Tag Archives: Will Atkinson

The wonderfully dull close season

14 Jun

SAM_0207

By Jason McKeown

For us Bradford City supporters, the tradition, at this time of the year, is to fret about the lack of signings and worry about the transfer business already completed by our league rivals. This summer looks set to be different, however, with the quality over quantity mantra of last year’s close season having proved to be a successful strategy that we all understand will be continued.

Indeed it is tempting to boldly predict that this should prove to be one of the most low-key close seasons that Bradford City have experienced for some time. The squad has not been dismantled, and the success of promotion to League One means there is not the usual need to introduce a new philosophy for the next season.

The extent of Phil Parkinson’s recruitment will be found in the resolution of the futures of a handful of out of contract players. Tellingly, only youth striker Adam Baker has been shown the door to date, although on the other side of the coin only Andrew Davies is definitely staying on. Garry Thompson, Jon McLaughlin and Kyel Reid have been offered deals and will all be expected to take them. When it comes to Matt Duke, Will Atkinson, Zavon Hines, Carl McHugh and Nathan Doyle, there is a curious ‘wait-and-see’ declaration that will be determined by the size of the playing budget.

Ignoring McHugh, who will clearly be offered a new contract, the dilemma over these players is one we can educationally guess at. Duke, Atkinson, Hines and Doyle were by no means certain starters during the second half of last season, and as such Parkinson will surely be contemplating whether this will prove to be different a division higher.

Are they good enough to be back up for their respective positions? Could they play a more important role? Or could the budget be better spent elsewhere? Perhaps spent on new signings who can displace current first choice players, so they move into the back up positions of Duke, Atkinson and Hines?

If the bar is to be raised – and a move up a division strongly indicates that it must be – then Parkinson must surely be looking for ins that are an improvement on what he has in the building. Without an unlimited budget, it may prove to be the case that some squad players no longer quite measure up to the raised standards and so are moved on. You suspect much of the wait is due to Parkinson assessing if there are better, affordable options.

Not that such dilemmas will be exclusively applied to out of contract players. The need for improvement – and finding the space and budget for that – could see Parkinson willing to let other players to leave. Alan Connell is perhaps the best example – though by no means the only – of this. Despite pledging his future to the club via the local paper, a scenario similar to Swindon last season – where the newly promoted Wiltshire club were prepared to wavier a transfer fee to unload Connell to the Bantams – could easily occur. Andy Gray is said to have a place in Parkinson’s plans, but you wonder where Davies’ new contract leaves Michael Nelson and even Luke Oliver.

Also potentially in the outgoing section are players who have impressed enough for higher league clubs to issue tempting offers. Nahki Wells has undoubtedly placed himself in the shop window and City’s resolve to keep him will surely be tested. WOAP has also heard of Championship level interest in James Meredith, though this may not come to anything more concrete than the Aussie appearing part way down someone’s shopping list.

As for the areas of improvement, Parkinson will surely be chiefly focused on midfield. Gary Jones’ heroics have seen the veteran deservedly earn a new contract, but at 36-years-old he is fast approaching his best before date and needs help. Ricky Ravenhill’s strong end to the season shows he still has much to offer, but would he be a starter in League One? There are so many rumours about Nathan Doyle that it would be a surprise were he to stay, though one hopes so. A central midfielder is an obvious target with the excellent Marlon Pack linked with a move.

A winger will also be on the shopping list, especially if Hines and/or Atkinson depart. WOAP has been informed that Burton’s Republic of Congo-born wideman Jacques Maghoma is a strong target. The 25-year-old produced a stunning performance against the Bantams in the play off semi final first leg at Valley Parade, and in total managed an impressive 18 goals from 50 appearances last season.

Up front, although a link to Calvin Zola has been denied by T&A journalist Simon Parker, WOAP understands that there may actually be something in it and that Zola was in West Yorkshire earlier this week for talks. Like Maghoma, Zola impressed greatly in the play off first leg but evidently lacks consistency. We might expect Parkinson to set his sights higher than the 28-year-old. Time will tell.

So change afoot, but not on the scale witnessed on an annual basis in so many years. That unsettling feeling, going into pre-season friendlies, of struggling to recognise half of the team should not be the case this time around. By and large, the squad who performed such heroics last season will remain in tact.

We may not know what to expect from the division we join next season, but from our own it should largely prove business as usual.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

2012/13 season review: The best trip, I’ve ever been on

28 May

SAM_1086

By Jason McKeown

It was the year of walking onto the field to the supporter-created song ‘claret and amber’. Of hooped home shirts. Of Flexi-cards. A year where Valley Parade was filled to capacity for the first time in over a decade. Where we were looking up the league rather than down. Of over-achieving in the cups. Of selling out numerous away games. Of Gary Jones.

Right from the start, you suspected this could be a special one. League One Notts County away in the League Cup kicked off the season. We travelled to Nottingham on a baking hot day merely in the hope of a good performance, accomplishing not only that but a credible 1-0 win. The BBC called it a “giant killing”. This was just the warm up.

The league began with a bang too. After an opening day loss, back-to-back home wins over Fleetwood and Wimbledon set the tone for a sustainable promotion push. The Dons were swept aside in stunning first-half fashion – 5-1 at the interval – and it was hard to avoid feeling wildly optimistic. “Champions by Christmas” one of group of friends quipped. “No”, responded someone else. “Champions by August Bank Holiday”.

Pre-match optimism

Rotherham was a reality check. The first of many City away sell outs, we rocked up to the wonderful New York Stadium in expectation, but went 1-0 down within 75 seconds and would go on to lose 4-0. Accrington a week after not much better, despite a 1-1 draw. Perhaps it won’t be so easy: Champions by Easter?

But we soon got into our stride. Barnet were woeful, Morecambe swept aside in thrilling fashion – Jones’ first City goal met with a pump-fist celebration in front of the Kop. He and Nathan Doyle were forming a great partnership, James Hanson and Nahki Wells could not stop scoring. The summer warmth lingered long enough for a t-shirt day at Oxford in late September, with a 2-0 win taking us joint second.

IMG00197-20120925-2214

A fourth win on the trot was achieved in the cup against Burton. What a night that was. Even at 2-0 down at half time, confidence was high that we could win it. Kyel Reid came off the bench and destroyed the Brewers, and fellow sub Wells netted two late goals. The celebrations for his last minute equaliser up there with any moment we’ve experienced this season. Stephen Darby’s extra time winner was academic.

Bumps on the road to promotion followed. Port Vale ending City’s 100% home record – undeservedly so – 10-men Rochdale could not be beaten on their own patch, and then at Dagenham the Bantams managed to go 4-1 down with a late two-goal fightback in vein. A trip up the A1 to Hartlepool in the JPT was memorable only for another City penalty shootout victory and a nightmare drive home due to roadworks.

We needed a big win, and defeating a fellow promotion rival – Cheltenham – provided that. 3-1 having fallen behind. Mark Yates correctly moaning about being denied a penalty when his side was 1-0 up. Wells was the hero. Not a great performance, but a great win. Wells netted again three days later at Northampton. Now we’re cooking.

IMG00185-20120922-1653

The League Cup run was getting really exciting. We went to Premier League Wigan in Round Four – initially a disappointing prospect, but following news of a 5,000 City away end sell-out, excitement for a good night. Losing at Burton three days earlier – with the added nightmare of injuries robbing us of Luke Oliver for the rest of the season and Andrew Davies until February – meant we went to the DW Stadium with little hope. A stunning performance ensued, capped off by a penalty shootout win. Duuukkkkkeeeee!

That set up a quarter final home tie with Arsenal. How to concentrate for the six weeks in-between? Progress in the FA Cup occurred with a memorable 3-3 replay – and yes, another shootout success – over Northampton. City’s lowest home crowd of the season, but one of the best games.  In the league, form was mixed, but a trip to Bristol Rovers stands out as one of the season’s highlights. It was wet – very wet – and the away terrace offered no protection. But we skidded in the rain in celebration of City coming from behind three times to earn a point. Fantastic character.

But it was all about waiting for Arsenal. Tick the games off. Port Vale in the JPT, good fun. Brentford on a Friday night in the FA Cup, notable for how drunk one of our group was (“It is pay day drinks!”) and City temporarily getting kicked out the competition for fielding loanee Curtis Good. Three days before the Gunners came to town, an important 1-0 home win over Torquay was sealed by a superb Alan Connell strike. He was fast cementing his status as super sub. Will Atkinson, James Meredith and Rory McArdle were also in excellent form.

2012-12-11 22.27.29

So now we can enjoy the Arsenal game. It was bitterly cold, and Manningham Lane an hour before kick off was packed out in a way I’ve not seen for years. Long queues to get inside the Kop; and just as we made our way to our seats, the Arsenal team was announced. Blimey, they are taking it seriously.

Garry Thompson’s opening goal is one that we will treasure for years to come. We’re beating Arsenal! Just 70 minutes to go! Incredibly, we almost held out. A late Gunners equaliser would surely cost us, but we held on through extra time with the noise levels from a packed out Valley Parade never relenting. Penalties. Say no more.

The next night, a group of us got together to watch the semi final draw. Please be Villa, at home first, was my wish. That is what we got. Another scramble for tickets, but both legs sorted out with only a couple of sleepness nights. Now back to the League…oh dear. After scrambling to victory over Accrington on Boxing Day (Connell again!), form fell off a cliff. Rochdale embarrassed us; at Morecambe we rued that miss by Hanson; Barnet thumped us 2-0 three days before Villa. At least the likes of Stephen Darby and Zavon Hines were impressing.

IMG_0332

Oh what a night we had, in the home leg against Villa. I’ll always remember a friend in the pub beforehand predicting “3-1…and I begrudge Villa that 1!” and thinking he was mad. But he could not have been more right. Rory McArdle’s header that made it 2-0 saw Valley Parade rock like it hasn’t since Gordon Watson netted a brace in front of the same Kop end in September 1998. I lost the plot celebrating. The wonderfully promising Carl McHugh’s goal for 3-1 was special too. If you could dismiss the Wigan and Arsenal wins as being on penalties, there was no talking down of this one. League Two Bradford City had beaten Premier League Aston Villa over 90 minutes.

Other games happened in-between the two legs, but attention was only on Villa Park. A 4-1 thumping to Crewe in the JPT was painless in the circumstances, save for how ridiculously cold it was. No one minded that Saturday’s trip to Vale was called off, let’s just hope this heavy snow doesn’t make it impossible to travel to Birmingham.

DSCF6347

I took a car-load to this game. As a group some of us barely knew each other, but by the time we met up on the street outside Villa Park at full time, we were on hugging terms. The first half was horrible as Villa came flying out the blocks; but then Gary Jones swung a corner onto Hanson’s head, 10 minutes into the second half, and we were gleefully celebrating an improbable equaliser. I will always remember my good friend and fellow Width of a Post writer Gareth Walker needing a sit down next to me, as he was so overcome with emotion. A late Villa winner added anxiety, but we did it. What a night. Perhaps the best moment of my time supporting Bradford City.

We were in the League Cup Final at Wembley. Even writing this article months after, I can’t help but smile at the absurdity of that statement. I never thought it would happen in my lifetime.

Reality bit back at Fleetwood a week later, with a 2-2 draw on the North-West coast not what we needed to close the gap to the play offs. A 1-0 defeat at home to leaders Gillingham – our only home game in-between Villa and Wembley – was played out with an air of obvious distraction on and off the field. At least we beat Wycombe away in midweek, but a 2-1 loss to bottom of the table Wimbledon eight days before Wembley was not ideal.

DSCF6874

What more can you say about Wembley One? The build up was phenomenal.  The world’s media camped out at Bradford, covering every angle possible. Revel in all the TV and newspaper coverage, enjoy the players being treated like rock stars. “Now live to the Cedar Hotel in Bradford, where the players are about to board the coach to Wembley” Sky Sports News told us. The challenges of producing this website were increased by numerous media requests. I loved it.

As I loved Wembley. It was a special feeling alighting from the train nearby and walking down the streets with hundreds of City fans. The pubs were packed out, the nerves were growing. A walk up and down Wembley Way was more wonderful than I could ever imagine. The first look inside Wembley was an awesome moment. 33,000 Bradford City fans making an almighty racket. I shed a tear before a kick off. An incredible day out.

Shame about the football.

2013-03-02 14.54.47

The hangover from Wembley was not insignificant. With so much ground to make up on the play offs, every game felt win or bust. A good 2-0 victory at York aside, it was a tale of dropped points and anger. “Does Phil Parkinson deserve his new contract?” some asked. A couple of miserable buggers even plummeted to the depths of writing off the cup run as “lucky”.

The nadir moment, for me, was a 0-0 draw at Plymouth on a Tuesday night in March. I travelled down with two friends, booked into a Travelodge, and the tame performance convinced me that faint play off hopes were over. That we couldn’t get on a run of wins. That it was time to start planning for next season. A 4-1 loss at Exeter the following Saturday only added to that conviction.

But how wrong I was. The surge began with a low key 1-0 win over Wycombe. A 2-2 draw with Southend felt like two dropped points, but then three wins in a row over Torquay, Northampton and Bristol Rovers improbably put us in the top seven. Even automatic hopes weren’t over! Thompson was in great form, Davies a rock in the centre of defence and Reid had rediscovered his swagger. The decision to pick Ricky Ravenhill over a fading Doyle had also helped. RR’s sitting in front of the back four bringing the best out of Gary Jones.

image[1]

The stall came with a 2-2 draw at Chesterfield in what was a superb atmosphere, followed by a 2-0 loss to Rotherham in front of a packed out Valley Parade. Still, seventh spot was sealed with a 1-0 win over Burton. A trip to Cheltenham on the last day meaningless, but we had a good time nonetheless.

Bring on the play offs! Burton had the best home record in the Football League, so taking a lead to the Perelli Stadium for the second leg seemed vital. Alas, we endured a dreadful first 45 at Valley Parade to go in at half time 3-1 down – and they might have had more. We’ve frozen, blown it, folded. Burton could have finished us, but a save from Jon McLaughlin, at 2-0 Burton, was vital. Thompson’s stunner gave us hope for the second leg. Burton had let us off the hook.

At Burton, the players more than made amends. Determined, bullish, confident. Wells made it 1-0 to level the tie, and we never looked back. Hanson’s stunner early in the second half sparked delirium. Wells made it 3-1 and we were in dreamland. Blow your whistle ref…six minutes injury time, eh?…blow your whistle ref!

The final whistle brought relief and ecstatic celebrations on and off the pitch. What a wonderful sight to see the players going crazy in front of us. What an uplifting moment to see Parkinson punching the air.

Back to Wembley!

SAM_1033

More serious this time, the consequences of losing would be. We’re not massive underdogs on this occasion, the expectation level was much higher. Less time spent taking photos down Wembley Way, leave that to the Northampton fans. We’ve got work to do.

What a time to produce your best performance of the season! We never gave the Cobblers a sniff. Three goals in 13 minutes. All pile on top of each other. Disbelief at how easy it was. No relaxing until the closing stages. See out the job. The atmosphere was so special.

When Gary Jones and Ricky Ravenhill lifted the trophy, the outpouring of joy topped anything we’d seen all season. And there had been plenty of other outpourings of joy. Promotion a fitting reward for an incredible campaign. 64 games. I personally saw 52 of them. I don’t want to think about how much that cost me, but it was worth every single penny.

The 2012/13 season – one of the greatest in the club’s history. And undoubtedly the most fun I’ve ever had.

SAM_0142

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

City lose the plot before setting up a big finale

2 May

2013-05-02 21.07.37

Bradford City 2

Wells 38 (pen), Thompson 74

Burton Albion 3

Zola 22+28, Weir 44

Thursday 2 May, 2013

By Jason McKeown

After the pre-match tension: terror. This was frightening, harrowing, shocking. Every worst fear realised during 45 minutes of football as poor as anything Bradford City have produced all season. What a time to freeze. What a time to implode.

And yet, the tie is not over. Garry Thompson’s superb strike 16 minutes from time means that City can travel to Burton on Sunday still believing it can be done. Burton should have finished the job. Phil Parkinson will know it and, crucially, Gary Rowett will know it too. That the Brewers take a lead from Valley Parade might be beyond his expectations; but we were on the ropes and they let us off. For them, the psychological effects of being handed the red-hot favourites tag will also take some managing.

Quite where it went wrong for the Bantams tonight is a mystery. With Kyel Reid having not trained all week, meaning he stood no chance of starting, Parkinson’s decision to go without an out-and-out winger left City one-dimensional and painfully predictable. That Zavon Hines had endured a difficult afternoon playing out of position on the left in the league game against Burton must have come into Parkinson’s thinking. He didn’t want to dislodge right midfielder Thompson to accommodate Hines’ pace and rightly so, but Will Atkinson on the left caused a narrow midfield to look even more restricted.

And Burton – who made good on Rowett’s pre-match promise to go for it at Valley Parade – were simply magnificent. There were aspects of their play tonight that might leave much to be desired, but they combined the ugly grittiness with some devastating passing football that City simply could not live with. The previously excellent back four were a shadow of themselves. Michael Nelson – in for the suspended Andrew Davies – will no doubt bear the brunt of the criticism, but really there was no defender who could emerge with any credit.

Certainly not the previously unflappable Stephen Darby. Tasked with marking Jacques Maghoma, City’s right back was the unwitting victim of one of the most astonishing individual performances I have seen in our six years in League Two. Maghoma ran the show, tearing down the left wing at times but equally showing a willingness to cut inside and run past Ricky Ravenhill in the centre of the park. No one could get near Maghoma. On this form, Burton won’t be keeping him no matter which division they are playing in next season.

Maghoma set up Burton’s opener midway through the first half, after getting clear of Darby and delivering a superb cross. Calvin Zola – who yet again had saved his best form for the Bantams – ran from deep and headed the ball home, unchallenged, in between Atkinson and Meredith. Rory McArdle was seemingly tasked with marking Zola tonight, but the Brewers’ striker popped up all over the final third with some very intelligent off-the-ball runs and strong physical all round approach.

City were punished for failing to take the initiative. A packed out Valley Parade roared the players onto the pitch and through the opening stages; but after the players mustered little more productive than a couple of corners, frustration did not take long to be aired. It was a cracking atmosphere tonight, with the level of noise at times prompting hairs to stand on the back of your neck. And yet the mood was not one of unequivocal backing that the big crowds against Arsenal and Aston Villa had provided. Tonight the greater expectation led to greater grumbling.

Within six minutes of opening the scoring, Zola had a second. Zander Diamond’s long ball forwards in truth found Zola in an offside position, but there was no excuse for affording him the time and space to work an angle and fire a stunning drive into Jon McLaughlin’s far corner. McArdle was with his man this time, but allowed Zola the yard of space he needed to pick his spot. Ravenhill might also have done more to help him.

At this stage Burton truly threatened to run riot. They passed the ball with a swagger and style that was chalk to the cheese of City’s direct style. Without the outlet of Reid or Hines, only Thompson took his share of responsibility of getting on the ball to make things happen. What happened to Gary Jones tonight? Perhaps the rest on Saturday was a mistake, as he certainly looked rusty.

Burton might have made it three when some superb passing tore City open and left John McGarth one-on-one with McLaughlin, who made an excellent block. That felt like a pivotal moment in not only the game, but the tie – preventing the visitors’ climbing out of sight. It had been Burton’s fifth shot on target, while City were still to register their first.

When they did it came from the penalty spot, putting the home side back into it. A free kick by Gary Jones had led to James Hanson crossing for an unmarked McArdle, only for the defender to produce an air shot that fortunately saw the ball fall to Thompson. His shot was handled by Burton right back Damien McCory as though he was making a goalkeeping save. Appeals for a red card were ignored, but at least Nahki Wells coolly slotting the penalty home.

But there was another sting in the Burton tail. McCory’s long pass saw Alex MacDonald run clear of a dozing Meredith, and his cut back was met by Robbie Weir to finish with ease. The space he found in-between McArdle and Nelson was hugely troubling. It’s stating the obvious that Davies was missed tonight, but this was the same back four that had kept a clean sheet against Burton only the other week.

The second half saw improvement from City, as Burton eased off and attempted to hold onto their two-goal cushion. The introduction of Nathan Doyle made a big difference, as he provided the composure and tempo that had been lacking, with City finally starting to pass the ball. Fellow sub Reid, whilst clearly short of full fitness, offered much-needed width and did well. But Burton were defending admirably.

Thompson’s strike did put City back into it, and it could be looked back on as pivotal come the final whistle on Sunday. A deserved goal it was too, as he, Hanson and McLaughlin were the only City starters to emerge with any credit tonight. That Burton hit the bar through MacDonald soon after underlined their counter attacking threat, but we were firmly into time-wasting and gamesmanship country, as Burton ran down the clock.

City might have drawn on the night, with Wells and Hanson wasting glorious chances in almost identical fashion. Screwing shots wide on the turn when there was time to take a touch and show composure. That summed up the evening for City, one where the basic principles of what has got us to where we are were somehow forgotten. The fact the tie is not over is probably the best we could have hoped for.

With three days until the second leg, Parkinson will need to formulate a strategy for the Perelli Stadium very quickly. He was clearly caught out tonight by Burton’s adventurous approach and the free role afforded to Maghoma, but worrying about what the opposition might do to us cannot be the principal focus.

We didn’t do ourselves justice tonight. Now all we can do is ensure that’s not the case on Sunday, and to leave the pitch having given everything. It will be a tall order to overturn the deficit on the turt of the Football League’s best home form team, but it is not impossible.

As fantastic as Burton were tonight, I still don’t believe they are a better side than the Bantams. We now need to go and show that. Give them lots to worry about. Prey on their anxiety. This magnificent season does not deserve to end on a whimper, and everything we’ve seen over the last 10 months suggests this group of players won’t let that happen. I have every faith they can turn it around.

It’s only half time, and all season long we’ve proven to be a better second half team.

City: McLaughlin, Darby, Nelson, McArdle, Meredith, Thomspon, Ravenhill (Doyle 57), Jones, Atkinson (Reid 57), Hanson, Wells (Connell 89)

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

They thought it was all over…its not yet

26 Apr

2013-04-20 17.03.24

Cheltenham Town vs Bradford City preview

@Whaddon Road on Saturday 27 April, 2013

By Gareth Walker

When City lost to Exeter on 16 March we were 10 points behind The Grecians, even the most optimistic amongst us were declaring that the season was over. What a turnaround it has been!

Over the next four weeks leading up to the Chesterfield game on April 13, the Bantams won four out of five games, taking 13 points from a possible 15. This, combined with the proverbial “wheels falling off” effect down in Devon meant that we supporters were even starting to talk about automatic promotion.

Indeed, if we hadn’t defended so poorly in the 93rd minute at the B2NET Stadium, leading to that late equaliser, and if we had been dealt a better refereeing performance in our next game at home to Rotherham, then we could conceivably be travelling to Gloucestershire this Saturday just one point behind Cheltenham and still in with a shout of that coveted third spot in the table. No wonder the away tickets for this game sold out so quickly!

A more sobering return over our last three games of a draw, a defeat and a victory have seen us consolidate in the top seven and guarantee our play off spot. This is still some achievement, considering where we have come from and what we have already accomplished this season.

As well as City securing our place in the end of season play offs, results last weekend mean that we are certain to finish either sixth or seventh in the table and will play the first leg of our tie at home – next Thursday – and our second leg away. It could therefore be argued that, for City, this game is somewhat of a dead rubber. Or is it?

There is an argument to suggest that Phil Parkinson and his team would be well served this weekend in treating the game as they have treat all of the others since Wembley – give it everything and go for the win, in order to try to keep the momentum going that they have built up recently. This has to be balanced with the need to rest any players who are showing signs of fatigue or carrying any knocks after this arduous campaign.

In light of this need to give certain key members of the squad a breather, Parkinson would also be giving any players who come into the side a real chance to step up to the plate and stake their own claim for a starting berth in the play off campaign. I can hardly see these individuals seeing the game as meaningless.

If it were down to me I would be erring on the side of caution to ensure that we had a fully fit squad to choose from for the play offs. As such, I wouldn’t be even slightly risking anyone below full fitness in any way shape or form on Saturday. We can certainly expect Andrew Davies and James Meredith to miss the game. I would also like to see Gary Jones, Stephen Darby, Rory McArdle, Nahki Wells and James Hanson given some protection.

This would mean chances for Nathan Doyle, Carl McHugh, Will Atkinson, Andy Gray and Alan Connell, amongst others. Not bad replacements at all, considering the performances that each of these have put in at various times this season.

In contrast to City, Cheltenham Town go into this match still with their eyes on automatic promotion and it could prove to be a nervy day for Robins’ fans. Although outsiders for the final automatic spot, their players will be going all out for victory on their home ground – a place they haven’t lost, in the league, since September. They expect to have one-time City target and prolific League Two Scorer Paul Benson back amongst their ranks for the game. But as well as beating us, they also need all but relegated Aldershot to do them a massive favour and beat third-placed Rotherham.

City could end up playing against Cheltenham in each of our next three games, and it is difficult to not consider this as a dress rehearsal. Let’s use it, therefore, to iron out any last minute chinks in our armour and prepare ourselves for one last push for promotion in what has already been a remarkable season.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

In the players Parky trusts

30 Mar

20130329_150633reduced

By Jason McKeown

Half time inside one of the Kop’s Gents toilets, and the mood was foul as supporters took turns to complain about different aspects of Bradford City’s first half performance.

“He needs to get shut of both goalkeepers”, “Reid is a waste of space”, “Get Hines off”, “What does Hanson bring to the table?” As anger and despondency reigned, you could only stay quiet and occasionally agree. There was little to feel enamoured about, following a first half as poor as anything that City have served all season.

One hour and one stirring fight back later, and the invitation to feel happier about your team rescuing an unlikely draw was there to be accepted. Sure, a point doesn’t help our slim play off hopes. And if, unlike myself personally, you still thought a top seven finish could be secured, the reality of that tall order becoming even taller wouldn’t have felt enjoyable. Yet I left Valley Parade with spirits lifted by what I had seen in the second half, and my faith in Phil Parkinson enhanced even more.

For years now, TV coverage of football has been littered with ex-players performing as pundits, having gone straight into the studio from retirement. They are, somehow, considered to be experts on what managers should do – when they have no experience of the demands of the role themselves. Predictably and dismally, this means usually means urging a losing manager to start making substitutions five minutes after the interval, and then criticising them when this does not happen.

Such lazy and subjective punditry has spread to football fans up and down the land, including Valley Parade. Without fail, every single Bradford City manager I have seen has been accused of always making their subs too late. Or of not knowing how to change a game.

But although certain flavour-of-the-month managers are cited for making substitutions early, I’ve often thought that it covers their failings – such as did they pick the wrong starting XI in the first place? And when football is primarily a sport where two teams battle it out and the better one wins, I think too much emphasis can be placed on the influence that substitutions have.

Which is not to suggest that Parkinson’s three changes on Friday were anything but vital in City coming from 2-0 down to earn a draw, but I don’t agree with the criticisms that he should have made them sooner. Parkinson had picked a side that we know was capable of much better than what they had showed in the first half. And, to a man, those players deserved the opportunity to prove that. Which they did after the break, with a much stronger performance. And because they wrestled back control of the game if not the scoreline, the substitutions could be used for what good managers should use them for.

That is to tactically change the shape of the team and the course of the game, rather that punish badly performing players. For me, Hines performed better than Reid; but replacing the former with Will Atkinson enabled City to have the extra body in midfield that the middle two of Gary Jones and Ricky Ravenhill increasingly required. Ravenhill was also taken off at this point, with Alan Connell playing just in front of Jones and Atkinson. A central triangle of intelligent footballers in place, who linked up impressively.

It was a good tactical change. Southend’s impressive (but temperamental) Bilel Mohsni had spent the afternoon sitting in front of his back four and was as close as anyone to setting the game’s tempo. Pushing Jones or Ravenhill directly onto the Frenchman would have resulted in one of the two Southend attacking midfielders having a free reign to run at City’s back four. It meant City had to attack down the flanks, which although stretching the game was something Southend increasingly got to grips with. So Connell came on to force Moshni onto the backfoot, and Jones and Atkinson got on the ball to start pulling the strings. Southend were pushed further and further back.

Then with 10 minutes to go, a last gamble of City going three at the back and Nahki Wells, introduced for Stephen Darby, an extra man up front. City effectively went 3-3-1-3, with Wells and Garry Thompson wide forwards and Hanson in the middle. A risky strategy that could have been punished by an effective visiting counter attack, but there wasn’t going to be much difference between losing 2-1 or 3-1. As it was Wells – who looked back on form – set up Hanson to equalise within two minutes of his introduction.

To me this was good management by Parkinson. He made three very effective substitutions that contributed to the rescuing of a point, but what was more impressive was demonstrating the trust he holds in his players. The half time mood in the stands dictated that a double or even triple substitution at that point would have been widely cheered, but he retained his belief in players who had unfortunately allowed themselves to fall below acceptable standards for 45 minutes, and gave them the opportunity to put things right.

It might not have changed the world yesterday, and it wasn’t enough to earn the three points needed to make unrealistic play off hopes realistic, but it was a useful exercise in good management by Parkinson. And it was further confirmation of the character and qualities he has natured in this group of players – a team that needs tweaks rather than an overhaul, in order to fulfil top seven ambitions next season.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

The Midweek Player Focus #33: Nathan Doyle

25 Mar

IMG00204-20121002-2137

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.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

What of the players that delivered the unexpected?

18 Mar

SAM_0407

By James Storrie

With the speculation surrounding Phil Parkinson’s future casting a cloud of media headlines, it has almost slipped under the radar that we may not just be facing the unwelcome prospect of losing a manager, but also a number of players that have produced a season of monumental memories. Memories that I’m sure none of us will forget in a hurry.

Not that this is in any way a negative. For the record, I will be glad when Parkinson’s future is sorted and we can look to build for next season, which will be an unwanted stat of the club’s seventh season in the bottom tier of English football. The season that promised so much but delivered in different ways is coming to an end.

The few brilliant months back in August and September that saw opposing teams brushed aside with ease particularly at Valley Parade seems like an eternity ago. The likes of Barnet and A.F.C Wimbledon were examples of just how ruthless the team could be at times, with both dispatched with consummate ease. Those were some of the highlights of the season and, alongside it, swept a wave of optimism that this was finally the season that the club would break the constraints of mid-table mediocrity and power their way out of League Two.

The next few months brought some tremendous highs and lows; the defeat to local neighbours Rotherham was particularly disappointing and, for the first time, raised a few small questions over the validity of the promotion push. These questions and niggling doubts only grew again when we failed to see off Rochdale at Spotland, despite having a numerical advantage and the majority of the play.

This is something that has repeated itself over the course of the season; in particular the visit of high flying Port Vale stands out; as the Valiants were comprehensively outplayed and outclassed by a rampant City side that day, yet remarkably came away with all three points. The failure to kill these teams off was critical, despite the style of play encouraging those fans who attended such games.

It is hard to find fault with the players that Parkinson brought in last summer; and many of those signings have gone on to be the best we’ve had in their respective positions since our fall to the fourth tier. The likes of Thompson, Connell and Atkinson have all played their part producing some fantastic moments, individually and collectively. From Connell’s glorious lob away at Accrington to Thompson and Atkinson’s running down of the clock in those nerve jangling last few minutes at Villa Park.

The likes of Meredith and Darby have been outstanding in their consistency. Both are the closest thing to the complete full back at this level. For example, when was the last time you heard anybody mention former favourite Simon Ramsden around these parts?

Gary Jones has continued to defy all possible logic in his athleticism and his desire, drawing acclaim from not only the fans but opposing managers as well. The Aldershot manager labelled him the best midfielder in League Two “by a stretch” after their recent visit. The sight of Jones and mascot Jake Turton was one of the great feel good moments of the whole football season and the youtube video that captures Jones’s reaction on the referee’s whistle at Villa Park is well worth a watch for how much it meant to not only him but an entire city.

Jones’ midfield partner Nathan Doyle has impressed again on his second stint at the club. Despite becoming less influential over recent weeks, maybe due to tiredness, it is rare to see a midfielder of his calmness and passing ability plying their trade at League Two level. The cross field pass to Kyel Reid who went on to rifle the ball home against Morecambe  was an insight into the ability he possesses. He and Jones looked unstoppable together in those first few weeks and months.

Another player who seems to have suffered with the unprecedented number of games played is Nahki Wells, whose form has dropped off also. Like the situation Parkinson is in now, Wells started the season under the cloud of having a contract offer that was very much in the public eye. The club were very bold in their desire and almost desperation to keep Wells; and rightly so, as throughout the season he has demonstrated that he can do things that no other striker at the club can. Wells possesses all the traits that defenders hate whilst also having unpredictability and rawness that can excite and frustrate in equal measures. Who else could have scored the bullet against Burton Albion or the breakaway run at Aldershot?

James Hanson, whilst not returning quite the amount of goals as he has in other seasons, has improved considerably in his all round play. He will surely be attracting attention from higher division suitors.

The list goes on due to the sheer quality of the squad. For example I haven’t even mentioned the class of Andrew Davies or the amazingly consistent Rory McArdle. Or the staggering progress of a player like Carl McHugh, who came from nowhere to become one of the stories of the season. On a side note I am becoming convinced that my Sky box now groans “what again?” as I replay the moment he powers home Gary Jones’s corner at home to Villa.

However this is the problem. The majority of the players mentioned, bar Hanson and Wells, are out of contract in a few short months. And with Parkinson’s future the priority, how many of these players will be lured away from the club? The amount of attention and interest that the club’s efforts in the League Cup was worldwide, and will surely mean that a lot of managers will have their eyes set on snatching some of the club’s leading lights away, regardless of their contract situation.

Every player has a fee. Even the contracted Hanson and Wells both demonstrated that they could mix it with the big boys, and Dean Saunders’ comments on Sky about how he rates Wells as the best forward in League Two showed that his exploits this season have not gone unnoticed. It will be hard to stop the players that have served us so well leaving and a few most certainly will. There is little the club can do to stop players from wanting to test their ability in higher divisions.

This is why the club have to act quickly to keep Parkinson, and the rumours of him signing on the dotted line this week are a welcome relief. Parkinson can then look to start negotiations with the players he wants to keep and also the ones that are up for another promotion challenge in League Two. Because the majority of our out of contract players definitely won’t be short of options after the season finishes, following the trip to Cheltenham on 27 April.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

We would have taken a point, but could have had all three

6 Mar

Port Vale 0

Bradford City 0 

Tuesday 5 March, 2013

 

By Gareth Walker

On the face of things, getting a point away from home against the side who are second in the league would be considered a job well done. However, after City’s second half performance tonight, anyone who was at Vale Park would find it difficult to argue that we didn’t deserve so much more.

City went into the game on the back of a good win on Saturday in the local derby against York and were hoping to gain back-to-back league wins for the first time since mid October. Port Vale were in poor form having only won once in their previous five games.

Phil Parkinson again shuffled the pack as he made three changes to the team from Saturday, with Rory McArdle, Zavon Hines and Garry Thompson replacing Andrew Davies, Kyel Reid and Nahki Wells. Vale meanwhile gave a start to returning loan signing Anthony Griffth and left Lee Hughes on the bench.

The first half was a relatively even affair with both sides enjoying decent spells of territorial possession and looking to get forward where possible, although relatively few chances were created. From a City point of view, this mainly seemed to be because of slight over elaboration on the edge of the Port Vale box. Will Atkinson in particular guilty of this, having got himself into decent positions on a couple of occasions.

The Valiants were trying to use the pace of Jennison Myrie-Williams down their right flank, but he was well shepherded by the impressive Carl McHugh, who also bravely headed away a cross from in his own six yard box despite losing a boot in the process.

The best chance of the first period fell to the division’s top scorer Tom Pope. A free kick was hung up to the back post from the City right. McHugh seemed to mistime his jump and this allowed a Port Vale player to head the ball back across goal. It was met first time by a thunderous Pope header, which had Jon McLaughlin completely wrong footed. Somehow, however, the City shotstopper managed to fling himself back to his left to produce a stunning one handed save, one which Width of a Post editor Jason McKeown described as “The Save of the Season”.

In truth, it was one of those saves that would be replayed over and over again if the game had been shown live on television, and it was definitely the highlight of what had been a relatively entertaining first half.

The second 45 was a different contest to the first in that City really dominated and had their high flying opponents on the rack for large periods. Hines and Thompson in particular were tormenting the Vale defence every time they got the ball, and James Hanson was winning more than his fair share in the air against the experienced Darren Purse. The home side started to look edgy as City increased the tempo. And there were a couple of cynical fouls which resulted in yellow cards, as they attempted to stem the flow that City were putting into their play.

It was from two of the resultant free kicks that Hanson had the two best chances of the game. Gary Jones, whose delivery looked back to its early season best, put in two tremendous crosses. Both were from the City right and both were met firmly by the head of our number nine. The first was well saved by Vale Keeper Chris Neal, although the effort lacked direction as Hanson was put under pressure from the challenge of Purse. The second, however, was a free header that was met firmly yet was disappointingly directed a good three yards wide of the post.

At the other end of the pitch, Pope was looking starved of service although he did have one headed chance from a breakaway that he directed straight into the arms of a grateful McLaughlin.

City had really upped the tempo and it was only an injury picked up by Thompson and his subsequent enforced withdrawal that signalled the end of a spell of complete Bantam dominance. It was a shame to see Thompson go off injured because he has been one of the stand out performers over the last two or three games. It is to be hoped that the injury isn’t a serious one that would prevent him from being involved in what remains of our hectic March schedule.

Wells came on and was immediately involved in the action as he turned left back Daniel Jones and set off towards the penalty area, only to be let down by some poor control. He also had a run down the City right shortly afterwards which involved him beating a couple of defenders and then going down in the box amidst some half hearted penalty appeals from the City faithful.

The home side did eventually have a spell of pressure on the City goal after Reid had been brought on to replace the tiring but extremely impressive Hines. McLaughlin, however, was rarely trouble as most efforts were somewhat wayward shots from the edge of the box. Even the introduction of Hughes, the man who most away fans love to hate, did little to spur the home side on; apart from one flick on that was well intercepted by Michael Nelson, before the onrushing Louis Dodds was able to capitalise.

It was, in fact, City who finished the game stronger with a couple of Reid crosses causing panic in the penalty area and being scrambled away when the ball just wouldn’t drop for a Bradford shirt, even when it squirmed under the body of Neal and was begging to be put away. The last incident of note in the game was the dismissal of Doug Loft in injury time for a clumsy challenge in the centre circle which left impressive referee James Adcock with little choice but to show the red card.

The point, although a welcome one for City, is one which does little to enhance our push for the play offs. And it is to be hoped that we look back on this game at the end of the season as one point gained rather than two dropped. In order to do that, it is surely now imperative that we take at least four points from our next two games against two of the division’s strugglers Aldershot and Plymouth.

City: McLaughlin, Darby, McArdle, Nelson, McHugh, Hines (Reid 76), Ravenhill, Jones (Doyle 90), Atkinson, Thompson (Wells 65), Hanson

Not used: Duke, Davies, Gray, Connell

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Swansea 5 Bradford City 0: How the players performed

25 Feb

SAM_0407

By Mahesh Johal

Bradford City are a fourth division club. Bradford City are a fourth division club that on Sunday participated in the League Cup Final at Wembley against Premier League Swansea City.

Yes, we beat three Premier League teams en route to the final, but it is only when you look at the comment above do you realise and appreciate what Phil Parkinson’s men achieved. A Quarter Final maybe. A Semi Final unlikely. But a Wembley Cup Final! This competition has truly been the stuff of dreams for the Bantams. I do not intend to give player ratings out of ten. Every player that has contributed to the cup success has already achieved the maximum score.  Instead I intend to briefly review the players performances and bask in their all mighty achievement!

Matt Duke

Duke has been the hero of this cup run. His performances in between the sticks have been fantastic with the big man pulling a string of saves to keep us in games. Recalled to the starting eleven for the trip away to Wigan, Duke has etched himself into City folklore after his penalty heroics.

It was bitterly disappointing that his final prematurely finished due to a red card. In the letter of the law, referee Kevin Friend was correct to give Duke his marching orders for a professional foul on Jonathan de Guzman but common sense should have prevailed. Duke’s moment in the sun was ruined by a jobsworth referee.

Stephen Darby

Stephen Darby is probably City’s forgotten man in this journey. Remember it was his goal in the ‘not so glamour’ tie against Burton that helped City book its place in the fourth round. His name may not be recognised among causal fans like Duke, Hanson or Wells, but Darby’s presence in every cup game demonstrates his importance to this team. He is magnificently consistent.

The wingers he faced on Sunday will be the best two he will ever play. With speed, trickery and skills in abundance, Wayne Routledge and Nathan Dyer both caused no end of problems. As always though, Darby stuck his task. He was solid and not over awed. But when playing against top class talent as the two mentioned, it was always going to be a tough day.

Curtis Good

Unfortunately Curtis Good seemed overwhelmed by the Swansea attack. Nathan Dyer caused havoc on the right wing, whilst Angel Rangel played as a second winger rather full back. It is hard to be critical of the young Aussie though. On Sunday he played against opponents that were too good for him and he was substituted at half time.

Not to say he won’t bounce back. Pardon the pun but Good looks a very good player and it must not be forgotten that he is only nineteen years old. He looks more a natural centre back than left back but he has manfully performed when asked. Especially at Villa away he looked very nervous. However as the game progressed, so did his confidence and his performance.

Rory McArdle

McArdle’s goal against Villa will be my highlight of this cup run. Taking the lead against Arsenal and Villa, there was a sense of disbelief and surprise. However, after McArdle’s bullet header, there was a change in the feeling around Valley Parade. This dream could be a reality. Described as the ‘marathon man’, McArdle has been Mr Consistent in this cup run. Without him in the back four, I doubt we would be talking about Wembley.

Returning to the Wembley starting eleven, McArdle showed no ill effect of the ankle injury that has seen him miss the last three league games. His crunching clearance/tackle on Michu is a great example of this. As per usual, he put in another solid shift. He won the majority of headers and looked calmed and assured as leader of the back four. Whilst the score line does not suggest it, City did not defend too badly. Instead praise should be given to Swansea for the possession type attack and their ability to break team downs.

Carl McHugh

With the return of Andrew Davies, I was unsure if Carl McHugh had been dropped or rested in the games leading up to Wembley. Thankfully, his place in the starting eleven at Wembley was just reward for his outstanding performances. McHugh has played with far greater assurance and maturity than his twenty years would suggest. Like McArdle, McHugh’s goal against Villa will live long in the memory.

Moved to left back in the second half, McHugh, like so many Premier League defenders struggled with the trickery and pace of the Swansea wingers. His commitment and desire was on show for all to see with the youngster making several lunging blocks. In a sea of claret and amber flag, I could see the green and yellow of Donegal. With Shay Given coming towards the end of his career, the county may have found its new favourite son.

Garry Thompson

Thompson contribution in this cup run has been understated. Scorer of the winning goal against Watford, and of course the volley against Arsenal, Thompson has won over a lot of fans with his recent performances. Technically gifted and with an eye for goal, Thompson recent performance justified his selection in the starting eleven.

Like so many of the Bradford players, Thommo was unable to make a real impact. He did have a couple of mazy runs but fundamentally Swansea’s ability to keep the ball starved the winger of any really possession and attacking territory.

Will Atkinson

The man they call Messi, Atkinson has been the comeback player of the season so far. After a disappointing loan spell last year, Atkinson has flourished since signing permanently in the summer. It is not his skill though that comes to mind when thinking of Will Atkinson in this cup journey. Instead it is the gritty and unselfish work he has done for the side. Against Wigan and Villa, Atkinson put in great shifts to protect his full back and defence. Further to this he would always look to attack when given the opportunity. Very calm on the ball, Atkinson has not looked out of place when playing against Premier League opposition.

A reoccurring theme of this report is the lack of opportunity City had to demonstrate their ability. He had the odd run at the Swansea full back but this would occur to deep in City’s own half.

Gary Jones

In my opinion, Jones was City’s man of the match. He wanted this so badly. He ran himself into the ground and gave the City faithful their most positive moment. Against the passing quality of Jonathan De Guzman and Leon Britton, Jones had no answer. Many will remember Jones’ Cup Final for the nutmeg that lead up to Michus goal, but I will remember him as the man that lead out Bradford City at Wembley.

City have craved for an heir to Stuart McCall throne. In Jones, we have found it. His crossing ability has contributed to our success in this run. But, the defining image of Jones will be the kiss on Jake Turton’s head. His tears after the Villa game proved how much he wanted this, whilst his interviews with Sky Television reflected the astonishment of our achievement.

Nathan Doyle

Like Jones, Doyle struggled to contain the Swansea midfield. It was not that Doyle played badly, instead Swansea did not give him the opportunity to play well.  The Nathan Doyle I love to watch is the one that bullies and pressurises opponents. Unfortunately Doyle could not do that. Instead he was chasing shadows with the Swans intricate passing and movement. Even when he had the ball at his feet, the pressure and lack of time to distribute was frightful. Again credit should be given the Welsh side.

Our lead penalty taker, Doyle confidently slot his penalties against Arsenal and Wigan. Against the latter, he skippered the team in the absence of Gary Jones. On that night, I thought his marshalling of the Wigan midfield was superb. Doyle’s pre match ritual of geeing up the crowd sent the Bradford end into overdrive on Sunday. Whilst not his best game, his contribution to the cup journey has been immense.

James Hanson

Hanson has destroyed Premier League centre backs in this cup run with Mertesacker, Clarke, Vlaar all added to his list. Unfortunately at Wembley he met his match in Ashley Williams. Against the Swans skipper, Hanson struggled to win much in the air. City play best when Hanson wins headers. Against Williams and the impressive (makeshift centre half) Ki Sung-Yeung, City were unable to win and retain the ball.  After Dukes sending off and the loss of Nahki Wells, Hanson was on a hiding to nothing.

Hanson’s well documented past epitomises why this cup run is so special. His story, like the Bantams journey to Wembley is unheard of. His winning goals against Notts County and Villa away are just rewards for the man who in the past has received too much unfair criticism. I continue to go back to the Wigan game, but it was the match that signalled to me that this side was different from previous versions. The commitment and desire shown by the players and in particular Hanson that night was remarkable. In Hanson, I believe we have a real footballer. With our management team around him, hopefully we can see ‘Big Jim’ pop up with more goals that he truly deserves.

Nahki Wells

Wells can feel unlucky after his trip to Wembley. Sacrificed after the sending off of Matt Duke, Nahki spent most of the afternoon chasing down the Swans defence. With a lack of supply from his strike partner, Wells was unable to flourish. Again, credit must be given to the Swansea for their planning and organisation.

Wells’ performances against Arsenal and Villa at home were remarkable. The way he ran rings around Thomas Vermaelen and his finish in the Semi Final, Wells always gave the City faithful something to stand up for.  I think it is a matter of when and not if Nahki will leave the club. He is a class act and has the attributes to make it at a higher level than League Two.

Subs

Jon McLaughlin

It would have been bitter sweet for Jonny Mac to replace Matt Duke in net. Whilst he had the opportunity to play at Wembley, I am sure he would have preferred to have played in different circumstances. His first act in the game was pick the ball out of the net after De Guzman’s penalty, but credit to Jon. His reflex stop from Michu delayed an inevitable fifth goal.

Andrew Davies

After two solid games back from injury I thought Davis could have crept into the starting eleven. Fair play to the gaffer for sticking with the players that got him to Wembley. Introduced at half time, Davies produced his typical all action style; winning headers; making clearances and tackling anything that moved. However even with him in the defence, City were unable to stop the waves of Swansea attack.

Zavon Hines

Zavon was unlucky not to get picked for the game. He has been City’s most consistent threat with some scintillating trickery on the right wing. Hines took future England prospects, Kieran Gibbs and Joe Bennett to the cleaners. At Wigan, he single handily took the fight to the Lancastrians and nearly won the game on his own. It was understandable to see why Phil Parkinson favoured Gary Thompson and Will Atkinson. Coming on with fifteen minutes remaining, Hines faired similar to Thompson. He was unable to get the ball in key areas and show off his attacking repertoire.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

← Older Entries

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 1,507 other followers