League One’s promotion and relegation battles are heating up, with controversy, confidence and crisis shaping the narrative ahead of a huge weekend.
Bolton Wanderers: Schumacher Defends Kenny After Reading Flashpoint
Bolton boss Steven Schumacher has dismissed claims that Johnny Kenny was fortunate to avoid a red card during Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Reading.
The on-loan striker, borrowed from Celtic, was heavily criticised by Royals boss Leam Richardson after an incident that left defender Paudie O’Connor with a facial injury and a dislodged tooth. Richardson described the decision not to send Kenny off as “mind-blowing”, labelling the challenge “terrible”, “disgusting” and “a stamp”.
Schumacher, however, was unmoved.
“Yeah, Lynsey Hooper at Sky asked me about it right after the game and she said: ‘Do you think you were lucky to still have 11 men on the pitch?’ And I said, no, I don’t think so.
“To me, it looked like it was an accident. And I’ve spoken to Johnny (Kenny) since. You can see obviously he’s running at real speed.
“[Paudie] O’Connor’s got in front of him and fallen down. And I just don’t think it’s in Johnny’s character to do that intentionally.
“For us, it was an accident, nothing more. Unfortunately, in football these things happen.”
Reading have reportedly raised concerns with the PGMOL, but no further action has been taken. With Mason Burstow’s stoppage-time equaliser rescuing a point for Wanderers, the focus in Bolton is firmly on moving forward rather than revisiting the fallout.
Absolute disgrace, I’ve watched this back a dozen or more times and there’s absolutely no doubt that Kenny could have avoided kicking Paudie O”Connor in the face. Red card every day of the week.