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Keith Hill was cursing his luck last night after playmaker Ali Crawford was struck down with a “potentially serious” knee injury.
The Scottish midfielder was stretchered off in stoppage time as Wanderers beat Manchester City’s Under-21s 3-1 to put themselves in pole position to qualify for the knockout stages of the Leasing.com Trophy.
Crawford’s injury soured the celebrations after two second-half goals from Chris O’Grady put Bolton into the ascendancy, adding yet another name to a lengthy injury list.
“We’ve been struck by another lightning bolt,” Keith Hill said after the final whistle. “And I am getting fed up of the footballing gods.
“Unfortunately again it looks like we have picked up a serious injury. It’s not a question of whether he should have played the game tonight, it’s just very bad luck. It was innocuous. I think he twisted his knee and potentially it could be such a serious injury.”
It has also emerged that Josh Earl suffered another injury at Bristol Rovers last week which means he is unlikely to feature in this weekend’s home game against Fleetwood.
Hill also said his decision to haul off James Weir in the first half had not been planned.
Sonny Graham was brought on for the former Manchester United and Wigan Athletic midfielder several minutes before the break and the Bolton boss said it had been entirely based on his performance.
“These games are important to me,” he said. “My little boy is here and it’s important to him, it’s important to my wife, it’s my livelihood. You are representing me out on that pitch.
“If your performance isn’t good enough 10 minutes in or 20 minutes in, or even if you come on as a sub, you’ll be sub-subbed. It’s as simple as that.
“I can’t stand there smiling on the side of the pitch watching people make mistake after mistake and accepting it. There are certain standards that have to be set and that’s why I make those decisions.”
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The Scottish midfielder was stretchered off in stoppage time as Wanderers beat Manchester City’s Under-21s 3-1 to put themselves in pole position to qualify for the knockout stages of the Leasing.com Trophy.
Crawford’s injury soured the celebrations after two second-half goals from Chris O’Grady put Bolton into the ascendancy, adding yet another name to a lengthy injury list.
“We’ve been struck by another lightning bolt,” Keith Hill said after the final whistle. “And I am getting fed up of the footballing gods.
“Unfortunately again it looks like we have picked up a serious injury. It’s not a question of whether he should have played the game tonight, it’s just very bad luck. It was innocuous. I think he twisted his knee and potentially it could be such a serious injury.”
It has also emerged that Josh Earl suffered another injury at Bristol Rovers last week which means he is unlikely to feature in this weekend’s home game against Fleetwood.
Hill also said his decision to haul off James Weir in the first half had not been planned.
Sonny Graham was brought on for the former Manchester United and Wigan Athletic midfielder several minutes before the break and the Bolton boss said it had been entirely based on his performance.
“These games are important to me,” he said. “My little boy is here and it’s important to him, it’s important to my wife, it’s my livelihood. You are representing me out on that pitch.
“If your performance isn’t good enough 10 minutes in or 20 minutes in, or even if you come on as a sub, you’ll be sub-subbed. It’s as simple as that.
“I can’t stand there smiling on the side of the pitch watching people make mistake after mistake and accepting it. There are certain standards that have to be set and that’s why I make those decisions.”
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