Injuries

[Proper Blade]

Yeah I personally don't see West Brom maintaining the right level of form to hit 80+ points. They're a good side, but they'll need to be excellent to get to that level.
As per earlier post not sure I see Watford suddenly just going on a run out of nowhere. They were only losing 4-0 to Swansea a game or so ago. Unless they go out and sign a load of players, which they might?
Middlesbrough, I can see doing it.

Boro have already gone on a mad run of form (7 wins from 9) and they're still 12 points behind us. They would have to keep up that kind of form for the next 20 games to have any chance of catching us.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

Evening all,

A better week on the injury front as we got through our Cup tie at Millwall unscathed.

I was shocked to see us put out such a strong side, but left pleasantly surprised by the performance.
Controlled it from start to finish and scored two really well worked goals.
It was one of those weeks where all of our better players had decent games.
Defence untroubled, Norwood pulling the strings, Ndiaye, Bogle & McAtee bringing the quality.

However, particularly pleasing was the emergence of Daniel Jebbison, who built on his impressive cameo at QPR earlier in the week.
Suddenly, he looks a genuine option at CF and I really hope we start him on Saturday.
He doesn't look lost, or gangly anymore. He's a physical presence.

Good to see Coulibaly finally make his way off the injury list too, he only did a couple of minutes at Millwall but managed an hour in the reserves during the week.

Onto the weekend...

PH advised that Lowe & Osborn are back in training, so I expect we might see them in the squad.
A welcome boost given he suggested our other left-footers, Clark & Fleck, aren't close. Suspect they'll still be at least a few weeks off.

McBurnie is 'back on the grass,' but not in full training.
He again trotted out the now familiar line about how he could potentially use McBurnie but wants him to be 100%. I'm not sure I'm buying that one.

Anyway, revised guesses below:

M Lowe - 14th January - side strain (3 weeks)

B Osborn - 14th January - (4 weeks) - hamstring strain

O Arblaster - 14th January (3 weeks) - illness

O McBurnie - early-February 2023 (4-6 weeks) - aggravated ankle ligaments

C Clark - mid-February 2023 (6 weeks) - hamstring strain

J Fleck - mid-February 2023 - swelling around previously broken leg (3 months)

R Brewster - March 2023 (5 months) - hamstring surgery

R Norrington-Davies - March 2023 (5 months) - hamstring surgery

J O'Connell - unlikely to return (2.5 years+) - knee

My team for Saturday

.........................Foderingham
..............Anel..........Egan.......Robinson
...Bogle..............................................Lowe
............Berge......Norwood.....McAtee
..............................Ndiaye
............................Jebbison

Subs: Davies, Baldock, Basham, Stevens, Osborn, Doyle, Sharp.

We're lacking game changing options a little bit at the top of the field with McBurnie & Osula out and Khadra gone.

UTB.

 

[Bell4]

Evening all,

A better week on the injury front as we got through our Cup tie at Millwall unscathed.

I was shocked to see us put out such a strong side, but left pleasantly surprised by the performance.
Controlled it from start to finish and scored two really well worked goals.
It was one of those weeks where all of our better players had decent games.
Defence untroubled, Norwood pulling the strings, Ndiaye, Bogle & McAtee bringing the quality.

However, particularly pleasing was the emergence of Daniel Jebbison, who built on his impressive cameo at QPR earlier in the week.
Suddenly, he looks a genuine option at CF and I really hope we start him on Saturday.
He doesn't look lost, or gangly anymore. He's a physical presence.

Good to see Coulibaly finally make his way off the injury list too, he only did a couple of minutes at Millwall but managed an hour in the reserves during the week.

Onto the weekend...

PH advised that Lowe & Osborn are back in training, so I expect we might see them in the squad.
A welcome boost given he suggested our other left-footers, Clark & Fleck, aren't close. Suspect they'll still be at least a few weeks off.

McBurnie is 'back on the grass,' but not in full training.
He again trotted out the now familiar line about how he could potentially use McBurnie but wants him to be 100%. I'm not sure I'm buying that one.

Anyway, revised guesses below:

M Lowe - 14th January - side strain (3 weeks)

B Osborn - 14th January - (4 weeks) - hamstring strain

O Arblaster - 14th January (3 weeks) - illness

O McBurnie - early-February 2023 (4-6 weeks) - aggravated ankle ligaments

C Clark - mid-February 2023 (6 weeks) - hamstring strain

J Fleck - mid-February 2023 - swelling around previously broken leg (3 months)

R Brewster - March 2023 (5 months) - hamstring surgery

R Norrington-Davies - March 2023 (5 months) - hamstring surgery

J O'Connell - unlikely to return (2.5 years+) - knee

My team for Saturday

.........................Foderingham
..............Anel..........Egan.......Robinson
...Bogle..............................................Lowe
............Berge......Norwood.....McAtee
..............................Ndiaye
............................Jebbison

Subs: Davies, Baldock, Basham, Stevens, Osborn, Doyle, Sharp.

We're lacking game changing options a little bit at the top of the field with McBurnie & Osula out and Khadra gone.

UTB.

Good post

Very limited and exposed up top

We deffo need to bring someone in up front to help us

Jebbo did well v Millwall but wouldn’t put the burden on him - too high expectation / too risky consequences of getting it wrong

 

[Bell4]

Boro have already gone on a mad run of form (7 wins from 9) and they're still 12 points behind us. They would have to keep up that kind of form for the next 20 games to have any chance of catching us.

I’ll sleep tonight now

Seriously

 

[Charlieblade]

PH made it clear several times that he wants two players for every position.

He is now in the fortunate position of having acceptable deputies for most key positions. Basham gives Ahmedhodzic a rest, and JLT gets a start until Clark is fully fit.
Jebbinson coming good at just the right time.

Sometimes we worry too much when our starting line up is not quite 100%. Gives PH the chance to confuse opposition managers, and ring the (surprise) changes?

 

[Bladesman]

 

[Lightsoot]

Seriki not in the squad for Rochdale today..

 

[Ndiayewillalwaysloveyou]

What a fucking joke.

 

[Bladesman]

What a fucking joke.

It is a bit and it can't all be training pitch nonsense.

 

[Champagneblade]

So despite the World Cup giving us a rest we’re now nursing:

Baldock
Stevens
Norrington-Davies
O’Connell
Clarke
Fleck
Arblaster
Brewster
McBurnie
Ndiaye (probably)

It just never ends does it?

What the hell has been going on with the training pitch too? It was completed. We saw them on it. Did someone forget to put 50p in the under soil heating?

 

[robbiez666]

Ndiaye, Clark, Furious, Stevens and who needs a sniper when you can't even afford a proper training pitch.

 

[Bladesman]

So despite the World Cup giving us a rest we’re now nursing:

Baldock
Stevens
Norrington-Davies
O’Connell
Clarke
Fleck
Arblaster
Brewster
McBurnie
Ndiaye (probably)

It just never ends does it?

What the hell has been going on with the training pitch too? It was completed. We saw them on it. Did someone forget to put 50p in the under soil heating?

Arblaster was an illness according to Hecky the other day.

I assume he will be back if we need him in the next few games.

 

[robbiez666]

So despite the World Cup giving us a rest we’re now nursing:

Baldock
Stevens
Norrington-Davies
O’Connell
Clarke
Fleck
Arblaster
Brewster
McBurnie
Ndiaye (probably)

It just never ends does it?

What the hell has been going on with the training pitch too? It was completed. We saw them on it. Did someone forget to put 50p in the under soil heating?

It's getting ridiculous again. Someone needs a fucking rocket about the training pitch. Not paying things on time is ridiculous.

so, for Hull, we're likely

-----------------------Wes
------Bogle----Anel---Egan--Robbo---Lowe
------------Berge-----Norwood-----Doyle
--------------McAtee---------Sharp

Subs:

Davies, Sachdev/Seriki, Bash, Osborn, Coulibaly, Brooks, Jebbo

We have a good first XI but less and less off the bench.

 

[robbiez666]

Arblaster was an illness according to Hecky the other day.

I assume he will be back if we need him in the next few games.

I wouldn't bet on that given the rumours are that it was pneumonia. He's back with the group, but I don't think he's fully training yet.

 

[Champagneblade]

.

 

[Sneinton Blade 1952]

Hopefully, the fact Illiman wanted to stay on the pitch suggests that his injury isn't too serious - doesn't it?

 

[Rufus Smalls]

A player “being assessed” at the Lane usually means out for 4 weeks.

 

[Booker4]

Of those injured most are not first choice if others are fit although there's a few first team regulars there also. For example Stevens is backup to Lowe. Baldock has played almost every game and I don't want to be harsh on him but I'm so pleased that Bogle will now get the chance to cement that place as he should be playing every week if fit and there seems little chance that Hecky would drop Baldock for Bogle on a week in week out basis but Bogle is a much better player. Hope Baldock is back asap don't get me wrong but delighted to see Bogle in the first team and I reckon he'll keep that place from now onwards.

Desperately want McBurnie fit again but that seems to evading us right now sadly! Noticed Khadra scored for Birmingham today, typical! If we ever can get Clarke, Lowe and RND fit then Hecky wll have a tough choice to chose from there. Personally I'd go RND and Lowe because they're the best going forwards and goals win games and both are decent defensively too.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

Of those injured most are not first choice if others are fit. For example Stevens is backup to Lowe. Baldock has played almost every game and I don't want to be harsh on him but I'm so pleased that Bogle will now get the chance to cement that place as he should be playing every week if fit and there seems little chance that Hecky would drop Baldock for Bogle on a week in week out basis but Bogle is a much better player. Hope Baldock is back asap don't get me wrong but delighted to see Bogle in the first team and I reckon he'll keep that place from now onwards.

Desperately want McBurnie fit again but that seems to evading us right now sadly! Noticed Khadra scored for Birmingham today, typical!

Maybe, but our bench is now decimated.
If we lose another defender, we're scrambling.
We're picking up injuries regularly, so it's likely to happen.

 

[CPB]

I'm not bashing the prince here but you have to ask why this training pitch has took so long and still hasn't been given full green light..
Back when this vid introducing the new pitch was put out they weren't allowed to put on undersoil thus this time of year means it's barely usable at times.
Sounds like it's more than that too.

There are some things prince is good for.... but he ain't best owner we've ever had, people need to take a step back and think about his entire tenure.

 

[Nightsweats]

I'm not bashing the prince here but you have to ask why this training pitch has took so long and still hasn't been given full green light..
Back when this vid introducing the new pitch was put out they weren't allowed to put on undersoil thus this time of year means it's barely usable at times.
Sounds like it's more than that too.

There are some things prince is good for.... but he ain't best owner we've ever had, people need to take a step back and think about his entire tenure.

Just did. Far and away the best we've had in living memory. Far and away..

 

[Bladesman]

 

[JohnDenver]

Hecky needs to be more Conte.

 

[Bladesman]

 

[Digs blade]

Weeks with Enda and George WTF has even gone off there?

We finally get 2 wingbacks back and the other 2 straight away get injured.

 

[Stretch]

Weeks with Enda and George WTF has even gone off there?

We finally get 2 wingbacks back and the other 2 straight away get injured.

Just the way it's been going with us.

Bash and Ozzy as back up for those positions now.

 

[Keen Blade]

Weeks with Enda and George WTF has even gone off there?

We finally get 2 wingbacks back and the other 2 straight away get injured.

Just says muscle injury

 

[Bladesman]

Just says muscle injury

It will be hammys and out for 6 weeks at a guess.

Usually when Hecky says weeks it means a month or two.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

Afternoon all,

Mixed bag of news on the injury front.

In short, we unexpectedly lost Baldock & Stevens to midweek 'muscle injuries' in training, prior to the win over Stoke.
During the win, Ndiaye picked up a knock to his knee - though this isn't thought to be serious and he reportedly trained today.

In more positive news, Max Lowe returned from a side strain & Ben Osborn from a hamstring injury.
Bogle completed 90 minutes and didn't seem to gas out. In fact, he was probably our MOTM.

From the pre-Hull match press conference, Heckingbottom revealed the following:

Full training: Oli McBurnie
Back 'on the grass:' Ciaran Clark, John Fleck
Out for weeks: George Baldock, Enda Stevens


Revised guesses below:

O McBurnie - early-February 2023 (4-6 weeks) - aggravated ankle ligaments

C Clark - mid-February 2023 (4 weeks) - hamstring strain

J Fleck - mid-February 2023 - swelling around previously broken leg (3 months)

G Baldock - late-February 2023 - unknown muscular injury (5 weeks)

E Stevens - late-February 2023 - unknown muscular injury (5 weeks)

R Brewster - March 2023 (5 months) - hamstring surgery

R Norrington-Davies - March 2023 (5 months) - hamstring surgery

J O'Connell - unlikely to return (2.5 years+) - knee

My team for Saturday

.........................Foderingham
..............Anel..........Egan.......Robinson
...Bogle..............................................Lowe
............Berge......Norwood.....McAtee
..............................Ndiaye
............................Jebbison

Subs: Davies, Basham, Coulibaly, Osborn, Brooks, Doyle, Sharp.

Personally, with the next league fixture over a fortnight away, I wouldn't be for risking McBurnie. We've come this far, so we might as well be patient and get him back to 100%. Particularly with Jebbison's form.
If there are any doubts over Ndiaye (PH suggested not), we should probably rest him. If that is the case, I would bring Doyle into midfield and push McAtee further up the pitch. We need to give Sharp a break, he's playing too much and is struggling to make an impact.
It's difficult to justify the selection of Berge right now, but Hull like to play it out from the back and he's usually (though not recently) quite effective in pressing high up the field. Regardless, we need to get him on the ball in more advanced areas. If he's doing his invisible man impersonation, we need to hook him much earlier.

The bench looks thin defensively and up front.
Fingers crossed for an injury-free game, though concerns remain over training - whether its the facilities or the methods, something needs to improve quickly.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Hecky inferred that if we were desperate, then McBurnie could play against Hull but he would prefer not to rush him back.

Wouldn't surprise me if McBurnie makes the bench against Hull and might see the last 5 or 10 minutes, dependent how the match is going.