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Keith Hill has hinted at more injury issues striking Wanderers on the training ground – but is keeping identities under wraps, for now.
Not for the first time since his arrival in August, the Bolton boss may have to shuffle his team-sheet once again on Saturday afternoon to accommodate those who have managed to stay out of the treatment room.
“We have had one or two car crashes in training, again nothing we could have done, accidental injuries,” he told The Bolton News. “But I can’t name names”.
Asked whether he would have any extra names to consider – Hill was encouraged by what he saw of Preston loanee Josh Earl as a second-half substitute in last weekend’s FA Cup defeat against Plymouth Argyle.
“I don’t think I’ll have anyone back,” he said. “The biggest one was Josh Earl, for me. We got him through 90 minutes in the Bristol Rovers game and then as a consequence he picked up a small injury but he’s over that.
“He came on as an active substitute last week and I am really pleased about the way he played.
“Looking at the weekend, we have a senior 12 again, which is important.”
That dozen may need to up their game somewhat after a flat performance in the cup last time out.
But given the potential additional injuries incurred over the last few days, Hill is wary of piling too much pressure on his players ahead of kick-off.
“We have created expectation but you’ve got to understand it, you have to revisit,” he said. “We are having continual injury problems; we haven’t got a succession plan in place yet. At times it is game to game strategies.
“We are not in the type of routine I’d expect to be in after an eight-week pre-season.
“We have won two league games but there has still got to be a temper to expectation. I still believe there are massive improvements to be made but there’s no pressure in the situation we are in.
“The performance I am looking for is key to progress and indication I am doing things right with the players we have got available.”
Hill expressed his own disappointment at the Plymouth defeat, admitting the team had not quite hit the levels he required, particularly in the final third of the pitch.
But he believes some of the critiques of the cup defeat have over-stepped the boundaries of fairness and do not reflect how far his team has come in the last 10 weeks.
“I think it’s a timely reminder and I think that’s all it was,” he said. “I certainly hope so.
“It is a marker of the expectation and how far we have come that there was disappointment and criticism. There doesn’t seem to be that same understanding of us losing against Plymouth as there was against Gillingham away or Nottingham Forest last season.
“Don’t get involved in politics or propaganda, just be involved in the journey”.
Hill continues his search for staff to add to his backroom following the departure of goalkeeping coach Lee Butler and fitness coach Nicky Allamby to Sunderland but says no appointment is imminent.
Ben Williams has stepped up from his role with the academy keepers over the last couple of weeks, while Kristian Aldred has fulfilled some of the duties on the first team strength and conditioning front.
“There’s nothing pressing or that I can deliver as an update,” the manager said. “We’re comfortable with the position we’re in, the work we’re doing.
“We have got a lot of people at this club who can spin plates and juggle balls.
“Of course it’s important that we get the staff. Every manager and management team want to work with a group they trust, and I’m no different.”
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Not for the first time since his arrival in August, the Bolton boss may have to shuffle his team-sheet once again on Saturday afternoon to accommodate those who have managed to stay out of the treatment room.
“We have had one or two car crashes in training, again nothing we could have done, accidental injuries,” he told The Bolton News. “But I can’t name names”.
Asked whether he would have any extra names to consider – Hill was encouraged by what he saw of Preston loanee Josh Earl as a second-half substitute in last weekend’s FA Cup defeat against Plymouth Argyle.
“I don’t think I’ll have anyone back,” he said. “The biggest one was Josh Earl, for me. We got him through 90 minutes in the Bristol Rovers game and then as a consequence he picked up a small injury but he’s over that.
“He came on as an active substitute last week and I am really pleased about the way he played.
“Looking at the weekend, we have a senior 12 again, which is important.”
That dozen may need to up their game somewhat after a flat performance in the cup last time out.
But given the potential additional injuries incurred over the last few days, Hill is wary of piling too much pressure on his players ahead of kick-off.
“We have created expectation but you’ve got to understand it, you have to revisit,” he said. “We are having continual injury problems; we haven’t got a succession plan in place yet. At times it is game to game strategies.
“We are not in the type of routine I’d expect to be in after an eight-week pre-season.
“We have won two league games but there has still got to be a temper to expectation. I still believe there are massive improvements to be made but there’s no pressure in the situation we are in.
“The performance I am looking for is key to progress and indication I am doing things right with the players we have got available.”
Hill expressed his own disappointment at the Plymouth defeat, admitting the team had not quite hit the levels he required, particularly in the final third of the pitch.
But he believes some of the critiques of the cup defeat have over-stepped the boundaries of fairness and do not reflect how far his team has come in the last 10 weeks.
“I think it’s a timely reminder and I think that’s all it was,” he said. “I certainly hope so.
“It is a marker of the expectation and how far we have come that there was disappointment and criticism. There doesn’t seem to be that same understanding of us losing against Plymouth as there was against Gillingham away or Nottingham Forest last season.
“Don’t get involved in politics or propaganda, just be involved in the journey”.
Hill continues his search for staff to add to his backroom following the departure of goalkeeping coach Lee Butler and fitness coach Nicky Allamby to Sunderland but says no appointment is imminent.
Ben Williams has stepped up from his role with the academy keepers over the last couple of weeks, while Kristian Aldred has fulfilled some of the duties on the first team strength and conditioning front.
“There’s nothing pressing or that I can deliver as an update,” the manager said. “We’re comfortable with the position we’re in, the work we’re doing.
“We have got a lot of people at this club who can spin plates and juggle balls.
“Of course it’s important that we get the staff. Every manager and management team want to work with a group they trust, and I’m no different.”
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