Last week, the Bradford City midfielder Ritchie Jones joined 175 million people around the world in opening a Twitter account, after Bantams’ supporters launched an online campaign entitled #GetRitchieJonesonTwitter. Seven days later, Jones was Tweeting to defend himself when it was speculated he might be a disruptive character. It followed a suggestion he had reacted badly to been left out of the team against AFC Wimbledon, and how he had previous in this type of situation.

Team mate Craig Fagan is also on Twitter. It’s unlikely that he will have received many positive comments in light of his sending off against the Dons on Tuesday, which cost his team badly. Fagan has been publicly criticised by his manager Phil Parkinson, and the views expressed about him by City supporters on the various message boards would not make enjoyable reading for the 29-year-old. He is currently very much public enemy number one at Valley Parade.

As the mood pendulum continues to swing forwards and backwards between optimism and despair – depending on the latest result – the negativity directed at two players this week was notable given how infrequently player-bashing has occurred this season. From game-to-game, individual performances can prompt frustration and we all have our own opinions on the abilities of those who wear claret and amber; but in general this season a positive rapport has developed between players and supporters.

Which is a huge contrast to a year ago, when a much more expensively assembled squad endured a fragmented relationship with its Bradford public. The scale of underachievement was clear to everyone, and performances seem to get worse and worse as the season headed towards its conclusion. 11 months ago, a nadir was reached when a dismal 4-0 defeat at Southend saw travelling supporters chant “love the club, hate the team”.

It was not only fashionable to dislike the players, but actively encouraged by a Peter Jackson playing to the gallery as he tried to secure a permanent contract in the Valley Parade dugout. There were many things we wanted to see improve this season, and the commitment to the cause from the players is one thing at least that has been gained. One or two individuals aside, it’s hard to dispute that this City squad cares passionately about playing for this club.

Which camp does Fagan lie in? Or Jones for that matter, given the questions he has faced this week? Fagan has let the club down, and the 350 supporters who travelled to AFC Wimbledon deserved better than for him to depart the field on 35 minutes for petulantly kicking the ball away. But while the former Premiership player undoubtedly has some making up to do when he is available again at Crewe next Tuesday, I believe we should think twice before hanging him out to dry.

In my opinion, Fagan has been playing well in recent weeks and, when not featuring in the home games against Port Vale, Hereford and Accrington recently, his presence was missed. His qualities often go unrecognised, but – the madness at Wimbledon aside – he has solid experience, clever ability on the ball and good team awareness. He is not a player to waste a pass or go missing.

It has been speculated that Fagan is unhappy at being played wide right so often by Parkinson. Though the fact he has spent much of his career as a winger (including Colchester under his current boss) and has never been a great goalscorer – 54 goals in 310 senior appearances – would seem to suggest he would have no problem playing such a role and would accept it suits his game. Those close to the tunnel on Tuesday talk of assistant manager Steve Parkin’s visible anger at half time, which was probably due to Fagan. There may be tension between management and player, but Fagan is someone to look to get the best out of rather than give up on.

Similarly Jones – if he was fully fit – had ever right to feel aggrieved at being left out against Wimbledon. He has been in superb form in recent weeks, but there is a growing suspicion that Parkinson does not rate him as highly as others. At Dagenham, Jones was City’s best player but found himself subbed. Against Accrington three days later he was on the bench. He came back against Oxford and was excellent, so certainly didn’t merit losing his place.

There is no concrete evidence that Jones acted inappropriately at not even making the bench on Tuesday, but I for one hope he was livid – as it proves, not that we should have any cause to doubt it, that he cares. He had cause to be upset and – though Parkinson’s reasonings would no doubt make sense and he is paid to make such tough calls – Jones would have been entitled to question him and to have enough confidence in his own ability to believe that reasoning is wrong.

That doesn’t make him a disruptive player, just someone who cares.

Parkinson’s decision to build and retain a huge squad for the remainder of this has many benefits in terms of the options he has available to keep things fresh, but one can look at the players on the sidelines and realistically conclude that there must be some upset footballers on the training ground right now. The likes of Chris Mitchell, Andy Haworth, Guy Branston, Robbie Threlfall and Dominic Rowe cannot get a look in. That should hurt, and it undoubtedly does.

As supporters, there is a role to play in understanding that players are going to be unhappy at Parkinson, but not jumping to the conclusion that it is a bad thing or that he is an unpopular manager with his squad. Everyone paid to play for this football club should be desperate to play in the first team. And if they’re not, what are they doing here?

That is for Parkinson to manage, while doing things in the way he believes will get the best results for the club. At times that makes him unpopular with players and supporters alike – but, within reason, it is better for the sake of City’s ongoing relegation fears that these two groups don’t start turning on each other.

Categories: Opinion

Tags: Craig Fagan, Phil Parkinson, Ritchie Jones