Tag Archives: Jon McLaughlin

Team Claret and Amber finish the job

20 May

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Written by Mahesh Johal

(Images by Mike Holdsworth)

“The team ethic stands out; this is an XI greater than the sum of its parts.” Notts County 0, Bradford City 1 – the first game of the 2012/13 season.

I had the responsibility of producing the player ratings after the League Cup Final and I stand by my decision to give every player a 10 out of 10. My maximum rating was given not because of their performance on that day, but instead for their contributions along the journey.

As so poignantly summed up by Alex Scott, our previous visit to Wembley was an event. Just getting to the national stadium to face Swansea was a success, and regardless of the result we were the real winners. To return to Wembley just three months later is another unbelievable feat. Like that cup journey, ever single player has contributed to our success in the play offs.

Yes, some will get more praise and attention than others, but fundamentally, those stand out names would be nowhere without their team-mates. Saturday’s result epitomised the definition of a team performance. Furthermore, I think it was a club performance, in which every person in claret and amber contributed to the victory. Once again tasked with rating these players, again they all receive the maximum mark. Saturday’s result was truly special and the performance of each player to achieve the team goal was remarkable.

SAM_1059The two upfront were simply too good for their opponents and they deserve all the praise they get. Clarke Carlisle tweeted after the game that James Hanson ‘owned him’ and he really did. Hanson won every header and dominated the tall Northampton back four. We constantly hear that Hanson is the under-rated player in this team, but he is certainly not. Opponents fear him and Saturday proved why.

I was there to see Hanson score at the Horsfall Stadium during his trial with club, and so to see a local lad ignite the wild celebrations at Wembley is an image both he and I will never forget. Together with his partner in crime, Nahki Wells, they were simply unstoppable.

Wells’ goal and all round display was there for all to see, but if there is one defining moment of his game, for me, it was him losing the ball in the first half. Silly you may think, but seeing Wells then bust a gut to retrieve it highlighted how hard this team was willing to work for each other.

SAM_1033Both goal scorers will grab the headlines, but they were aided by the team’s wide men. The two wingers had a hand in all three goals, with Kyel Reid producing one of his best performances of this season. After missing out on an appearance in the League Cup Final, Reid appeared to really enjoy his moment. I remember specifically, at one point, hearing the roar of those fans on the half way line. I was initially unsure what generated this sudden noise, only to see Reid geeing up the crowd. It’s these little moments that really stand out in my mind.

Like Reid, Gary Thompson had the better of his marker all game. I’ve always rated his footballing ability, but on Saturday it was his awareness in the penalty area that was most impressive. Both goals he played a part in were situations that could have caused a player to panic, but Thompson was coolness personified to pick out both strikers.

Nathan Doyle also got in on the act as a provider, setting up the second goal. It was deft ball to find Rory McArdle and it highlighted the all-round class which he has. Northampton are a physical team and we needed someone to match them. I felt Doyle was that man. At times he was robust, chomping at opponents feet. On other occasions, he was spreading the ball effortlessly around midfield.

SAM_1100Doyle justified his selection and I thought his work in tandem with Gary Jones overawed the Cobblers. Jones was again simply awesome in all aspects of the game. To see him salute and bow down the crowd really emphasised the strong relationship that has formed between the skipper and the fans. Previous generations of City fans talk about the idol, Stuart McCall. For this generation, we now have Gary Jones.

Talking of leaders, the centre halves were again first class. Firstly, McArdle’s goal is potentially as iconic as his header again Villa. If anything it was nearly an exact replica. I have talked in depth before about my feelings when he scored that goal and it was a surreal experience to have the exact same emotions this time round. Going 2-0 up changed the mood from possibility to a reality.

McArdle again was on hand to battle Clive Platt and, later, Adebayo Akinfenwa with Andrew Davies. The pair were fantastic foils for each other, with Davies his usual classy self. His positioning, reading of the game and ability to win balls that he shouldn’t were all on show on Saturday. Davies’ strengths are well documented and when the team needed him the most he was at his best.

The defensive quartet had so much balance and this largely due to the full backs. Stephen Darby’s cult status among the fans is growing and his performance on Saturday showed why. I felt Northampton’s tricky winger, Ishmel Demontagnac, was a potential match winner; but Darby completely nullified him. First and foremost he is a defender, but Darby offers so much energy in attack. This is such an advantage and, at times, Northampton didn’t know how to handle our forward surges from both right and left flank.

Like Darby, James Meredith, was brilliant. I should probably describe his role in the build up for the first goal, but it’s not the first thing I think of from Meredith’s appearance on Saturday. Midway through the second half, he won the ball in a crunching tackle. Able to quickly get back to his feet, he bombed forward in his menacing style and, in tandem with Reid, was able to win us a corner.

It’s amazing how important Darby and Meredith are in both attack and defence. Full backs don’t grab the attention that, say, a striker does; but these two offer so much to the team and both set the tone.

SAM_1086Wembley is a wonderful venue and the fans have fabulous views from which ever seat they sit in. However, there was one person with the best view of all – goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin. That’s not meant to be disrespectful to Jon, but his team-mates in front of him made it so difficult for Northampton to get near City’s keeper. McLaughlin played a whole game relatively untested. When they did, most notably with the long throw in, he was up to the task, confidently taking through the barrages.

If there is an image of Jon on Saturday that I will remember, it is the one of him and Matt Duke side by side, trophy in hands, celebrating promotion together. Being a goalkeeper must be a lonely and sometimes selfish position. Our two keepers have battled against each other all season, but there is obviously a kinship between the pair.

It is here where my main point of this article lies. All these players have driven each other on to bigger and better things. Yes we have our stars, but our achievement on Saturday was down to the squad. Ricky Ravenhill deserved his run out. Whilst he may not have started the showpiece event, he has contributed massively in getting there. The same can be said of Alan Connell, Zavon Hines, Will Atkinson, Carl McHugh and Michael Nelson.

SAM_1125This team ethos runs through to the management as well. Phil Parkinson is our leader and rightly deserves all the praise he received. But can you find an assistant as liked by us fans than Steve Parkin, or a fitness coach like Nick Allamby? The fact that Parkinson wants the contracts of his backroom staff sorted out at the same time as his own sums up the unity both on and off the pitch.

Saturday was unreal and I am so proud of this team. Alex summed it perfectly when he wrote, “The thing about this team which makes all of this so perfect is that the entire squad, each one of them, are so likeable. They give everything they have in every moment, they never know when they are beaten, and the morale, the atmosphere is fantastic.”

Well done, Team Claret and Amber.

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Burton 1 City 3 (4-5 agg): How the players rated

6 May

2013-05-05 14.13.54

By Mark Scully

Jon McLaughlin – 8

Another excellent performance from the in-form keeper, who in recent weeks has made a string of fine saves. Sunday at the Pirelli was no different for Jonny Mac – City’s No.1 denied Burton’s Robbie Weir in the first half with a great full stretch save, and in the second 45, straight after Wells had put City 3-1 up, he produced a key save to deny Burton a route back into the tie.

Stephen Darby – 9

After Thursday’s difficult performance on both a team and individual level, Stephen Darby was back to his best on Sunday. As many have stated previously he is a Mr Reliable team member, but at Valley Parade last week he couldn’t deal with Burton’s danger man, Jacques Maghoma. At the Pirelli, the only real time Maghoma beat Darby was for the home side’s penalty, when City’s right back got sold with a brilliant piece of skill by the tricky winger.

Andrew Davies – 10

Thursday night highlighted how much we need and miss Andrew Davies. At Valley Parade, Calvin Zola had the beating of Nelson and McArdle; but put Davies into the equation and Zola just sits in his pocket. In the whole game I can only remember the big striker turning Davies once and he sliced it high and wide. Personally my man of the match. Davo was immense.

Rory McArdle – 8

Bring back Davies and Rory McArdle looks a different player. I’m not knocking Nelson, but as a player surely you’d want to play alongside Davies – who game in game out performs excellently and ensures his fellow defenders stay calm. The return of Davies allowed McArdle to look after either Maghoma or, later in the game, Billy Kee. And his performance was far better than Thursday – the marathon man was back to his best.

James Meredith – 8

I thought Thursday night’s first leg defeat was one of the worst performances I had seen James Meredith have in a City shirt. But again, like Darby and McArdle, the Aussie was back to his best at the Pirelli. A calm confident performance; getting himself forward whenever possible and linking up well with Reid. A play off final appearance is the least Mezza deserves after illness cruelly denied the left back a League Cup Final appearance.

Garry Thompson – 7

My man of the match from the first leg had another good game at Burton; although Garry Thompson’s needless rash tackle on Maghoma, which resulted in the penalty (not fully convinced it was in the area), had the potential to have grave consequences for the Bantams. One of the star performers in the second half of the season, Thompson will again be hoping to start at Wembley in a couple of weeks time.

Gary Jones – 9

Magicman Gary Jones had a poor game by his very high standard on Thursdays, but on Sunday he was back to what we have all come to expect. He leads from the front and is a true inspiration to his team mates. Jones’ full time celebrations typified the man – I’ve never seen a non-Bradfordian or home-grown player show so much passion for the club. A club legend already and, if that’s a little early, lifting the play off final trophy in a couple of weeks’ time would surely grant him such status.

Nathan Doyle – 9

Sunday’s game was Nathan Doyle at his best. A physical performance that we missed badly in the fist leg, where Burton dominated the midfield area. Doyley lost form after the League Cup Final, but his performance at Burton will probably put him in the starting line up for Northampton and rightly so in my opinion. On their day there isn’t a better midfield partnership in the division than Doyle and Jones.

Kyel Reid – 7

A steady game by Kyel Reid, lively at times and did his fair share of tracking back when required. Hopefully he can stay fit over the next couple of weeks and get onto the Wembley turf, to make up for his disappointment of not playing in the Cup Final.

James Hanson – 10

The big man again shone at Burton. Often James Hanson goes under the radar when it comes to praise, but his performance on Sunday alongside Wells was immense. His goal was sensational – a first time strike on his weaker foot! In the words of Andy Gray (not ours!) ‘take a bow son!’

He dominated the Burton backline in the air and held the ball up numerous times to bring others into play. Similar to the Doyle/Jones partnership, as strike forces go in League Two, Hanson and Wells have to be amongst the best. He could have made the afternoon a lot easier had he put away what seemed an easy chance late on, ballooning his shot high and wide.

Nahki Wells – 10

It’s all or nothing with Nahki Wells. On his day he is unplayable, but on other days it’s like playing with 10 men. Thankfully, when it really mattered, Wells rose to the challenge. He worked the channels really well and ran himself into the ground for the team. His first goal came about because he gambled about the header falling short to the keeper. His second was a typical striker’s goal, getting on the end of Hanson’s knock down before turning the defender in the 6-yard box and slotting home.

Wells will be hoping to get more game time this time around at Wembley compared to last February, when sadly he had to depart after Matt Duke was given his marching orders. If Wells is going to leave for a bigger club in the summer, then what better way to sign off his time at Bradford than firing us into League One?

Substitutes:

Will Atkinson – 6

Didn’t have that long on the field to make a massive impression, but Will Atkinson provided cover for Meredith when required and should have won a penalty when his cut back was clearly handled in the area.

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Bradford City bring back good times with Wembley return

5 May

2013-05-05 13.56.28

Burton Albion 1

Maghoma 55 (pen)

Bradford City 3

Wells 27+57, Hanson 50

(Bradford City win 5-4 on aggregate)

Sunday 2 May, 2013

By Jason McKeown

Supporting Bradford City has never been easy. You are mocked and pitied by others. You endure lots of terrible football. Disappointment becomes second nature, because it seems like, wherever you place the bar of expectation, the club will usually fall well below it. The glory days had become something from a different era. We’ve experienced some very difficult and dark times.

Which makes days like today so much more special. After enduring years of failure, testing your faith and testing your sanity, today City got their day of celebration. Today, years of frustration, heartbreak and so, so many home defeats has been rewarded. Today, every reason for supporting Bradford City was vindicated. Today.

The scenes at full time, after Bradford City had defied the odds, once again, to book a second trip of the season to Wembley, will live in the memory forever. They were every bit as electrifying as the best ever moments supporting the club. Some who were there for Blackpool 17 years ago stated this was on a par. Being at Villa Park in January may or may not have shaded this, but it’s all academic. For a club that has achieved no success since 2000, to have two occasions like this in one season is astonishing.

Astonishing because of how good it tastes. The memories of Wolves, Blackpool, Liverpool etc were beginning to fade. The mind plays tricks – were they really that good, or have we just built up a halcyon recollection of emotions that we could never possibly hope to relive again? The truth is we’d forgotten what this felt like. How amazing it is to feel this happy following your football club.

Supporting Bradford City has never been easy, but on days like this it is impossible to imagine ever wanting to do anything but.

All of which masks what was, in truth, a terrifying ordeal. Three days on from seemingly throwing promotion hopes away with that dismal first 45 minutes at Valley Parade, hope had been allowed to grow and theories of how we could turn it around given wings to fly. Beforehand I was hugely confident that we could do it, but as soon as the match kicked off I instantly questioned my stupidity in what I had been thinking. Have I just set myself up for another terrible let down? As Burton charged forwards in the opening minutes, the temptation to run out of the stadium and go home there and then was strong.

Even when City took the lead 27 minutes in, my nerves only increased when they should have eased. A horrendous misjudgement by Burton defender Marcus Holness – an attempted back header to keeper Stuart Tomlinson falling well short – allowed Nahki Wells to steal in and tap the ball home. Everyone went barmy. I could not jump up down myself, as I was hugged by people either side of me and from the row in front. Manic, but brilliant. From being 3-1 down at half time on Thursday, City had pulled the aggregate score back to 3-3. That’s why my anxiety grew. It was now in our hands. That was scary.

The goal had followed a half hour of nothingness. Andrew Davies, back from suspension, handled the still-strong Calvin Zola excellently, and Jacques Maghoma was kept quiet by a much improved Stephen Darby. Jon McLaughlin made one good save, but Phil Parkinson would later talk about the huge psychological advantage City gained from Burton resorting to 4-4-2 mid-way through the half, as the Brewer’s first leg tactics were nullified.

Indeed Burton were on the ropes. Wells’ goal unravelling their composure and revealing their insecurity. A few seconds later a scramble in the box resulted in the referee Graham Scott blowing for a City penalty and it seemed like we had one foot at Wembley. Alas, Wells was ruled to be offside in the build up and the linesman persuaded Scott to award a Burton goal kick instead. But it was still a blow of some sorts to Burton. They were hanging on, and we had nearly exposed the thinness of the margins.

Five minutes into the second half, and Gary Jones – back to his magnificent best after a no-show Thursday – sent Wells away down City’s right. He was challenged, but the ball ricocheted central towards the edge of the penalty area where James Hanson was charging forwards. A powerful low finish – Tomlinson could not get near it – and the back of the net ruffled. A huge roar. The celebrations were immense both on and off the pitch. In a season of incredible moments, this was right up there with the best.

A fitting goalscorer too. Hanson had played well Thursday but was widely criticised, as usual. Today he was unplayable. Sensational. For how much Zola has been praised over the last few days and Hanson compared unfavourably, today James’ critics must once again eat their words. He and Wells gave the performances of their lives, and Burton could not cope. Hope was turning into realism. Wembley on the horizon.

A scare came five minutes later when the home side finally came to life. Maghoma got away from Darby, and Garry Thompson’s desperate lunge to deny him a shot on goal resulted in a penalty. It is claimed that the challenge was outside the box. It is also claimed Thompson was the last man and should have gone. After the handball antics of the first leg, Burton were in no position to take the high ground on the latter point.

So just like on Thursday, the 2-0 down home side pulled one back from the penalty spot – Maghoma doing the business – but just like Thursday, the away side responded quickly. It took all of two minutes for Wells to restore City’s lead with a clever turn and shot that Tomlinson might have made a better fist of keeping out. The ball trickled slowly over the line and we were in dreamland.

Looking from the outside, the last half an hour must have seemed curiously routine for City. Burton were shot to pieces. Their attempts at coming back lacked confidence or conviction. A couple of half chances were dealt with by McLaughlin, but for the most part City reduced them to pot shots from distance that were so wayward they flew out of the ground. Meanwhile City continued to attack in a measured way, looking more likely to score.

Being on the inside, however, the last half an hour was utter torture. Burton only needed one goal to force extra time, and the minutes ticked by painfully slowly. My heart was beating so fast. My breathing got heavier and heavier. At times I had to turn the other way and stop watching the game. From being all over at half time on Thursday to the brink of Wembley, the prize was too important for anything but total devastation to occur if we let this slip from our grasp. City had two very, very strong penalty appeals turned away that might have made it safer. Where six minutes of injury time came from is a mystery.

But we were magnificent. Nathan Doyle’s return to the starting XI bringing calm and rational-thought to City’s play. Davies – complete with a head bandage in the second half – sensational at the back. Jones, Meredith, Darby, Reid, Thompson, Rory McArdle – pillars of strength. For how brilliant Burton were on Thursday, City were doubly impressive today. For how much we froze on Thursday, Burton were now the ones who had bottled it.

Finally, the final whistle. Cue the celebrations. Me and my wife hugged each other and I realised that she was in tears. The last time she had cried at City, we were 4-0 down to Swansea at Wembley. I started supporting City in 1997, so have seen some good times at least. She saw her first City match in 2002 and unfortunately could not join me at Villa Park. I’m so glad that she has at last experienced this kind of magical moment.

Some fans invaded the pitch, but the police’s heavy handiness discouraged others from joining. Instead the players were able to party in front of us. Dancing up and down to our chants, throwing their shirts into the crowd. The highlight for me – and it was possibly the highlight of the whole day – was Parkinson’s pumped up celebrations as he ran around the pitch. It’s no secret that I am a big, big Parkinson fan to the point I irritate others. I’m so pleased for him. He endured some strong criticism post Wembley that was undeserved. Please, dear reader, join me in rugby tackling Parkinson and not letting him back up until he signs that bloody contract.

The players went inside, but we were not going home until they came back out. In the meantime Mark Lawn leapt from the director’s box to pitchside and was hugged by fans at the front of the stand. Finally our heroes came back. It was still early afternoon, and the party was just getting started. Talk of Wembley is great, but let’s enjoy this achievement first.

“We’re proud of you” was the chant from the City fans and how well deserved it was. As fans we’ve spent years booing and jeering, singing “you’re not fit to wear the shirt” and, once, “love the club, hate the team”. “We’re proud of you” is praise indeed and the players and management deserve every bit of credit coming to them and more. Magnificent. Thank you.

But football supporting is, first and foremost, a selfish thing, and today belonged to us, the fans. It has been an incredibly difficult 13 years supporting Bradford City. The bad times have completely outweighed the little good. That we still have a club to support has been our biggest – neigh, our only – achievement. And it is for days like this that we put in all their effort, spend all that money, and sing all those songs following the club up and down the country.

Days like this, when, for once, the sun shines on our wonderful football club.

City: McLaughlin, Darby, Davies, McArdle, Meredith, Thompson, Doyle, Jones, Reid (Atkinson 73), Hanson, Wells

Not used: Duke, Nelson, McHugh, Ravenhill Hines, Connell

2013-05-05 13.55.45

2013-05-05 13.57.07

2013-05-05 14.14.02

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Bradford City 2 Burton Albion 3 – how the players rated

3 May

2013-05-02 21.07.44

By Gareth Walker

Jon McLaughlin – 7

Had no chance with any of the three well-taken Burton goals, but McLaughlin did produce one outstanding stop with his feet from a one-on-one situation that might hopefully prove vital. He wasn’t helped last night by the poor performances of the back four, but his communication with his defence still worries me at times and almost led to a shambolic mix up with McArdle in the second half.

Stephen Darby – 5

I recently described Stephen as possibly the unsung hero of the team. He has been Mr Reliable for large parts of the season, but last night was possibly the worst game that I have seen him have for quite a while. He looked petrified every time Jacques Maghoma got the ball and was largely at fault for the first goal by standing off his man allowing Maghoma to cross. He did improve slightly after the break and tried to get forward towards the end.

Michael Nelson – 4

To say that we missed Andrew Davies last night is a massive understatement. Nelson is normally a solid League Two defender who dominates in the air and this makes up for his poor distribution. Sadly last night, he was well and truly dominated by Zola and had a game to forget.

Rory McArdle – 4

City’s Marathon Man has been a little bit shaky since his injury just before Wembley, and last night it started to look like this arduous campaign might have finally caught up with him. At least partly at fault for Burton’s second goal. Along with Nelson, he couldn’t handle Zola and, again, his distribution has never been his strong point.

Whether we point a finger at Davies for getting needlessly sent off at Cheltenham or at Phil Parkinson for running the risk with playing City’s leader at the back when he was already on a yellow card is unclear, but Davies is sure to come back into the side on Sunday. I don’t think that Zola would have enjoyed such a good game if Davies had been playing and, to be honest, neither of last night’s centre backs could really complain if they were dropped to accommodate him coming back into the team.

James Meredith – 5

Similarly to Darby, I don’t think that I’ve seen Meredith have such a poor game before. Completely went to sleep and lost his man for Burton’s third goal, and his link up play wasn’t to its usual standard. Again, Meredith improved slightly after the break and looked more of himself, when his usual partner on the left, Kyel Reid, entered the fray.

Garry Thompson – 7

One of the few City players who did himself any kind of justice. Thompson looked the most likely of any of our players to create something and he never stopped working. He capped his performance off with a stunning goal that keeps us clinging onto the tie by our finger tips. Thompson has become a key player for the team over recent weeks and he was my man of the match last night.

Gary Jones – 6

Jones was well below his usual standards in the first half and his passing was often astray. Another player who improved after the break and tried to drive the team on in his usual style. Garry Thompson’s shot looked to skim off his head for City’s second goal and, again, I am clinging on to the hope that this could prove vital.

Ricky Ravenhill – 5

I can’t remember noticing Ravenhill too much last night and I had almost forgotten that he was on the pitch until he was substituted. City’s form player of recent weeks wasn’t his usual busy self, and maybe this was one of the reasons why Burton seemed to play the better football.

Will Atkinson – 5

Another player who was almost anonymous. Atkinson could easily be described as City’s most improved player this season, but he hasn’t featured in the team much since the Cup Final. It was a big surprise when neither Kyel Reid or Zavon Hines started the game last night, because I can’t remember the last time that neither of these two started a home game. We understand that Reid wasn’t fit enough to start the game, but Phol Parkinson has previously stuck with Hines when Reid has been unavailable despite his obvious deficiencies on the left, and I was shocked at the change in approach last night.

Maybe it was because our management team expected Burton to pack the midfield. Whatever the reason, it didn’t work and City looked drastically short of an outlet or any width, which resulted in too many long balls being played up to James Hanson.

James Hanson – 7

Last night was the ideal opportunity for many supporters to get on Hanson’s back but, in my mind, he didn’t do too much wrong other than miss his only chance near the end, and he was far better than many of his team mates.

Hanson battled admirably against the solid Burton defence and won his fair share in the air which he had to do, as it seemed to be our only tactic at times. James often gets a rough deal out of referees and last night was no different as he was punished for the most minor of indiscretions, whereas Zola seemed to get a free ride at the other end of the pitch in particular with a couple of dubious looking hand balls.

Nahki Wells – 5

Something of an enigma last night. Wells put his penalty away when he was called upon, despite probably wondering, like the rest of us, why a red card hadn’t been shown to the offender. However, Wells appeared to becoming more and more frustrated with the long ball tactics as the game wore on. Spent a lot of time in the second half diving on the floor looking for free kicks and it became almost embarrassing to watch.

The complete airshot as he tried to pirouette and switch feet in the second half when it looked easier to score somewhat summed up Nahki’s performance. He missed a couple of other decent chances too, which you would normally have expected him to score.

Substitutes:

Kyel Reid – 7

Looked a threat when he came on, but Reid’s clear shortage of fitness probably prevented him from turning the game around. He was on the end of a shocking challenge in front of the main stand that somehow only resulted in a booking. His performance against Burton in the cup earlier in the season, coupled with the nervousness of the opposition when he came on last night might give us a glimmer of hope if he is fit enough to start the return leg on Sunday.

Nathan Doyle – 6

Doyle made a difference when he came on because of his physical presence and his ability to pick a pass. I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts the game on Sunday.

Alan Connell – N/A

Was given his standard poultry allowance of just a few minutes to try to change the game. Connell didn’t really have time to get involved, but frustratingly attempted an overhead kick from the edge of the box near the end when he had a simple pass available to Darby who was galloping into acres of space on the wing.

Connell’s comment on BBC Radio Leeds, after the game, that he won’t hold his breath about starting the game on Sunday may indicate that his future lies away from the club. This would be hugely disappointing in my mind as he is clearly a quality player at League Two level.

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City go to Chesterfield closing in on the play offs

12 Apr

chesterfield

Chesterfield vs Bradford City preview

@Proact Stadium on Saturday 13 April, 2013

By Joe Cockburn

The play off picture could really take shape this weekend, as Bradford City travel to fellow late contenders Chesterfield.

Both clubs also sit joint top of the form table, taking 13 points from a maximum of 18. City can take heart, however, as another of the four teams on 13 from 18 is Bristol Rovers – demonstrating that the Bantams are capable of beating anyone.

Staying with form, and City look the most likely winner. Three wins on the bounce and just one loss since Wembley is impressive. Chesterfield, on the other hand, have lost two of their last six at home, so are prone to a slip up.

Everything points towards an away win, or at least a draw. But, obviously, us City fans know it is never that simple.

However, we clearly live in hope and expectation. Three batches of away tickets have been snapped up, and 3,200 Bantams are expected to make the trip into Derbyshire. They could be instrumental in driving the visitors to what would be a crucial three points.

A result would likely see Chesterfield out of the equation. Should Rotherham also triumph over Fleetwood 25 miles up the M1, that would see the Millers out of reach of the Spireites, leaving just Exeter in contention. The Devon club face a tough trip to Wimbledon, and should they fail to win there, City would have a chance to put a real foothold on a play off spot, Exeter having played a game more than City.

As a result, wins against Chesterfield and Rotherham could secure the Bantams’ play off position, making Saturday even more important than it is on the face of it.

In terms of the team line up, it seems Phil Parkinson has found his best XI, and with just four games remaining, I don’t think fatigue and rest come into it. You play for the last four games, you get your break soon enough.

It was good to see Parkinson able to use his substitutes to that effect on Tuesday. Gary Jones and Garry Thompson, who both can be forgiven for looking leggy in the latter stages of the recent games, were both taken off with 15 minutes to go, simply to give them the rest that they truly deserve.

Perhaps one change he might consider making would be in the centre of defence. Rory McArdle, while being undoubtedly excellent throughout the season, has struggled slightly lately, making an increasing amount of mistakes. While being small, at least two have been costly on Tuesday, and Jon McLaughlin bailed him out twice. I think they can be forgiven, but maybe a bit of a break may do him good. At this stage of the season, we cannot afford to be making those mistakes.

Michael Nelson has impressed me since joining. While I criticised the signing, I think it has been clear that it was the correct decision. With injuries and such meaning defenders have been at a premium, so to have such an experienced campaigner at hand has been a luxury other teams just don’t have. I think it would be a good idea to play him from the start at Chesterfield.

As I noted not so long back, in an article on my own blog, keeper Jon McLaughlin has proved that when given a string of starts, he will pay dividends. He made one outstanding save against Northampton, and he pulled off two more against Bristol Rovers. He looks really solid, and at this moment, one who you would want behind your main line of defence.

As has been noted numerous times, I think it is important not to forget the impact James Meredith’s return has had on not just the team, but especially Kyel Reid. It has been a breath of fresh air seeing those two back on form on the left wing, and Reid looks back in full flow after his recent excellent home performances.

In terms of the attack, it would be a surprise if anything changed. They have been performing well going forward and, on Tuesday, we finally managed to turn some of those chances into goals.

One I think has gone slightly unnoticed is Ricky Ravenhill. He has been excellent since coming in for Nathan Doyle last month, and that has also had a positive effect on the team. Ravenhill sitting deep and comfortably holding the midfield together allows not only Thompson and Reid to get forward, but Gary Jones, who as we know from his time at Rochdale is at his best when on the attack. Ravenhill has ultimately made us a much better team, both on the attack and in defence.

Having said that, just a quick note to say that, although it was obviously an easy game to come into, Nathan Doyle looked near his best in his 20-minute cameo against Rovers on Tuesday.

Going back to my early point about form, we haven’t lost in our last five games. The four teams above us, all of whom we can realistically catch, have lost at least two of their last five.

Is third place too much to ask?

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Let’s go round again

9 Apr

Bradford City 4

Wells 6, 22 (pen), Davies 45, Thompson 57

Bristol Rovers 1

Hitchcock 50

Tuesday 9 April, 2013

By Jason McKeown

Judged against a list featuring some highly impressive accomplishments, how does this stack up?

Bradford City’s season was supposed to over. Barely a month ago, we’d seemingly blown our promotion hopes. A heavy price paid for distracted minds over the League Cup miracle. Regroup and prepare for next season. See out this one with a whimper. It was, depressingly, so typically Bradford City.

And yet instead here we stand, in the top seven of League Two. In the play off positions. What’s more, automatic promotion cannot be ruled out. An incredible turnaround of fortunes, a testament to the virtues of never giving up. Only most of us had long since returned a verdict of no chance on promotion. For me personally, I walked out of Home Park, Plymouth four weeks ago fully convinced it was over.

But not the players. And not the management.

It all clicked back into gear, somewhere between the half time whistle on Good Friday – City 2-0 behind to Southend – and the second 45 minutes that saw the Bantams come back to draw 2-2. Three straight wins later, and the impossible has become the probable.

And tonight there was a strong case to make that the players delivered their finest 45-minute performance of the entire campaign – which is some compliment, given the cup highs of this season. Against an in-form Bristol Rovers who still managed to impress, City were in devastatingly rampant mood. Exhilarating to watch. Precise in almost everything attempted. Clinical. Rovers could not live with us. Few, if any, League Two sides could have done.

Nahki Wells rattled the bar in under 30 seconds, laying down a marker of intent. The Bermudian had only to wait until the sixth minute to get on the scoresheet. Garry Thompson got clear of his marker down the right flank, crossed the ball accurately towards Wells’ forehead and there was no danger of him missing. 20 goals for the season – the first Bantams player to achieve this feat since Dean Windass in 2006.

His second soon followed, after the excellent Ricky Ravenhill was fouled in the box and Wells struck a superb low spot kick into the right-hand side of the goal, despite Stephen Midenhall getting a strong hand on it. Valley Parade – buzzing from the start – could relax.

That the Bantams were quickly in such a strong position owed much to a pair of superb saves from Jon McLaughlin either side of Wells’ penalty. First, at 1-0, Oliver Clarke – who replaced the seriously injured Danny Woodards – charged down a Rory McArdle clearance but could not beat City’s stopper one-on-one.  Then at 2-0, Tom Hitchcock saw a header blocked by McLaughlin from point blank range.

There has been much debate about the abilities of both City’s goalkeepers this season, but both have played very well at different stages. I just hope that McLaughlin’s contribution tonight and on Saturday is remembered the next time he makes a mistake.

For as well as City performed in the first half, a Bristol Rovers goal at either of these points could easily have changed the pattern of the contest. Instead, McLaughlin’s heroics enabled his outfield team mates to continue dictating the tempo and playing with a relaxed freedom. Kyel Reid, like Wells, is back to his best form and patrolled the left flank with an authority missing when City were struggling last month. He tracked back almost as effectively as he charged forward.

With Gary Jones bossing the centre, Andrew Davies winning everything, Stephen Darby and James Meredith coming forward with purpose and James Hanson popping up all over the final third, the quality of City’s football was hugely commendable. The game all but wrapped up when in stoppage time Midenhall misjudged the flight of Jones’ free kick and Davies headed home.

To their credit, Bristol Rovers did not give up; Hitchcock running clear on goal and beating McLaughlin five minutes into the second half. It came from another McArdle mistake, and the only worry from tonight was the continued slight dip in form of one of the strongest contenders for player of the season. Do we simply put it down to fatigue – given how much football McArdle has played since August? Mr Consistency is starting to look anything but. Nothing to be alarmed about yet, but a breather might be required.

Any hopes Bristol Rovers harboured of an improbable comeback ended with Thompson racing onto Wells’ pass and firing low under Midenhall for 4-1. Only then was the contest truly settled, and the last 30 minutes became an unexpected breeze for the Bantams. Phil Parkinson could even afford the luxury of taking off Jones, Thompson and a clearly disappointed Wells in order to give them a breather for Saturday. Wells had played like a man desperate for a hat trick, ignoring passing options around him when in possession inside the area. Midenhall blocking his best attempt following a mazy dribble.

City could have had more goals; but at this stage of the season, to win 4-1 is a huge morale boost. And just like on Saturday, the loud chanting emanating from the Kop during the closing stages was a hair-raised-on-back-of-neck confirmation of what a special period this is for the club.

Because it was all over, this season, and yet now the possibilities seem endless. The credit for that belongs to the management and players. They were largely written off by all, including a good proportion of us supporters. Yet just like the League Cup heroics, they have defied the odds.

The warm sense of approval swirling around the stadium was notable only for how much it has become the norm this season. There was no player being singled out for abuse, no groans of frustration after a move broke down. When the subs warm up along the touchline, they were warmly applauded simply because we love them. Parkinson was being openly questioned a few weeks back, but now there surely can’t be anyone who disagrees he is the right man for the job.

Tonight, as on Saturday, a chant of “Stand up if you love City” echoed around. I think this is fantastic, not because I particularly needed to stand up to prove I love City, but because of what it means to sing about ourselves. How many times over the last decade or so would we chant “Stand up if you hate the Leeds”? Now weeks and months go by without a single anti-Leeds song being aired. Now games come and go without groans of anger or boos. Negativity, to ourselves and to others, out of vogue.

It’s easy to be this way when you’re winning, but not so easy to win games in the first place. The wonderful atmosphere around the club right now is therefore a huge testament to the players and manager. They built this. They have turned around a season that had slipped away. They have returned us our hope.

This remarkable, incredible season still has a chapter or two in store when it seemed to have been closed. I genuinely don’t know how this is going to pan out, but right now that can wait. Just for a few moments, I want to revel in the here and now of City being on the brink of promotion with four games to go. I want to revel in debating which is the greater achievement – reaching a major cup final or coming back from play off hopes over to sitting proudly in the top seven? And, most of all, I want to revel in how wonderfully proud I feel to be a Bradford City supporter.

A season of some of the biggest highs I have ever experienced following the club, and yet the best may still be to come.

City: McLaughlin, Darby, Davies, McArdle, Meredith, Thompson (Atkinson 76), Ravenhill, Jones (Doyle 72), Reid, Hanson, Wells (Connell 82)

Not used: Duke, McHugh, Nelson, Hines

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It feels good to be a Bantam again

6 Apr

Bradford City 1

Wells 23

Northampton Town 0

Saturday 6 April, 2013

By Joe Cockburn

It finally feels good to be a Bantam for the first time since mid-January, as City sit two points outside the play off spots with a game in hand.

It wasn’t just the result at Valley Parade that mattered, however, with the bonus of every single team in the play off spots losing. City find themselves in a favourable position, with plenty of points still to play for.

Not only is the position favourable, but the form. Exeter are losing games for fun at the moment, and Rotherham can’t win away from the New York Stadium. Not only these two sides directly above us, but above them Burton, Cheltenham and, of course, Northampton all lost, as well as Fleetwood who sat in eighth at 3 o’clock. That means that not only seventh, the final play off place, well within our reach, but automatic promotion isn’t too far away.

The game itself was somewhat of a thriller. Both sides with chances to win it, both keepers were kept busy and, as per usual, the referee was very much at the centre of the action.

City were on top for the majority of the game, creating the more clear cut chances, and should probably have won the game by a greater margin. Good moves created chances for Garry Thompson, Kyel Reid and Nahki Wells either side of the half time whistle, but they couldn’t convert and make the closing stages that little more comfortable.

Northampton had chances themselves, two goal line scrambles, a Clarke Carlisle header and a Dan Harding volley which produced an outstanding save from Bantams’ stopper Jon McLaughlin. Super Jon ringing round Valley Parade for several minutes after. Lee Nicholls in the Northampton goal himself made several fine saves, from Reid and Thompson, as well as a Rory McArdle effort which would have been chalked off by over-officious referee Trevor Kettle.

Kettle, and his linesmen it must be said, certainly made their presence known, making sure they got involved at the end of every move. The crowd certainly knew who he was, on his back in the first five minutes with fouls from both the Cobblers’ left wing duo. He gave some awful decisions, most notably giving a corner and a goal kick to Northampton (on separate instances it must be said) when no City player was anywhere near getting a touch on the ball.

But ultimately, City came out on top, and deserved the three points they earned, propelling them to eighth and one win away from a play off berth.

It was probably the defence that did the job. Everyone knows how Northampton like to play, and the defenders, most notably Andrew Davies, stood firm, despite a few expected shaky moments from Rory McArdle.

James Meredith impressed once again, getting forward well to support Reid throughout, but also doing a great job defensively, especially battling against winger and sun to head the ball in the first half.

Reid himself was in decent form, using his pace to good effect, but he didn’t cross as much as he usually does, and cut inside looking for a shot too much for my liking. Especially when he is blatantly left-footed. Only one of his efforts troubling Nicholls.

I thought Thompson looked slightly out of sorts, failing to establish himself in the game, and was rightly replaced by Hines around the 70-minute mark. Thompson looked a bit leggy, and perhaps a rest may do him good on Tuesday after a lot of football and a lot of running lately.

But it was Wells who grabbed all the attention in the attack, showing a sharpness and willingness that we haven’t seen from him in a while. His goal – the game’s only – was fortunate, but only scored due to his persistent pressure and running following a mix up between Nicholls and Carlilse. A carbon copy of the one he scored courtesy of Michael Duberry against Oxford earlier in the season.

All in all, a good performance for City, setting us up well for the run in. But we have to keep our attention on the teams around us, and not just the teams above us. Chesterfield are catching the eye, finding even better form than City and sitting just one point behind, despite having played a game more than the Bantams. Next weekend’s game in Derbyshire has suddenly become of great importance.

A win on Tuesday would see City definitely in the play offs, as Rotherham and Exeter are playing each other and goal difference is in the Bantams’ favour. However, not in the City’s favour is the next visitor’s form – Bristol Rovers losing only two of their last 10, and those coming against Northampton and Chesterfield. But everyone at Valley Parade will be confident of the home side getting the desired result.

One final thing of note was the support. The  backing from the crowd today was fantastic, especially in the last 10-15 minutes when the team was clearly tiring. All four sides of Valley Parade in strong voice to push the Claret and Amber army to victory.

A good day at the office, one may say.

City: McLaughlin, Darby, Davies, McArdle, Meredith, Thompson (Hines 72), Ravenhill, Jones, Reid, Hanson, Wells (Atkinson 90)

Not used: Duke, Nelson, McHugh, Doyle, Connell

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The catch up game continues

29 Mar

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Bradford City 2

Hines 53, Hanson 83

Southend United 2

Tomlin 10, Assombalonga 11

Friday 29 March, 2013

By Mark Danylczuk

Eight points off the play offs, with seven games to go. Mathematically possible – yes. In reality – probably not, barring an incredible run of results. Another one of those days for Bradford City, with dropped points proving costly in catching up to the play off pack and one less game as a margin for error. In a freakish reversal of the 2-2 draw at Southend in December, where City let a two goal lead slip to draw, the tables were turned today. The Bantams coming back from a two goal deficit to earn a deserved draw in an entertaining game at Valley Parade.

Parkinson kept the same line up from the team which beat Wycombe 12 days ago, with an attacking impetus of Kyel Reid and Zavon Hines on the wings to provide delivery to the pair of James Hanson and Garry Thompson up front. The game saw Phil Brown’s debut as Southend manager, as the hosts were looking to build on their promotion push with neither team wanting to drop any points at this crucial time in the season.

Both teams started the game fairly brightly but then, before City had time to make any sort of impact, the killer blow was dealt with two goals conceded in a matter of minutes, which meant the remainder of the match was a game of catch-up. The first goal in the 10th minute was very poor defensively with a long ball floated in, Jon McLaughlin flapped and missed the ball, Mohsni hit the post from the resulting shot and Tomlin was there to convert the rebound for the visitors.

A minute later Southend raced away again on the counter attack with the ball switched to the right-hand side, crossed in by Clohessy and Assombalonga clumsily converted from six yards. The two goals from Tomlin and Assombalonga made it 27 between the prominent Southend front pairing and, for the rest of the first half, City simply could not cope with the duo’s pace and presence.

City were quick to respond and from a free kick in the 12th minute; Reid was unlucky to hit the underside of the bar and Hanson’s resulting header was cleared off the line by the Southend defence. With the crowd spurring the team on, Gary Jones began to get a grip of the midfield and City enjoyed more of the possession with some neat and tidy passing, but no end product in the final third. Southend looked comfortable to soak up the possession, being effective on the counter, and City struggled to muster anything of any significance for the remainder of the first half. In particular, Hines looked poor and lacklustre and Ricky Ravenhill was also anonymous.

The Bantams began the second half strongly with continued pressure. The first chance of the period came in the 52nd minute with a ball in the box from James Meredith, a Hanson knock down and the resultant scramble leaving Hines to bundle the ball home – but the referee Steve Rushton disallowed the goal, apparently for a handball against Hines. Zavon was to have his moment a minute later though, as City got the early goal required to put pressure on the hosts in forcing a comeback. Again, another ball across from Meredith, and Hines struck the ball sweetly with his left foot, first time into the bottom right-hand corner of the goal. Justice done.

The momentum was clearly with City now in getting the equaliser, but Southend were also just as dangerous and had a great chance to re-establish the two goal cushion in the 70th minute. Substitute Matthew Lund broke clear down the middle and, with the City defence stretched, had a great opportunity to slip the ball through to Assombalonga to make it 3-1. But Lund selfishly tried his luck with a shot from 20 yards out which went well wide.

Parkinson could see that reinforcements were needed to freshen things up and Will Atkinson came on for Ravenhill, slotting into central midfield, whilst Alan Connell came on for Hines and went up front with Thompson moving out to the right wing. Again, the hosts went closer to scoring, this time with Mkandawire hitting the post in the 75th minute with a shot from the edge of the box.

Last chance saloon and it called for Nakhi Wells to come on for Darby in the 80th minute and form an attacking front three with Hanson and Connell. The substitution almost immediately paid off as, a couple of minutes later, City grabbed a deserved equaliser. Wells broke free to the left of the box and clipped a ball over to the far post for Hanson to head in.

Cue pandemonium from the City fans and the roar to press on for the winner. It was backs to the walls for the hosts who, although stunned from the two-goal lead lost, seemed keen to preserve a point. It was a game of attack and defence. City’s two best remaining chances came in the final minutes. The first was Wells cutting in from the right just outside the box and forcing a good save from the keeper with a powerful shot. The second was from another Reid run, which resulted in him going down in the box with Rushton refusing the penalty appeals and – to rub salt in the wounds – giving Reid a yellow card for diving.

But it was not to be. After five minutes of extra time, the game was up and City were left to rue another two points dropped. The damage was done after the two early goals conceded so quickly after one another. A few plus points can be raised – the tactical changes by Parkinson with introducing Wells in making an impact to set up Hanson for the equaliser, and Wells himself looking much sharper and more effective than in recent weeks. The warrior, Gary Jones, produced another impeccable and inspirational midfield performance.

Reid, given the sponsor’s man of the match award, also must be credited for putting a shift in and getting balls in the box to create chances. Yes, some of his crosses were poor, but most were decent, with City players not willing to gamble. I cannot understand some City fans who jeered and booed a player who was our most creative outlet, willing runner and focus of our attacking play. Personal opinion indeed, but where would the crosses come from otherwise? Hines on the opposing wing barely produced one all game.

Although City have not been picking up as many points as hoped, it is worth noting that it’s only one defeat in the last eight games. Progress, but the fact only two of these games have seen victories is simply not promotion material. With two matches a week for the next three weeks, it is asking a lot for a team to produce a promotion run of multiple victories with such a schedule. Parkinson will have to chop and change the team in order to work towards this.

Simply put, it has to be two wins against Torquay and Northampton next week – to keep the distant play off dream alive.

City: McLaughlin, Darby (Wells 81), Meredith, Davies, McArdle, Ravenhill (Atkinson 73), Reid, Thompson,  Jones,  Hanson, Hines (Connell 73)

Not used: Duke, McHugh, Nelson,  Doyle

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Should I stay (home) or should I go?

19 Mar

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Bradford City vs Wycombe Wanderers preview

@Valley Parade on Tuesday 19 March, 2013

By Damien Wilkinson

In the aftermath of last Saturday’s very disappointing 4-1 defeat at Exeter, there has been the expected outpouring of frustration as to how this season is panning out. Even the most optimistic fans finally conceding that the wheels have finally fallen off a play off push, and thoughts of a second visit to Wembley extinguished.

With a further nine matches of the season left, post mortems seem to have be the order of the day (and indeed seem to have been carried out on a still very much alive patient, for a number of matches previously), and debates range from the impact of the League Cup run on City’s League Two campaign, the need for new strikers, goals from midfield, squad rotation etc etc.

Indeed the ‘experts’ in our fanbase seemingly delight in telling us where Phil Parkinson has got it wrong, which players who are not “up to it” or a “disgrace” and so forth. Over the last few weeks you can hardly move for the number of towels that have been thrown in along the way. The management and players of the club are no doubt baffled by the fickle and fragile nature of the fanbase. And this may still prove to have more far reaching consequences given the approaching renewal of a number of management and player contracts, and the associated ability to build upon a solid platform going forwards.

Whilst frustration with the season is inevitable, it is important that we react constructively to the current adversity and avoid implosion. After the past 12 seasons of decline, this season, certainly for me, represents a massive turnaround, albeit in many ways that would not have been expected at the start of the season.

Again, despite what has become a tendency to not be able to capitalise on our superiority in spells of games, which has led to too many draws or defeats, I can’t think of many games where I have been disappointed in the efforts or commitment of the players or the overall performances. City have generally looked solid with a controlled aggression, create chances and have good periods of domination and certainly are not a million miles away from being a very successful side.

This time last year City found themselves marooned in 18th place in League Two, having amassed 39 points from 36 matches. The 51 points currently gained from 37 games represents genuine progress, and a further sobering thought is that Accrington Stanley, currently bottom of the table with 40 points after 38 matches, share the same points tally City managed after that number of games last season.

Which brings things on to Tuesday’s re-arranged visit of Wycombe to Valley Parade, initially scheduled for the end of January. City’s re-scheduled match in the corresponding away fixture in February, looked a tricky game against Wycombe, who were then the division’s form team, but following a convincing 3-0 victory, it looked like City had re-kindled their own league form and could kick on accordingly. Sadly we have been unable to string wins together since then; the five match unbeaten run recently ended, being hampered by too many draws.

Since the match against the Bantams, Wycombe have had a sequence that has seen them win two and draw one of their last six matches. The seven points gained leaving them in 15th place in the league. Last Saturday saw the Chairboys’ match against Northampton postponed due to a waterlogged playing surface at Adams Park. Having hit the bottom of the table earlier this season, the Blues will be keen to maintain a positive climb up the league, which has all but cemented survival.

Wycombe have a number of players ruled out for the rest of the season (Anthony Stewart, Matt Bloomfield, Danny Foster and Grant Basey) but have recently welcomed back centre back Gary Doherty; and striker Matt McClure has recovered from a foot injury sustained in the recent 2-2 home draw against Rotherham. Player-manager Gareth Ainsworth may again start on the bench.

City themselves have also taken seven points from the games following the fixture at Adams Park, albeit having played an extra match. And, in 12th place, are just two points ahead of the Chairboys. The Bantams failure to get early goals of late has been costly, and interestingly the Wycombe away fixture was the last time a first half goal was scored, notably Nathan Doyle’s first minute strike.

Given the recent comments regarding player fatigue, Phil Parkinson will no doubt shuffle the pack yet again and line-ups remain difficult to predict. The much-heralded inclusion of Alan Connell in the starting line-up at Exeter meant a changed formation, and whether this worked or not, will no doubt be answered to a degree by the side fielded on Tuesday night.

Following the second half attacking performance last Saturday, I would expect Connell to return to the bench again, with wingers permed from Zavon Hines, Kyel Reid and Will Atkinson. Despite the substitution of Garry Thompson at the weekend, his recent form would suggest another start alongside James Hanson, with Nahki Wells perhaps more effective as an impact substitution, as he seeks to return to his earlier goal scoring form.

Rory McArdle could rotate with either Andrew Davies or Michael Nelson, and James Meredith makes a welcome return to the side following recovery from his bout of glandular fever, which is likely to see Carl McHugh give way.

Given Matt Duke’s below par performance on Saturday, there is a call to be made in the goalkeeper position. Whether Parkinson sticks with the keeper who has not let City down whatsoever this season, or brings Jon McLaughlin back, remains to be seen. The completely unnecessary and hysterical calls for the return of McLaughlin during Saturday’s match speaking volumes about a number of so-called supporters last weekend.

So, no doubt in what many will now perceive to be a meaningless end of season fixture for both sides, we will see a number of supporters stay away, and the potential for a subdued atmosphere in the first of three consecutive home matches. Whilst the Wembley flags have now been put away, let’s hope those attending continue to positively support the team for the remainder of this season. Not only could such type of support have a longer reaching impact on next season, it will hopefully help us to finally chalk up a much-needed first home win of the year.

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Three points a must in the distant play off push

8 Mar

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Bradford City vs Aldershot Town preview

@Valley Parade on Saturday 9 March, 2013

By Mark Danylczuk

Well it’s come down to this – possibly City’s most crucial match of the campaign as it is effectively win or bust. A victory tomorrow and it’s off to Plymouth next week with renewed optimism of closing the gap further on those play-off places. But lose, and it looks set to be another season of League Two football for City’s cup heroes in the class of 2012/13.

It shouldn’t have come this far in the season. In recent games, three points dropped against Wimbledon away with another two possibly gained at Vale would have even put us five points better off.  Count that against the numerous matches where City have lost by a goal or two, dropped a point here and there, and it’s the harsh reality of mid table mediocrity. I do not doubt that City could put a run together, but it would have to be some run to get into the play offs, where you are looking to win 75% of games remaining at least.

It won’t be easy against an Aldershot side that, although three points off relegation, are on a decent run of form having being unbeaten in their last five games, with two wins and a draw. After a respectful home draw against Gillingham, it won’t be easy pickings for City on Saturday with Aldershot hungry for the points to steer them further away from the relegation places. City’s back line will also need to be on top form as the Aldershot goalscoring partnership of Hylton and Reid have a respectable 23 goals between them this season.

As for City, Jon McLaughlin should keep his place after another clean sheet (and that remarkable save) on Tuesday against Vale; and the rib injury to Garry Thompson should give way to a return to the starting line up for Nakhi Wells, much in need of a few goals to boost his confidence. There is still a discussion point with the strikers though, with the heavily underutilised Alan Connell and, so far, mediocre Andy Gary still not being given their chances to prove themselves – with Nakhi suffering with fitness and poor form.

Parkinson has shuffled the pack numerous times in keeping the team fresh with the hectic schedule but the team is arguably lacking identity with this method and some stability would be welcome to get the coherence back in the squad.

The big games come thick and fast for City; as after Plymouth, it’s a trip to play off rivals Exeter. Time for the Bantams to stand up and be counted, or the only memories of this season will be THAT cup run…

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