desperado

Might have had a chance then 🤣. My upper hand is I can usually run away faster than most 🤣

I like him and I still think, this season, he can get us to the Championship. But I have to agree, I find it hard to see him having one persona with the media and a different one to the players. Therefore, I equally find it hard to look beyond his demeanour having a negative influence on his squad. This is a worrying issue for me. However, there’s a lot we don’t see/hear behind the scenes and, despite contrary opinion of his man-management, I think Evatt has a decent record of instilling togetherness, a squad bond, believing and bringing the best of players and going on good runs. Yes, it’s been a poor 2024, and there’s lots of questions that need answering. But now is not the time to turn on the manager or players. There’s too much still to play for and still to achieve.

Fucking hell I was fuming. If I’d have stopped to engage in further conversation/confrontation it might not have ended well, probably for me rather than him, he looked a crackpot. 🤣 But honestly, calling Coleman shit and a wanker within earshot is the work of a madman. Coleman had a decent game as well! Not that that should have any bearing whatsoever. These “fans” are up there if not top of the tree for negative things to moan about. As @CSW will vouch for I needed some calming down after that! 🤣

Unfortunately, that’s my way of thinking, same with Peterborough as Marple says. Too expensive when the current footballing disappointment is being served up at these away games. There’s only that Barnsley penalty that has been worth the 1000s spent this year. Must be bonkers

Hard to describe my feelings after that. Love my away days, that will never change, win lose or draw. But I’m pleased I’m not going to Bristol and I’m saving my money, because from a footballing perspective, I’m sick of this rollercoaster of having a door of opportunity open to us, but not being good enough to take advantage. I think there’s some valid reasons/ excuses that have been discussed about; squad quality, selection, mentality, injuries and Evatt (even from a fan of his, he’s not immune to criticism). The game seemed to have 0-0 written all over it from minute 1. Struggled to impose ourselves. We looked flat, maybe the Charles/Baxter “thing” has affected them and maybe Evatts pre/post match comments don’t instil confidence in the rest of the team. However, I try to keep my positive outlook realistic, so here goes; - Reading should be a good day, big crowd, occasion and win. - We’ll probably get ANOTHER window of opportunity if we beat Reading as I reckon Derby will lose to Portsmouth. - Barnsley and Peterborough losing takes a little pressure off behind. - We’re not losing lots of games - We should believe we have a great opportunity to win the play-offs - Expected (beating Reading/Shrewsbury/Port Vale) things and unexpected (Us/Derby/the rest winning/losing points in other games) will still happen, so it’s not over yet.

Come on @Cheese 👏👏

Traffic not a problem at all. Got down in just over 3 hours setting off at 8. Few beers in now. COYWM 👏

5, which could be enough. Stevenage - W Reading - W Bristol - W Portsmouth - D Shrewsbury - W Port Vale - W Peterborough - D Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that is more than likely, easy or expected. And I’m well aware that is a massive shift in form. But on our day, with the chances we create, our potential and record of scoring goals and our ability to shut out sides, it’s not daft to suggest it’s possible.

Opening up rest of South Stand I’ve heard

Maybe. As always needs context that you don’t often get. If he’s just shot the nice bloke down without any prior warning then, ok, bit harsh, maybe. If, as Iles suggests, Evatt’s given a response and said “That’s all I’ve got to say”, then nice, club media manager tries again, short-shrift seems perfectly reasonable to me, not unprofessional at all.

Does it matter who is asking the question?

Just had a quick google search to check my memory. Loads of top class managers; Ferguson (probably the most!) Klopp and Allardyce displaying very similar traits to Evatt when challenged on injury (well any!) controversies. Tetchy, blunt, angry, annoyed, interviewer given short-shrift. And God forbid arrogant, stubborn etc the characteristics that get trotted out as criticism. Why is this challenged, viewed as unprofessional and criticised so much and seen as a negative when it’s how some of the best managers in the world respond?

The essence of @gonzo ‘s post is the correct way to view the hysterics and wild guesswork on Charles and Baxter. And that’s from someone who has done a bit of it this week! But mine has been borne out of a hope that these two would be fit and I was looking at scenarios which might bring us good news, so I’m really disappointed it looks like they are not. But there’s a big difference between asking questions about their complex injury situations (never expecting I’d get a personal update from Evatt!) and being disappointed they are not fit, to; - calling Evatt out for his demeanour in his interview, when he’s understandably disappointed, who wouldn’t be! - saying he’s handled it wrong - criticising him for not being transparent (I never get this opinion of fans expecting an explanation on every detail) - and the worse one, making up and then believing crank stories about fall outs as if Evatt is the instigator, when there is absolutely no proof!!

Been asking myself the same questions. I think you’re right. If we were only getting together as a squad on Monday, then on reflection it makes sense that he was in a training environment last week with his international team mates, all part of the rehabilitation with a bit of grass work this week. Looks like he’s on his way back, but I suspect he’ll be slowly integrated if he’s recovered. Bench at best Friday, but wouldn’t be surprised now if it’s the Bristol/Portsmouth games we’re looking at.

U21s was a good do. Hospitality job with work. My last 2 live England internationals. 7-0 Macedonia. 7-0 U21 Luxembourg. Can I take some of this positive luck into Bolton’s last 7 games please 😊

Let’s hope the esteemed one has this right. It would put those Facebook and Twatter cranks in their place

🤣

Yeh. Playing For Success charity get a few too. No problem with it at all.

People do realise don’t they, that this isn’t a mid-week bland, night, home game with little riding on it? It’s a game where 83 year old grandads and young kids, in fact nearly all season ticket holders plus 6k others who have BOUGHT tickets ARE going to turn up on a 3pm Bank Holiday Monday?

I love games and occasions like this. Glad I’ll be there 👏👏

@Whitesince63 in post of the day 👏

Dion training with NI (which he wasn’t doing pre the Romania game) As I said in my earlier post this might be a straightforward explanation of his injury recovery and he’s on the bench tomorrow - perfect scenario. But that might not fit the anti-Evatt, conspiracy wanker theory that Dion and Baxter have fallen out with the Stubborn Awkward fucker. #Evatt out

Good one that pal 👍. Only run I’m interested in now, is this 7 game winning run till the end of the season! 🤣

Derby?

An absolute dearth of live sport today. After a bit of morning exercise and sun it’s crap when you weigh up what to tune into and see there’s fuck all