OTF

It's a tough one as there is a push for not performing surgery for ACL 'injuries'. Sometimes there are differing opinions on MRIs as to whether there is a full rupture or not, and if not whether it can recover on its own. The ACL is not in an area of the knee that gets good blood flow as it's internal compared to say the MCL which is on the outer of the knee and gets greater flow and is easier to see the condition in scans. From what I've read there were conflicting opinions with his original injury as to whether surgery was required. If it was a full rupture then surgery is definitely required as you need your ACL to play any level of sport let alone professionally. The ACL (in the middle of the knee) and the PCL (at the back) are the cruciate ligaments that form a cross to prevent the knee from being able to twist the wrong way (hence the name cruciate). After choosing the non-surgical option they must have done further MRIs that showed that the ligament was connected and presumably had increased in size/condition. Subsequent to returning he's injured it again, this time regardless of whether it's a complete rupture or not they'll have to go with surgery. Thing is there are many options for the surgery itself, each with pros and cons. Generally the best option for long term outcome is a graft using either hamstring or patella with a very slight reduction in recurrence percentage when using patella. Other options can be to use a donor (cadaver), but there is a higher chance or recurrence, though the benefit is there's no need for rehabilitation of the hamstring/patella. In my case I used my own hamstring, and subsequently suffered multiple hamstring injuries during my recovery from doing relatively mundane tasks. Hamstring seems to be mostly ok now which has helped to get the knee recovery back on track. There's also loads of different conjecture around the best angles for the graft to be attached, it's complicated stuff and having gone through some of it you can understand how his situation has played out like it did. Hindsight is always 20/20 but of course now we know they should have opted for surgery originally. He'd have missed the rest of this season as a minimum but given how he's not been himself simce returning that wouldn't have been such an issue anyway.

Looks like I'll be going to Melbourne

The loudest people are most often the most ignorant too.

They need to implement a sound effect when he activates head down full gallop mode.

Don't think so, the alternative was it was operated on and he'd have been out much longer. Only time will tell whether it was the right decision (i.e. he doesn't go on to tear it).

Played with a damaged ACL and hasn't been the same since. I feel we'll see last season's Botman next season.

Bobb is already a better player than Doku.

And of course we get a replay of a foul on them.

It's not even like they need the rub of the green on all the calls either.

It's a shit watch tbh, would rather they went for the jugular.

Apparently them playing keep ball is 'fabulous to see'.

Fluffed our lines there.

Matthew Ritchie

Gordon fouled and hurt by Rodri and time for a replay of them and of course no yellow. Here's 17 year old Miley, whose young body can't cope with this sort of intensity. Prey for him.

At least we didn't lose to Coventry after leading in added time.

Injured isn't he? It's hard work playing seven minutes of step overs, flails and dives. Oh that's right he's not injured just can't make it into the team as a £100m signing on £300,000 a week. Thanks FFP and PSR! #115

Great defense Bruno.

I hope we never get to that point.* * But I hope also that we get to the point where we could

Even at home with the referees in your pockets you can't get away with that Haaland.

And now we're had the best chance of the game. Well hit Isak, and a quality save denies us.

Now just waiting on Bruno to be yellow carded and Isak to get injured to complete the misery.

Not really sure why I'm watching this. You couldn't make that up, a Botman header sneaks between the legs of Dubravka.

As much as it pains me I'm starting to get this feeling as well. It all went amiss when we lost that game to Liverpool.

This is not on Sky, we're seeing plenty of replays, but only of their 'highlights'. For all of the ball they've had the deflected shot has been their only chance. Not pretty with two yellows across our central defense.