, not least in football.
Source
