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The Midweek Player Focus #37: Andrew Davies

24 Apr

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Our Midweek Player Focus series comes to a close for the 2012/13 season with Alex Scott writing about the only senior player we have yet to cover, Andrew Davies.

Stepping onto the pitch, looking around at the cavernous surroundings, it was the biggest crowd he had ever stepped in front of. March 15, 2006. Almost thirty five thousand people had ventured out in to the Roman evening to witness what would become the greatest night in his hometown club’s history. And he was right in the midst of it.

It wasn’t an alarming step up for the tall defender, just turned 21, he’d already appeared in every minute of the two legged defeat of Stuttgart, as well as the 1-0 home victory over the opponents, AS Roma, the week previous. This was what it was all about, days like this. He didn’t get to play in the League Cup Final win the season before; he wouldn’t get to play in the Final ahead either. But still, this was a moment very few men witness.

It was incredible they were here; it was even more incredible he was here. The Stadio Olimpico primed for an upset. The men with destiny on their side ready to dream. Anything was possible.

Just short of seven years later, he got to step out at Wembley, and play in the Final he missed out on first time round. It was the biggest crowd he’d ever stepped in front of. This time however, he could only be focussed on what might have been. Injuries earlier in the year prevented him starting the game. His introduction immediately coincided with the game-killing third goal and he was left to endure another tortuous 45 minutes, the likes of which he missed against Sevilla years ago. The optimism which characterised the early part of his career had long evaporated. The intonation had changed. Anything was possible.

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Almost by accident, as time slipped by unnoticed, Andrew Davies stumbled into a sub-culture of itinerant footballers. He made his Premiership debut over a decade ago, just eighteen. A life filled by short term spells, plugging gaps, waiting for normality to begin. He’s been on loan nine separate times, playing for eleven clubs in total.

I have no idea whether nine loan moves in a career is a record. (What the hell, Google?) Anyway regardless of the potential notoriety, nine is a lot. When he made his debut at Valley Parade, Bradford City became the fourth different team he’d played for in twelve months, none of which were his ‘actual’ team. He didn’t belong anywhere; he was a man without a home.

He grew up living the dream of many men. He made his debut in the Premiership a few weeks after his eighteenth birthday, over a decade ago now. He was playing for his hometown team, during their greatest ever era. He was involved with England at youth levels. He and his peers were cited as an emblem of the future of English football.

Davies was involved in and around the first team squad from the beginning, but didn’t get a proper run in the team until his twenty first birthday, after a successful loan spell at QPR. Injuries to the right backs in front of him led to a recall, and he grasped his opportunity with both hands. He was involved in every squad in the knockout phase of that UEFA Cup run with Middlesbrough, except the final, where the Teessiders’ luck finally ran out as they were dismantled by Sevilla.

That Middlesbrough season, albeit tinged with anti-climax, and tainted by the future exploits of the manager, was probably the greatest season they’ve ever had. Especially when contextualised by what has followed.

The irony of that era was that in spite of all the success they witnessed, that was never who they really were. It was always unsustainable. That was who they were for a moment, but it wasn’t who they would be in the future. The Steve McClaren legacy at Middlesbrough is easy to overlook, given what followed for both parties. He will always be remembered for bringing the only trophy in the club’s history to pass, as well as that miracle UEFA Cup run. But you can look at that time now, and none of that was ever about legacy. It was about the then-present. McClaren’t true legacy moment came at the end of that season.

On May 7th, 2006, in a final game defeat to Fulham, he fielded a squad of sixteen, all but one of which born on Teesside (Peterborough-born Malcolm Christie ruined it). It was the first all-English XI in the Premiership since Bradford City managed it, against Middlesbrough, in 1999. The final goodbye for Steve McClaren destined for greater things, showing the Middlesbrough fans their future, defining his legacy as he wanted it. At 21, Davies was an elder statesman of the team, which also included James Morrison, Adam Johnson, Lee Cattermole, Andrew Taylor and Danny Graham.

The next season saw Gareth Southgate initially commit to the youth movement, with Davies a starter at right back, making 23 starts in the league as Middlesbrough improved to 12th position. Summer saw the youth movement and the Class of 2006 side-lined, with a murderers’ row of mediocre journeymen recruited on big money in their place. (Aliadiere! Tuncay! Afonso Alves! (!!!!!), Mido!) The writing was on the wall for Davies when Luke Young was brought in from Charlton, and it wasn’t long before he was initially loaned, then sold to Championship Southampton for over £1m, where he won their Player of the Year award in only six months.

It wasn’t long before he re-entered the top echelon with a second multi-million pound move in a year, this time to Stoke City.

With the explosion in top division squad sizes across the mid-2000s, where largesse and hoarding became the norm, players like Andrew Davies became the must-have accessory of the new crowd. Young, English, and full of promise, he was an easy prospect to fall in love with, and a tough one to give up on. But, as is the way with largesse, demand kept growing. His tantalising potential left him stranded. Stored away for the rainy days in a land where the sun never set.

It wasn’t all bad, players like he got reimbursed handsomely for the pain. It was a false economy, but an economy nonetheless. Tony Pulis’ extravagance in mundanity allied to a couple of poorly timed injuries left Davies with nowhere to go, nowhere to grow.

Nowhere but down. His initial wages priced out every team who would be interested in giving him a home. Anyone who could afford him didn’t have a need for him.

So he did the only thing he could, with his belongings in a bag over his shoulder: he travelled. Faceless strangers and new colours. Rented accommodation and hotel rooms. Filling in gaps, playing out the string, waiting for a chance the world knew would never come.

Davies, and all those like him were left to evolve into something akin to third culture children. Not where they belong. Not where they are. Living a life in between, a culture created by themselves in an attempt to relate to their world.

He only played twice for Stoke in four years. At the end of last season when his contract expired, he was 27 years old. He personified the fungible nature of footballers. Faceless strangers. The next cab off the rank.

Davies’ entire career has felt like it has been stuck in between stations. As his Middlesbrough career took off, he was viewed through the prism of where he may end up, who he may be. People didn’t want him, they wanted him. The subsequent five years were steps on a path toward a mirage. Now where was he? What just happened?

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Andrew Davies has played more games for Bradford City than he has for any other team. This season will mark the highest number of league games he’s appeared in during a single season for one club, topping his previous best, reached last year. He’s scored twice as many goals in the claret and amber than the rest of his career combined. It’s weird. Last season his existence in the squad was characterised by the novelty of the whole thing, but in context of his career, this may end up being his defining spell, especially if he hangs around. It speaks to his nomadic route thus far that a season loan followed by a one-year deal is the closest he’s ever come to permanence.

During the 2011/12 season Andrew Davies was just about the best player in the League Two. A Premier League loanee, this wasn’t a surprise. His defined departure gave context to his spell; the incredulity of his existence at the club became the primary descriptor. Even in a land of compatriots he was a foreigner, not long for these parts. He was too good, irreproachable.

Then he signed on for another year. Not on loan, for real this time. He lost his elite, nomadic status, and for the first time became a League Two player. This distinction in terms has ended up fuelling a lot of the debate around him this year. His halo has slipped; he has become, for the first time in his career, a man amongst men.

He has fit in this current squad as well as any he’s ever set foot in since leaving that burgeoning Class of 2006 on Teesside. His story of unfulfilled promise is by no means unique in the squad, many of which can empathise with his common nightmares. Rather than an ‘island of misfit toys’ (these toys fit fine), they have all fallen through the cracks somehow, without a comfortable reason why. This is one of the many reasons why this year’s escapades have been so heart-warming. They all finally had a chance to re-live something, a do-over of sorts. Proving to themselves they belonged. Together.

Davies’ play hasn’t really changed that much since his arrival at the club. The team surrounding him has, reducing him from the far-and-away best player to one of the best players. A man amongst men. The narrative encircling him has fallen the same. People seem to be picking up on the individual mistakes more, critiquing his concentration, and even discussing his worth. It’s not like he didn’t make mistakes last year, I needn’t point you further than the ‘Quarrel at the Coral’ (Copyright, 2012) to exemplify that. But our expectations changed. He became one of us. One of them. He became fallible where before he was closer to an angel. He actually belonged, and in terms of his perception, it may have not been such a good thing.

Despite him still being amongst the highest echelon of players at the club (A judgement call on the specifics obviously, but I’d still have him #1, a tier above the Wellses, Joneses and Darbys), questions over the merit of his renewal and extension at the club abound.

Questions which, despite their counter-intuitive nature, are valid. The club is stuck in a quandary of indecision. Should they or shouldn’t they bring him back? A different dilemma than the one I’ve alluded to so far: whether we want him?

With a limited budget inevitably follows the spectre of the opportunity cost. What else could they spend that money on? Andrew Davies is good enough to be an indispensable asset at this level, but in this scenario, his silent dispensability has become the conversation.

Rory McArdle has proven himself a good-to-maybe-a-bit-better-than-good central defender, especially with the ever-changing situations circumstance left him in. Carl McHugh is coming on leaps and bounds, and lest we forget that Luke Oliver is still under contract for next year, as he recovers from his torn Achilles tendon. One could argue, with a situation like this, in a team that plays two deep midfielders, and two excellent full backs, whether they need to spend as much as it would take to keep him around, on another central defender.

Regardless of how good Andrew Davies is, he isn’t that much better than the alternatives, and the money spent on him could absolutely be spent more effectively elsewhere, especially when (ruthlessly) factoring in Davies’ injury history.

But this isn’t even the situation Davies finds himself in. Phil Parkinson has already replaced him. Much was made (by me) of Parkinson’s “advanced scouting” last year, utilising last season’s loan market to test out potential signings for this campaign (h/t Will Atkinson), and the signing of Michael Nelson followed in a similarly intelligent manner. He wasn’t signed to play this year, rather a portion of this year’s budget was earmarked to bring him in, let him acclimatise to the squad, before being elevated to the starting line-up next season, once Davies departs up the leagues.

Last week at Chesterfield, we got a vision of our future. Davies’ back acted up in the warm-up, and as is the way with back injuries, realised itself with a knock-on injury elsewhere, in this case, the calf. Nelson was elevated on short notice to play alongside Rory McArdle, and for the most part, did well. A few times he got a bit tight, he positioning was slightly awry, but factoring in the conditions (strong wind down the pitch), and the circumstances, he acquitted himself just fine. McArdle actually seemed to improve.

(This isn’t the forum, but the conversation that McArdle’s form has improved whenever he has been forced to assume the role of ‘senior’ partner, would be an interesting one. I know Nelson is technically older, but you know what I mean.)

The team played well at Chesterfield, they should have won. They defended very well for the most part, especially during the opening period, where the Spireites pressed on with the wind at their backs. But there was something missing. They weren’t as dominant as in recent weeks; the assurances were less solid in my mind. And let me clarify here, the thing missing was in me, not necessarily the team.

When Davies plays, I feel a level of comfort with the defence which no other combination compares with. Gentlemen prefer blondes of course, and I’m not saying this feeling isn’t completely psychosomatic due to my prior knowledge of how good he is, and how much he unwittingly stands out.

Regardless, I don’t feel as comfortable when he’s not there. A sensation from which I can elicit the conclusion that “I think he is good”. And speaking from my anxiety level’s point-of-view, I’d prefer it if he hung around for a while.

Another more general, less navel-gazing analysis would be that he is one of our best players, if you want to be a good team, letting your best players walk out of the door for nothing isn’t really a business you want to be in. If the club could afford to keep him, (and they should be able to) and he is amiable to making his career here, making his life here, they should do everything they practicably can to keep him around.

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Now, before I delve into my Excel workbook, there are numerous caveats surrounding any statistical analysis of Andrew Davies. Primarily, eliciting defensive efficiency is a wildly inexact science: the oppositions vary in attacking ability and intent, it is a team game so determining individual causality is nigh on impossible, conditions, set pieces and referees play too large a role etc… I could go on, especially as the period Davies was injured this year coincided with an eighteen year old loan player at left back, and blurred priorities. So take all of the below with a lorryload of salt.

The team concede fewer goals with Davies in it than without. Extrapolating the samples out over a 46-game season, City would concede 49 goals with him, and 60 without. As points on the board go, they would be an 81 point team with him (promotion), and a 52 point team without (relegation).

Now again, the sample sizes are too small and there is far too much noise to conclude anything definitively, but it remains interesting. When we argue that “the team didn’t really miss him” when he was injured, are we so sure about that? Our eyes told us McArdle and McHugh acquitted themselves OK, but our eyes were also viewing the game through a lens of lowered expectations.

Perhaps the anxiety I feel without Andrew Davies in the backline isn’t so psychosomatic?

Even if the impact is half as strong as I’ve illustrated, that’s still a 15-point player. Even if it’s only 10% as strong, the team are a better side with him in than without. Maybe the other player(s) we could spend his resources on would make the team better overall to counteract the loss of Davies, but maybe they won’t. Davies is a known commodity. We know he is better than anyone else we have, so shouldn’t we do everything to keep him? Is letting our most talented players walk out of the door for free a business we want to be in?

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As the season ramps up to its definitive conclusion this weekend, there is an undercurrent of uncertainty abound. This season will always be timeless for the players, and that could become accentuated in the following days and weeks, but they are still professionals making a living, making a life. Players like Andrew Davies are sliding toward limbo, toward their in between days. Neither here nor there. Not anywhere.

Davies, a few months past his 28th birthday, has a big, ultimately career-defining decision to make. It may have already been made for him. At this point, central defenders are supposed to be entering their peak. Sign a multi-year deal at Valley Parade and his lot is cast, and whilst he could finally become more than a passing ship in the night, he would be selling himself short in almost every other way. He’s divisions below where his talents dictate he should be. Sign a one-year extension at Valley Parade, and his stasis is only perpetuated. Move on, and who know what lies in waiting.

May 7th, 2013 comes a few days after the League Two Playoff Final Second Legs, and a few weeks before his hourglass runs out. Whereas six years ago he had his whole career ahead to find himself, time is no longer on his side. The question over which we are left to argue, and he to agonise, looms large: will he finally put an end to his tortuous peripatetic football life and finally be, or will he follow his ambition, and take one more unnerving step into the unknown?

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The Midweek Player Focus #36: Ricky Ravenhill

18 Apr

 2013-03-02 14.54.47

By Gareth Walker

When Ricky Ravenhill signed for Bradford City he was seen as a key figure in what Phil Parkinson was trying to build at the club. This was evident after his semi-successful loan spell was turned into a two and a half year contract. The length of the contract itself was somewhat of a surprise given the age of the player – he was 31 at the time – and the fact that City are a fourth tier outfit.

The club felt the need to make a statement. Ravenhill arrived from the relatively cash-rich Notts County in the division above, and it was said that the difference in what City could offer in wages compared to what the player had been earning at The Magpies was being evened out by offering him a longer deal in order to give him more financial security. So, what did Parkinson see in Ricky that made him value his signature so highly?

Well first of all, he saw a similar type of player to what he himself was in his playing days – a tough tackling, no nonsense midfielder, and also a leader. Something which was something the Bantams were clearly in need of at the time.

Parkinson had taken over a squad from Peter Jackson which had been described as the worst squad in the league. It was a squad he was desperately trying to put his own stamp on in a short space of time, as we were facing up to a second consecutive relegation battle. He needed someone who could galvanise the rest of the squad and lead them in his own image.

Our current management team have a habit of signing players who have played for them before, or who they at least know a lot about. It may be argued that this is not a bad method, particularly if they are signing someone who has a proven track record of success. Kyel Reid was well known to Parkinson from their days at Charlton, and this season we have seen the arrival of Gary Jones – who Steve Parkin knew particularly well from their days at Rochdale.

Although not evident on first glance, Ravenhill also fits this pattern. It was infact Parkin who knew the player when they were at Barnsley together. And although he released him from his first professional club, Ricky had since gone on to establish a real name for himself as a lower league performer – first at Doncaster, then Darlington and finally Notts County.

I can recall one particular occasion last season when Ravenhill’s attitude, passion and application were in full view. The game against Morecambe at Valley Parade, when he scored his first goal for the club, was memorable not just because of the fact that the goal was an absolute screamer, but also because it showed what an excellent team player he was.

Games against The Shrimps are always bruising encounters, but this one was particularly so as City first lost Luke Oliver to injury and were then forced into taking right back Rob Kozluk off with just 13 minutes remaining. With no recognised defender on the bench, it was Ravenhill who, despite clearly carrying a knock himself, stepped forward and showed a willingness to drop into the back four.

We might have gone on to conceded two late goals and only draw that game, but the attitude displayed by Ricky epitomised what Parkinson believed was a vital ingredient required for any successful side.

Ravenhill displays something that all football fans should admire. Although not blessed with the greatest amount of skill in the world. He shows a level of desire and aptitude that have allowed him to make it as a professional and mix it as one of the best in League Two. This has been particularly noticeable since his return to the side in early March.

Having been appointed captain at the start of the campaign; an ankle injury then ruled him out of the first few games. When returned to full fitness, he found himself firmly in the shadow of the impressive midfield pairing of Gary Jones – who was standing in as captain – and Nathan Doyle, who himself was showing what a class act he is at this level. It seemed that Ravenhill was left in a tough battle with former fans’ favourite Ritchie Jones for the position of first reserve central midfielder.

It would have been easy for Ricky to go into his shell, to sulk and to be knocking on the manager’s door requesting answers – or even demanding a transfer. But that didn’t happen, and Parkinson often spoke about how professionally Ravenhill was handling himself around the club. He bided his time and waited patiently.

These chances were few and far between for long periods this season, usually arising in cup competitions such as the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy or in the FA Cup. He wasn’t getting a run in the side and was only being used when one of the first choice pairing of Gary Jones or Doyle needed a rest.

This stop start nature seemed to show in his performances as he was attracting more criticism rather than praise from the Bradford faithful. The away game against Crewe Alexandra in the JPT was a good example of this when his partnership with fellow reserve Ritchie Jones looked particularly lacklustre. However, when examined more closely, the two players’ performances were poor for different reasons.

Ritchie looked disinterested and lazy in that game. He had the look of a player who had given up on his City career, and it came as little surprise to many of us when he left the club by mutual consent a few days later. Ravenhill, however, was struggling not because he had lost interest or because he didn’t care, but because he was simply short of match fitness and was badly in need of playing time.

The characteristics of his game were still there. He was wanting to be involved in everything. So much so that he was even taking free kicks and corners. It led my friends and I jokingly quipping – “Who does he think he is? Xavi?” It is probably this all action type of show that endears players of Ravenhill’s ilk to us in the good times, but can also highlight their rustiness to us during their poorer displays.

And, Ricky has proven that rustiness is all that it was. Immediately following our Wembley Cup Final, when Parkinson was making a concerted effort to rest players for the run in, Ravenhill has grabbed his opportunity and made it impossible to drop him. It was the game against York at the beginning of March when he was first given his chance back in our regular League Two side – in place of a clearly tired Doyle – and the situation of a Yorkshire derby on a poor pitch was one that he excelled and revelled in. He hasn’t looked back since.

Maybe it is that he feels that he has a point to prove. Maybe it is that he is taking out his disappointment of being an unused substitute at Wembley. Or maybe it is that he is finally getting a run of games. Whatever, the reason, it can now be said that we are finally seeing the best of Ravenhill in a City shirt.

His partnership with Gary Jones recently has seen us playing some of our best football of the season. The two of them seem to complement each other particularly well, and the balance of the team as a whole looks right.

Both Ravenhill and Jones have that never say die attitude that us supporters love to see, but Ravenhill’s willingness to do the dirty work and sit in front of the back four, breaking up the play, has allowed Jones to exert himself on games even more so than he was previously.

I for one have been delighted to see Ricky playing so well in the team. His effect on results since Wembley can not go unnoticed. Plus everyone likes to see a workmanlike player doing well. When he scored his goal against Chesterfield last weekend and celebrated enthusiastically with those of us behind the goal, it really felt like he was one of us.

Rather than being displaced as captain by Gary Jones, The Bradford Xavi has forced his way back into the fold in typical fashion. And we now have two captains leading the team from the middle of the park. That can only be a good thing as this exciting campaign reaches a nervous and griping conclusion.

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The Midweek Player Focus #35: Nahki Wells

4 Apr

2012-12-11 22.27.29

By Jason McKeown

A superb pass sent him away down the right flank. Just inside the penalty area, he cut inside – taking the number three completely out of the game – and weighed up the options. A cross towards one of the three team mates looked the more selfless option, but instead he surprised everyone with a powerful shot at goal from a difficult angle, one which forced the keeper into an impressive save.

Nahki Wells had nearly won Bradford City the game against Southend on Good Friday. Having only being introduced from the bench in the 81st minute, the young striker’s superb cross that set up James Hanson’s equaliser was nearly added to with a late goal. So nearly the hero. A summation of where Wells’ City career stands.

This was supposed to be Nahki Wells’ year. The Boy from Bermuda, who announced his arrival with that Rocket against Rochdale in November 2011. For a club struggling to retain its place in the Football League, the emergence of Wells provided inspiration that was sorely lacking. Gradually Wells was given more and more game time by Phil Parkinson, and the 12 goals he netted in 2011/12 were pivotal in the Bantams’ escape from the drop.

This was supposed to be Nahki Wells’ year. A close season of transfer speculation and concern about agreeing a new deal confirmed the Bermudian’s rise and rise. It took a while to formalise a new contract with the player, one that would keep Wells beyond the end of this season. But when all was settled, he continued to impress. By Christmas Day, Nahki had netted 15 goals from 19 starts and nine sub appearances. City were a top five side, in the semi finals of the League Cup for the first time in its history. People were sitting up and noticing the club. People were noticing Wells.

It is from this point that things began to stall for the 23-year-old, who originally joined the Bantams through the RIASA scheme and spent time in the Development Squad. Just three goals since Christmas (the last one of those on 2 February, over two months ago) and no longer a guaranteed starter. Some say that the attention went to his head. Others argue he stopped doing the things that had made him successful. His manager puts it down to a dip in confidence.

There’s probably an element of truth to all three, but back in January there must have been so much going through his head. Those transfer rumours that emerged last summer did not go away, and it is said that a number of Championship clubs were keeping close tabs on Wells during the first half of the season. The club confirmed there had been one concrete enquiry from the MK Dons. Whispers that reached Width of a Post’s ear suggested Leicester were seriously considering a January bid, perhaps loaning Nahki straight back to us for the rest of the season. In the end they opted for Chris Wood – an altogether different type of striker – and City claim not to have received any firm bids.

Which may not have been such an issue for Wells as it might have two months earlier. One of the chief reasons for his reputation going national was now one of the biggest reasons for wanting to stay – the cup run. Nahki had been a star throughout the journey to Wembley, not least his two-goal burst against Burton Albion in round four that saw City come back from 2-0 to win 3-2. At Wigan in round five, Wells looked outstanding on the Premier League stage. Every inch a player on the way to bigger and better things than League Two.

And against Arsenal, with the world watching on TV, another terrific Wells display. Alongside Hanson, he gave an experienced, world class Gunners’ back four a torrid evening. Playing a key role in the opening goal (he won the free kick that Gary Jones swung over for Garry Thompson to score) and causing panic with his pace and trickery. Had we lost that night, the lack of a semi final with Aston Villa might have seen him depart the club in January with everyone’s best wishes. After all, the budget deficit was not made up at this stage, meaning the club might have welcomed the opportunity to cash in.

Instead, Wells spent the transfer window very much in the public eye – a goal and another all round terrific display against Aston Villa at Valley Parade. Less effective in the second leg at Villa Park, he nevertheless still played a key role in City completing the job. The Bantams were at Wembley, who would want to leave now?

This was supposed to be Nahki Wells’ year, but the bump was coming. As magnificent as the cup heroics had proved, the team’s neglectful league form was best personified by Wells’ performances. The cup final thrashing to Swansea demonstrating that the team – and Wells – could not simply turn it off and back on. Wells was a forlorn figure at Wembley, and the problems in his development were on display. Starved of any kind of service, his failure to go looking for the ball irked. The one guy in the team surely destined to play at a higher level was one of our most disappointing performers. Such a shame. Such a wasteful afternoon.

It was a crossroads in his career. The Nahki Wells that burst onto the scene last season would run and run. A pest to opposition defences as he closed down anyone and everyone. He’d stopped doing that. Perhaps it was by design rather than accident, the next stage of Wells’ development from raw potential to established Football League striker was surely coaching him to conserve his energy for the right places of the pitch and in making runs that would get him and his team goals (how many times last season did we have to sub him early because he was shattered?) But the change from sacrificing himself for the good of the team, to becoming the team’s main man, has been awkward.

“He thinks he is better than he is” was a supporter grumble I heard that has stuck in my mind, the grumble occurring after Wells had refused to chase an over hit pass and berated his team mate instead.

In a different dimension and on a different level, a similar type of stand off occurred with Gareth Bale earlier in the season. Rightly or wrongly, the Spurs wideman began to believe that – like the players he was being placed into the same bracket as, Ronaldo and Arjen Robben – he shouldn’t have to track back and help his full backs. The result was Spurs being left exposed on the counter attack, and the solution from Andres Villa-Boas was to move Bale inside so he wouldn’t need to go back. Use his energy in the right places, and just look at how well Bale is playing.

“He thinks he is better than he is”, that Nahki Wells. What does this mean? It sounds like the beginnings of a cheesy film where the hero goes on some sort of journey – such as leaving a small town to make it as a musician – and is at first ridiculed by a bitter father for dreaming too high. On the one hand we have a manager stating that Wells lacks confidence, on the other certain supporters berate him for possessing too much belief.

If Wells does indeed think he is better than he is, he needs a grounded manager to address that (which he no doubt does), but I don’t want Nahki to believe he is anything less than the best striker in League Two. Because that is what he should be aspiring to be as a minimum. He is a fantastic player: a bag of tricks, pacy and intelligent. We are fortunate to have him play for us, and just like that film narrative he can do more impressive things than lead the line of a League Two team.

Our role should not be to talk him down and complain about his failings, but to support him through a difficult time and to remain on the edge of our seats in anticipation whenever he receives the ball. Prior to January it was win-win with Wells. The better he played, the more City would be winning matches and achieving our aims. If that led to more interest from other clubs, well watch the transfer fee rise and console yourself with the compensation we would receive from losing his services.

The loss of form is lose-lose – the club is struggling to win matches, and the transfer fee is falling. The way things were going prior to this Easter weekend, no one would have been looking to buy him this summer. Which wouldn’t have been a bad thing – another year of Nahki Wells at Valley Parade would be more than welcomed – but only if we were to continue to develop and improve him, rather than allow his short-term dip to become a long-term decline.

It made sense to move Wells out of the firing line over the last few weeks, but for the rest of the season he has to become a regular starter and we have to get him back on form. City have had better strikers than Nahki Wells over the last decade – Dean Windass and Peter  Thorne, for example – but we’ve not had a young forward with as much potential as the Bermudian, and we’ve not had such a saleable asset for some time.

He can either become our main man for years to come, or earn us a big transfer fee that can benefit the club. Anything less would be a huge, huge waste.

So we need to go back to win-win. Wells’ cameo against Southend was the Nahki Wells we know and love. We need to be supportive of his efforts to recapture his very best form, and hope he gets back to the level where other clubs think about coming knocking. Not because we want to see him leave, but because a flying Nahki Wells has been proven to lead to a flying Bradford City.

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The Midweek Player Focus #34: Michael Nelson

27 Mar

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By Mahesh Johal

With eight games remaining and seven points adrift of the play off zone, City may find themselves too far away to challenge for another appearance at Wembley. If City do not make the top seven, our lack of goals scored (post League Cup Final) will be a major reason for our failure. Defensively however, I feel we have been solid and it is my opinion that it is the strongest area of our squad.

The January signing of Michael Nelson has further improved this defensive unit. Signed from Kilmarnock for a reported £30k, Nelson was brought in to strengthen the then depleted City defence. Given an 18 month contract, his signing indicated not a short term fix, but a longer term plan by Phil Parkinson. At 32, he has added further experience and steel to the squad. When watching him on debut against Fleetwood, Nelson dealt manfully with the oversized threat of John Parkin. I think many fans at Highbury that day recognised why Parkinson was eager to capture his signature.

Strong in the air and in the tackle, Nelson has a no nonsense approach to his business. His style and consistency is what is needed to get us out of League Two.

His performance (with Andrew Davies) at AFC Wimbledon, against the experienced journey man Gary Alexander demonstrated to me at least his strengths. In the small Kingsmeadow Stadium, you could hear and see the way he communicated with his team mates – both in his back line and in front. Like Parkin, Alexander is a big boy. However, I cannot remember Nelson losing a header to either him or 6’4 Jack Pell. Whilst City ultimately lost that game, I felt the late goals masked what had been a very controlled performance by the City centre halves.

It has been said by Guy Branston and others before him that City sometimes lack ‘characters’ or voices. From what I saw and heard from Nelson that day at least, it’s hard to see the training ground or a match day being a quiet arena anymore. If anything, Nelson’s signing shows Parkinson’s desire for strong and hard characters in his team.

From Derm Tanner’s interview with Nelson in the City Gent, you get a clear feeling that Nelson is a winner. His rise form non-league, to his promotions at Hartlepool and Norwich, and his well-documented Scottish Cup victory for Kilmarnock, Nelson has experience in winning! Like Gary Jones, Rory McArdle and James Meredith, Parkinson has brought in a successful player into his squad. To repeat myself from a previous article, success breeds success. With the accumulation of players that Parkinson’s has brought in, it is surely a matter of time until City get out of this league. If not this season, promotion will surely be on the cards next year!

Regardless of what League City play in next season and assuming those out of contract are retain, we will have five extremely strong central defensive options. With Davies, McArdle, Carl McHugh, Nelson and Luke Oliver all fighting for two jerseys, City have some of the best centre backs in the league.

On the occasions that I have seen Nelson, he has largely been partnered with Davies. Together they are a physical duo that enjoy a battle. However, with McArdle now fit, McHugh an U21 International and the return of Oliver it will be interesting to see if Nelson will be seen as a starter in the future. The forgotten man of this season, it must not be ignored that City’s early season form was built around the solid defence of which Oliver was a part of. When he returns to action, it will be intriguing to see Parkinson juggles all of his players.

My underlying memory from this year will always be the feeling of exhilaration after Rory McArdle and Carl McHugh scored against Aston Villa. Maybe because of this I have a bias towards these players. I felt it was fitting that both partnered each other at Wembley, even if it was at the expense of Nelson. However, he is good enough to be a starter in the team. I for one am glad that I am not picking the team and instead am watching from the Kop. I just hope that Parkinson’s contact gets sorted out soon, so I can continue watching his team from Kop!

With signings like Nelson, I am confident that in Phil Parkinson we have the man and the players to ultimately lead us out of League Two.

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The Midweek Player Focus #33: Nathan Doyle

25 Mar

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By Jason McKeown

It would be easy to say that Nathan Doyle’s fortunes over this season have reflected that of his football club, and what that says about his influence. It would be easy to say that – just as Doyle began to look too pedestrian – so to did Bradford City’s progress stall. And it would be easy to say that a fully on-song Nathan Doyle would see a steadfast return to a fully on-song Bradford City.

But to assume that current issues with both the player and club relate simply to tiredness and a failure to reach top gear would be to ignore the bigger picture. And though it would be correct to say that Doyle’s recent stint on the bench is merited, it is far from the player’s own fault.

Midfield has evolved over the course of the season, moving away recently from being built around Doyle’s strengths. The return to fitness of two out-and-out-wingers – Zavon Hines and Kyel Reid – has seen a shift towards accommodating this dual threat; and, as such, a readdressing of the midfield balance. It means that a player widely written off mid-season has improbably re-emerged to become the team’s tempo setter. The same player who has taken Doyle’s place in the team.

Ricky Ravenhill’s form of late has been excellent, leading to an improvement in the performances of both Reid and Gary Jones, plus the continuation of high standards from Hines. Doyle sits on the bench as an outstanding back up option, relative to this division. Out of contract in the summer, Nathan’s future may be dependent on how much Parkinson views other players as forming part of his long-term plans.

During the first half of the campaign, Doyle stood up as a worthy rival to Gary Jones and Rory McArdle for the title of player of the season. Signed partly, it seemed, because of the RR-shaped hole caused by a bad pre-season injury to the club captain, it did not take long for Doyle to make a big impact on his return to a club which – during his loan spell from Derby in 2006/07 – did much to launch his career. All the more impressive, given he looked a long way short of full fitness.

And while first time around he had proven himself a tenacious right back with bags of potential, his emergence at Hull and Barnsley as a central midfielder meant we have seen a very different Nathan Doyle this time around. He and Gary Jones seemed to click instantly as a central pair. They were dominating matches, laying on the foundations for some excellent early season victories.

But there was a but. Evidenced somewhat graphically at the New York Stadium in early September. A spring in the step caused by three straight victories, the Bantams went to Rotherham continuing to start with Reid and Hines on either flank, with Doyle and Jones patrolling the centre. Effectively a 4-2-4 formation, it was, in footballing terms, a kamikaze approach. City’s midfield was easily bypassed by a rampant Rotherham. At the time I wrote, “A central midfield pairing of a 35-year-old and someone who looks half-fit – for the first time this season – looked like a central midfield pairing of a 35-year-old and someone who looks half-fit.” They were completely overrun.

Which led to the gradual emergence of a Plan B, one that enabled Doyle and Jones to continue as a central pair: Will Atkinson. A bad injury to Reid at Rochdale hastened the need to abandon two out-and-out wingers, and replacement Atkinson’s energetic approach of cutting inside and taking up a wide variety of positions provided the balance badly needed. When City had the ball, Atkinson and Jones could get forward, and Doyle’s stunning passing ability could pick any of the attacking players out. When needing to defend, Atkinson was able to tuck inside, next to Doyle and Jones, thereby increasing our ability to win back the ball.

With James Meredith emerging from Reid’s shadow to demonstrate what an effective attacking left back he was, Plan B was working a treat. Atkinson’s drift-inside-approach did not cost City its width, because there was Meredith charging forward into the space vacated. Doyle performed like an American Football Quarter Back: give him the ball, and watch him pick out the right pass. He was everything that Tommy Doherty was supposed to be. Intelligent, creative, visionary. A thinking supporter’s favourite player.

It all began to slowly unravel, like City’s form, with Meredith’s illness. “What’s wrong with Meredith today?” I remember asking on the Kop concourse at half time of the December humbling to Rochdale. A worryingly below-par 45 minutes at Morecambe on New Year’s Day – he was withdrawn at half time – and Meredith has not appeared again until last week’s victory over Wycombe, because of illness.

This absence began to have negative consequences for first Atkinson and then Doyle. Carl McHugh, Ryan Dickson, Stephen Darby and Curtis Good have all stepped in at left back. But no one proved to be as effective as Meredith when City had possession. Suddenly Atkinson was required to provide the width instead of Meredith – much less his game – and his form began to suffer. City became easy to stop.

With Reid back on the scene, the temptation to go back to dual out-and-out wingers, instead of asking Atkinson to play in a manner he is evidently less comfortable with, has grown. Subsequently bringing us back to the Jones/Doyle mobility problem.

If the pair provide a more than passable imitation of the best central midfield two I have ever seen at City – Stuart McCall and Gareth Whalley – the fact that Jones cannot cover every blade of grass in the way that McCall could limits the effectiveness of Doyle compared to Whalley. Watch back the first goal of City’s cup final defeat to Swansea, and where possession was conceded to the Swans in the build up. It has been our first attack of the game, with the ball worked into their box. But after Swansea won the ball, one relatively short pass within their half completely took Doyle and Jones out of the game, and they went on to score.

Jones and Doyle roam in a pack, which is great at times. But when left as an isolated pack, they appear too slow and are outgunned by any opposition playing three in the centre. You can see why Parkinson was looking to bring Jason Kennedy to help them, in the January window.

So as Meredith’s absence ultimately led to Parkinson returning to Reid as a starter, Atkinson’s absence has diminished Doyle’s effectiveness. Without Atkinson to help, greater reliance fell on Doyle to become the ball winner. Something that, despite typically playing deep, he is much less able at doing compared to Ravenhill. It was time for a change in approach.

Fatigue cannot be dismissed when assessing Atkinson and Doyle’s form, of course. City’s top three appearance makers currently stand at James Hanson on 49, and then Atkinson and Doyle with 47 each. Atkinson and Doyle were not just playing practically every league game up until February, they were deployed in cup games too (they each played in 12 of City’s 14 cup ties). Doyle was used as centre half or right back in such games, to cover injuries or to enable others to rest. No wonder they have both experienced something a burn out.

The dynamic of the midfield is now different. Ravenhill sits in front of the back four, rarely roaming into the final third of the pitch, with the role of winning back possession and setting up attacks. The major difference between Ravenhill and Doyle is that the former’s greater defensive effectiveness allows Jones to get forward more, rather than have to help out his central midfield partner. In addition, Reid and Hines can be deployed together as out and out wingers absolved of any great defensive responsibility, even away from home.

The question now is where does the recent benching leave both Doyle and Atkinson? Parkinson has stuck with Reid in recent weeks and is finally starting to be rewarded with improved performances by the former West Ham trainee. Ravenhill, who is contracted to City for another year, is firmly back in the fold after spending so much of the season in the role of unused sub. Someone of Doyle’s ability (and, in all probability, wage) cannot simply become a League Two reserve. And with Gary Jones outlining his desire to sign a deal to stay at City next season, three into two may not go.

Perhaps Doyle’s future will be determined by the consistency of Reid. The season’s Plan A is back in vogue, and is likely to determine whether faint promotion hopes are realised. Should City fail to close in on the top seven and Reid continue to over-hit his crosses, it will not just be easy to say that Doyle’s fortunes this season have reflected that of his football club. It will be easier to determine that Plan B was the more effective this season – and that Doyle’s considerable talents are worth another contract.

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The Midweek Player Focus #32: Andy Gray

21 Mar

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By Ian Sheard

Prior to going to University, I was seeing a girl for about 18 months. However, once there it proved too difficult and we ended up splitting up. Having ‘flirted’ with a few other people at University, I returned to the once ex-girlfriend but unfortunately it didn’t feel the same. The same emotion wasn’t there and I regretted it for several reasons. If I’m honest though, I was probably with her because no one else would have me!

During pre-season I wrote a player profile for Andy Gray on reflection of his Player of the Year award in 2003, at a time when it appeared he might be re-joining the Bantams. As part of the piece I wrote, “Some City fans have recently ‘hit out’ at Gray lingering on the supposed contract offer from City, stating that he’s holding out for a better offer. Why not? Looking at it from Gray’s point of a view here was a player who gave his all for the club, as the player of the year award suggests, and scored goals.”

I could take a moment to win favour with users of certain message boards and a local newspaper site, by saying that Gray’s movement last summer and this January has served only to see him pick up a couple of pay cheques (a fairly larger one last summer in comparison to his current City deal, methinks). It would be easy to accuse him of only being at City for such motivations, and this article could serve the purpose of rallying up support for the ‘we hate Gray’ campaign. But it is important to consider a few factors before tying the flag to that post.

Gray was signed from the team down the road on a free and, apparently, at the beginning of the season, there were other clubs that were chasing his signature in addition to the Bantams. He obviously turned them down in order to try and prove his worth at a higher league team. I wonder if any of the other clubs in the running for Gray last summer staked an interest in him during the January transfer window too? Probably not many did, though I am sure there were rumours. In the end, he chose to come back to Bradford.

It may be that Gray felt as though he owed the club something, as he was forced to leave in 2004 due to the club being in administration and needing the money. Or perhaps simply observing a club on the up, in the league and cup, inspired him to want a piece of that action.

Another point to consider is that Gray is not the only footballer to return to Bradford City – and how many of those were ultimately successful on their return? Lee Duxbury, Nathan Doyle, Ian Ormondroyd, Dean Windass, Lee Sinnott, Bobby Campbell and, of course, Stuart McCall! Just to look at one example, Ian Ormondroyd. It is interesting to note that in his first season he made 87 appearances scoring 20 – one goal every four games – compared to his second spell where he made 38 appearances and scored six goals (a record of one goal in six). Stix still secured legendary status for his contribution to the promotion in 1996, and people may would argue that a one in six goal ratio is not bad. I would like to offer this example to the Gray haters.

Andy Gray’s first spell at the club saw him make 77 appearances and score 20 goals, which works out at better than one goal every four. So far this time around, he has made six starts (one sub) with no goals scored. Easy to suggest that I’m clutching at straws here in my case for Andy Gray, but if he scores two goals in his next two games then his ‘return average’ is better than Ormonroyd’s. A bit tenuous, I agree, but I do think the berating of him since his return is harsh considering this. And it’s also worth noting that James Hanson has scored seven goals in 36 appearances in the league so far, which is about one in five.

Yes, statistics are easy to use to help demonstrate a point. And some may argue that Gray’s overall effort has not been the same as that of Hanson’s. I would entirely agree, but Gray has not played football for a fair few months due to lack of opportunities at Leeds. This, coupled with his age, argues his case for rustiness further. It will be interesting to judge him on the back of completing a pre-season with us.

I do agree that Gray needs a goal and to contribute more when he is playing. But I do not think his recent form is as bad on paper as what people may suggest. It’s only food for thought, but I think that if Gray scores it could lead to a bucketful. And may just be what the club needs in that extra push for promotion.

Plus, on a personal note, I’m still on speaking terms with my ex!

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The Midweek Player Focus #31: Garry Thompson

7 Mar

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By Mark Scully

Hopefully the injury Garry Thompson suffered at Vale Park on Tuesday night in the 0-0 draw with Port Vale isn’t too serious, as in recent weeks and months he has started to show the type of form that persuaded Phil Parkinson to sign him last summer on a free transfer from Scunthorpe United. His goal at York City last Saturday afternoon again show what he is capable of in front of goal and, since his injury at the turn of the year, he appears to of come back a lot leaner and fitter into the team.

Having seen Thompson run rings around Stuart McCall’s sides when he played for Morecambe, and after failing to sign him when he turned us down to join Scunthorpe, I was pleased when we finally announced we had landed the player, last summer. On paper a very good player at this level, the Kendal-born midfielder had played well for Scunthorpe United both in the Championship and League One and had already proven his capabilities in League Two with Morecambe, albeit a few seasons ago now. I viewed him as another piece in the promotion jigsaw.

After a few games of the new season, I was left wondering what exactly Thompson brought to the team. I wasn’t entirely sure of his best position was it a right wing place or down the middle up top – the latter is where Thompson feels he should be playing. Having witnessed his debut at Gillingham on the opening day, I personally thought his best position would be on the bench. Hauled off after an hour, I was left wondering if we had just signed a journeyman lower league player.

On the journey back up North from Kent, it was Thompson who I was most concerned of out of the new signings  – we had lost on the opening day, never a great feeling but I saw very little in a player I had high hopes for. I was worried that the injuries he had suffered whilst at Scunthorpe had meant we had signed a player well past his best.

In the early weeks of the campaign Thompson badly suffered for form – he did however, net the winner in stoppage time in the 2nd Round of the League Cup away at Championship side Watford, but aside from that moment there wasn’t really much to cheer about his overall play.

Thompson gradually improved but it wasn’t until Saturday 24th November where I really thought we had seen the real Garry Thompson, away at a rain sodden Memorial Ground at Bristol Rovers in a thrilling 3-3 draw. The first half passed by with yet again a frustrating performance from the winger, whilst myself and Jason McKeown mulled over the first half we both expected Thompson to be hauled off.

However, Parky kept the faith and by backing the player the player in return responded with a superb second half performance – with the highlight a peach of a cross for James Hanson to head home. Beckham esc crossing ability. When Thompson was eventually substituted in the second half he went off to a huge round of applause from the travelling fans, non bigger than myself. I was happy to eat my own words!

Fast forward a few weeks to that unforgettable night against Arsenal, where Thompson struck with a sweet first time volley that sent the packed Valley Parade crowd wild. That moment will never be forgotten and added yet another memorable moment to the 2012/13 League Cup experience. All of a sudden we were starting to see a confidence about Garry Thompson’s play.

Prior to getting injured just before the trip to Morecambe on New Year’s Day the former Scunthorpe man was building a head of steam up, and starting to show consistently that he was going to be a key player for us this season. He netted the opening goal in the 2-1 win over Accrington Stanley on Boxing Day with a calm sliding effort from James Hanson’s knock down.

The striker then had to wait until recent games for further goals, he scored at York which I mentioned earlier and scored a beauty at AFC Wimbledon a couple of weeks ago. Superbly bending the ball over the keeper and into the top corner. Had that been in the Premier League, they’d of been raving about it on Match of The Day.

I’m still not convinced that Thompson is a target man striker; although in recent weeks my mind has started to change. It would be him or Hanson more often than not to play that role and I personally would have the Big No.9 in the team every week – you take Hanson out of the side and we struggle. Games at home to Dagenham and away at Rochdale come to mind, where Thompson was asked to play that role and he wasn’t as effective as Hanson. I believe a Thompson/Hanson partnership could work and would get some joy, the worryingly lack of form shown by Nahki Wells over recent weeks has opened the door up nicely for Thompson and he has certainly taken his chance.

I will hold my hands up and say I got it wrong with the lad. He was poor at the start of the season, I stand by that, but for the last three /four months I have been really impressed with him. I like to be proved wrong and Thompson has done just that. Hopefully the injury isn’t anything serious and he can play a key part of the late push towards the play offs.

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The Midweek Player Focus #30: Stephen Darby

11 Feb

By Mahesh Johal

My first assessment of Stephen Darby was at the Crown Ground, Accrington. It was one of those disappointing matches City fans had seen before. In front of us was beatable opposition. The fans travelled in their numbers, but yet again City were unable to produce the goods. Starting his second league game for the club, Darby was substituted after 65 minutes. He did nothing wrong, but for some reason I did not feel confident watching him. I remember thinking he looked fragile and lacked the attacking intent demonstrated by left back James Meredith.

The thing that really worried me was the sense of déjà vu. For some reason, he reminded me of Robbie Threlfall. Products of the Liverpool Academy, both won back to back FA Youth Cup Finals. The Liverpool Academy has produced some of the great names of our generation. Their scouts can obviously spot talent. In Threfall’s case, they saw his technical ability. His set piece prowess and ability to pick a pass as his key attribute.

Whilst his career at City started well, Threlfall’s form quickly dipped. He appeared devoid of confidence in attack and very suspect when defending. Unfortunately he did not make the grade at Valley Parade. But, his technical skills will always find admirers and it is no surprise that Morecombe have taken a chance on him. With Darby in mind, I was initially unsure what his key attribute was and what he could bring to this team.

Darby had a very successful youth career at Liverpool, captaining both academy and reserve team. An England U19 player, he lifted the FA Youth Cup Trophy as captain in 2006, and returned a year later to help Liverpool retain the trophy. A staunch Koppite, Darby struggled to progress into the Anfield starting eleven and soon found himself loaned out to several League One clubs. I originally saw the signing of Darby as a positive move. With the constant injury problems to Simon Ramsden, Darby offered a younger alternative and someone with solid league credentials. Together with Rory McArdle, City had strong competition for places.

Darby did not see much playing time after the Accrington game. But as the case has been for several players this season, the League Cup proved to be turning point in his season. Ever present in every cup competition, Darby has only missed two cup games this season. His goal against Burton set up the 4th Round tie against Wigan. His performance at the DW Stadium was magnificent and he nullified the dangerous Jean Beausejour during the second half and extra time. He also kept his nerve to score one of City’s four penalties that night. Since that match, he has not looked back. A regular in the side, his confidence has grown with every game.

Whilst I originally felt unnerved watching him, Darby has proved to be a corner stone of this City team. A smart player, he reads the game very well. He knows how to defend and when to attack. In my opinion there are two examples which epitomise Stephen Darby as a player. Both against Villa away, there was his crunching tackle on Gabriel Agbonlahor and his energetic run that set up Garry Thompsons shot (that hit the cross bar).

Darby is a committed and strong tackler. Not reckless, his tackles are the one that get fans excited. The reaction from the North Stand after that tackle on Agbonlahor is a case of point. He also offers the team an attacking option from right back. Not gung ho, he seems to pick the correct times to support his winger.

All in all, Darby is a very solid and consistent footballer. If one thought that Rory McArdle was underrated, Stephen Darby may be even more so. He goes about his business quietly and efficiently. It is here where his key attribute and contribution to the team lies. Darby’s consistent performances are the foundation that this City side can build on.

If we can get some of our ‘star players’ to produce the same consistency as him, there is still a massive chance that this season could finish with the promotion we all crave.

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The Midweek Player Focus #29: Zavon Hines

30 Jan

By Damien Wilkinson

As we continue to savour the euphoria of City’s recent cup semi final glory, it is a timely reminder of how football emotions quickly change and can unexpectedly transfer from one extreme to the other. In the midst of all the celebrations, Zavon Hines, a key player within that victorious semi final side and the previous cup run, no doubt thought back to his last few years in football, which have contained a good number of ups and downs.

24-year old Hines was born in Jamaica, but grew up in the East End of London and got his start in football with West Ham United. In between a loan spell at Coventry City, for the latter part of the 2007/08 season, he made 22 Premier League appearances for the Hammers, from 2007 to 2011, netting two goals, including a debut strike in a 2008 Carling Cup tie against Macclesfield and, in an early incarnation of being a thorn in the side of Aston Villa, his other goal was an injury time winner in a dramatic 2-1 Premier League victory over Villa in November 2009.

However, despite being West Ham’s young player of the season in 2009/10, Hines was to have both the 2008/09 and 2009/10 campaigns disrupted by lengthy absences due to a knee injury. He eventually had surgery to cure the problem in 2010.

The League Cup has been, and continues to play a key part, in Hines’ career. Hines experienced Carling Cup triumph with West Ham’s remarkable 4-0 quarter final triumph over Man United, which booked a place in the semi-finals of the 2010/11 season’s League Cup. West Ham eventually bowed out 4-3 on aggregate over the two legs to eventual winners Birmingham City. Hines came on as sub in the first leg after 74 minutes, which West Ham won 2-1, and started the second leg, which ended in a 3-1 defeat, after extra time. Both sides, of course, finished that Premier League season relegated.

Given his birthplace, Hines was eligible to play for Jamaica, and he was selected for their friendly match against Nigeria on 11 February 2009 – although he did not play in the match which took place at Millwall’s New Den stadium. Despite this, Hines answered an England under-21 call up later that year, coming on a sub in second half of the 6-3 victory against Macedonia, on 9 October, partnering Andy Carroll and scoring twice at the Ricoh Arena. A venue he was no stranger to following his earlier loan spell at Coventry.

During the close season in 2011 Hines was offered a new contract at West Ham; but he elected to reject this, and found himself signed up by Eddie Howe at Burnley. Given Hines’ age at the time, the deal was reported to have cost Burnley around £250,000 in compensation to West Ham.

His Burnley career never really got going and, after making 13 substitute appearances for the Clarets, Hines made a loan move to Bournemouth in March 2012, to finish the rest of the season there, where it was hoped that he could regain his form by dropping down to League Two. He ended up making eight league appearances for the Cherries, scoring once. After returning to Burnley, the club decided not to take up a second year option on his contract, and Hines was released, somewhat quietly, during July 2012.

Following reports of his desire to find a Championship or League Two club, a trial with Swindon in the early part of August was cut short after two days due to fitness concerns from Paulo Di Canio. A trial with City ensued, and Phil Parkinson eventually secured the services of Hines – his signing announced along with that of Carl McHugh on 18 August 2012. Both players were handed one year contracts, and represented young, hungry players with something to prove, having had experience of higher league football, as Parkinson pieced together his jigsaw for League Two promotion success.

Hines, given squad number 20, was selected for the opening league match of the season away to Gillingham, and replaced Garry Thompson on the right wing, just before the hour mark, in the 3-1 defeat. His full league debut for City followed in the 1-0 home win against Fleetwood, where he made a good positive contribution in the game which essentially kick-started City’s league campaign. He also hit the bar early in the second half, prior to James Hanson’s winner on the hour.

Initial appearances offered good glimpses of his ability, his pace down the wing,in particular impressive, suggesting that he would cause League Two defences problems. However, perhaps inevitably, there was a certain rawness within his play and, given this, there was a feeling that maybe an extended spell in the side would help achieve some consistency.

Hines scored his first City goal in the 1-1 draw with York at Valley Parade in October 2012, a solo goal after a mazy run where he beat three players, coming two minutes after his entrance as a second half substitute. This had followed a disappointing performance in the previous 4-3 defeat at Dagenham and Redbridge, and Phil Parkinson was pleased with Hines’ response after being relegated to the bench.

Hines also rekindled his good association with the League cup, and featured in all the early rounds as City progressed to the quarter finals. His performance against Wigan, when City had their backs to the wall for much of the game and needed an attacking outlet with pace, paid dividends and he almost grabbed a late winner.

An injury to his ankle ligaments, sustained in the FA cup replay penalty shoot-out win over Northampton, side-lined Hines during November and part of December, causing him to miss seven games. He eventually made a playing return coming off the bench in the league match at Southend. This followed an appearance as an unused substitute in the Arsenal cup tie, the team Hines has supported since childhood.

In the Villa semi final ties, and particularly the first leg, Hines’ performance caught the eye and his directness and speed caused the Premier League defence numerous problems. This was especially evident by the extra attention Villa paid to Hines in the second leg, doubling up on him at many times during the game. What was also noticeable was Phil Parkinson’s preference to play Hines as opposed to the now fit-again Kyel Reid, and it will be interesting to see how this selection policy develops over the coming weeks.

Of course, Hines, who is 5’10”, can also operate as a more orthodox striker. Offering City some versatility, particularly given his pace. This was utilised in the Boxing Day victory over Accrington Stanley, and to a lesser extent in the New Year’s day match at Morecambe. So far this has shown mixed success, and Hines only managed a first half appearance in both matches (although the withdrawal in the Accrington match was due to blurred vision), but it does offer Parkinson a different attacking option. Accordingly, Hines’ wing play and ability to operate on either flank will seem to represent his best opportunity for a place in the side for the remainder of this increasingly important and amazing season.

With 25 league and cup appearances so far this season, albeit a number from the bench, Hines has already surpassed all the statistics of his previous seasons. In many ways, Hines development this season epitomises what Phil Parkinson must have had in mind when he built his compact but versatile squad at the start of the season.

Let’s hope Zavon Hines can stay injury-free, substantially add to his total appearances and goals, and continue both his own and City’s resurgence.

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The Midweek Player Focus #28: Rory McArdle

17 Jan

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By Mahesh Johal 

Kop, Top Tier, Block J, Row K, Seat 48.

Gary Jones raised his hand and swung in the corner. My attention was on Bradford’s main aerial threat James Hanson. Rising above his marker, Hanson won the ball and headed it across the face of the goal. Nahki Wells was first to react to the live ball and ushered it back to Gary Jones. One touch out of his feet, Jones swung another delivery into the box. It was at this point that things slowed down and the stadium went quiet. In the corner of my eye I had seen Rory McArdle hop and peel off two Villa defenders. Unmarked, McArdle met the ball and powered it pass a waving Shay Given.

My cousins and I talk of that moment when you watch a goal but don’t actually see the ball cross the line. It is the ruffle of the net and the reaction of the crowd which gives you the confirmation that a goal has been scored.

Rory McArdle’s header against Aston Villa was one of those moments for me. I saw the net bulge and McArdle celebrate towards the Main Stand. Everything speeded up. The volume of the Kop raised the roof and my cousins bear hug was all the confirmation I needed to know that we had just gone 2-0 up in a League Cup Semi Final.

Regardless of what happens in the rest Rory McArdle’s tenure at Bradford City, he will always be remembered as the man that doubled our lead against Aston Villa. Every one of the 18,000+ City fans at Valley Parade that night will have slight variation of events, but the end result is the same. Rory McArdle made it 2-0 to the Bantams.

Signed from Aberdeen in the summer, Phil Parkinson described him as ‘versatile player’. In all honesty I was unsure where he would fit in the team. With on-going contract negotiations with Luke Oliver and Simon Ramsden, it was unknown if he was replacing or playing second fiddle to these two players. The one encouraging aspect from the signing was the positive experiences he was going to bring to the squad.

A Northern Ireland International, McArdle came to Bradford with a successful history in League Two. A former play off finalist and Wembley scorer, he was a part of the Rochdale squad that achieved automatic promotion in 2010. They say success breeds success. After six seasons in the bottom division his signature, together with Andrew Davies, was a statement of intent that City wanted out of League Two. However I could not get too excited. City fans have been burnt from previous high profile defensive signings. Graham Lee and Shane Duff are just two to come to mind. Writing this today, I am thankful that Rory has fared much better.

McArdle played the early-season league games at right back. He was solid, more a natural centre half than a marauding full back. James Meredith’s eye catching displays at left back may have overshadowed the Irishman’s early performances. Together with Davies and Oliver, City’s defence was a tight and a tough unit to break down. Comfortably in the play off zone, disaster struck as City crumbled with injuries in a nightmare game at Burton. Both Davies and Oliver fell to long term injuries, with the latter side lined for year.

They say in adversity lies opportunity. Rory McArdle certainly took his. With 5,000 City fans behind him, McArdle moved to his preferred centre back position and produced one of the finest individual performances this season, at Wigan. Together with youngster Carl McHugh, the Bradford defence withheld 120 minutes of Premier League attack.

We may look back at that result as one of the major turning points in the season. Rory won every header and every tackle. Much has been said about the experience that Davies brings to this team.  On that night at the DW Stadium, without Davies, McArdle stood up and led the back four. He even had the opportunity to win it in the last minute of extra time. Matt Duke will get the plaudits, but in my opinion McArdle was MOTM and the reason City won that game.

Since that night neither McArdle nor McHugh have looked back. McHugh’s performances are beyond his years. Again, this will catch the fans’ eyes and he deserves the praise he receives. However, much credit must also be given to Rory for the way he has helped nurture his younger partner. Without McArdle by his side, I doubt we would be talking about McHugh with the same esteem. The two seem at ease with other, and this has been highlighted by some of the excellent performances together.

Described as the ‘busiest man in football’, McArdle has been ever present in Citys team. With 37 appearances to his name, he has gone about his business quietly and efficiently. He won’t be talked about in the same light as Nahki Wells or Kyel Reid, but Rory’s appearance record shows how important he is to the side. It is a credit to his fitness and professionalism that he has been able to play this many games already this season.

The signing of Michael Nelson will hopefully ease his work load. With 19 league games to go, it is imperative that City have a full and healthy squad to maintain our promotion push. If we are to celebrate promotion, we need to keep McArdle fit and at the heart of the City defence. Every City fan will have their own highlight of the season thus far. Whatever happens at the end of April, McArdle’s goal will be a favourite of mine.

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