By Jason McKeown

There were moments during this stodgy, rain-drenched, war of attrition where a game of football almost broke out. But ultimately, the stench of stalemate wafted over Valley Parade long before the final whistle confirmed a 0-0 outcome where the only winner was pragmatism.

Bradford City and Stockport County both clearly habour high seasonal ambitions, but here they put idealism to one-side for the night to instead trade low-risk blows and ultimately cancel each other out. You suspect neither side minded settling for maintaining their bubbles of positivity. Leaders Stockport are still recovering from a mini dip and will be thrilled to remain five points clear, on an evening where their three closest challengers all slipped up. The Bantams get to stretch their unbeaten run to eight games, and end 2023 still reasonably in touch with the play off pack.

For each side, take the point on offer. Shake hands. Smile. Move on. It was a slightly underwhelming outcome for a packed out Valley Parade that included a healthy Stockport away following. But no one is going to spend the New Years Eve weekend feeling too unhappy.

After a day of dismal weather that placed the game in doubt – a late pitch inspection was needed, as the Bradford district took another battering from Storm Gerrit’s latest flourish – the mud-soaked pitch and swirling rain were never going to be conducive to free-flowing action. It was a grim night to play football, and the game matched it. Mistakes were plentiful as the ball held up when it should have rolled smoothly, or breezed out of play after getting caught in the wind. The Valley Parade pitch began to cut up, and the damage to the turf could remain visible and problematic during the rest of City’s season.

Both halves of this game followed a similar pattern. Stockport started each 45-minute period very strongly, pushing City back and threatening to live up to their lofty league position. Then City came back, enjoying spells of pressure and creating the better chances. Ultimately, it became increasingly scrappy. Each half slowly drifting into nothingness, as both sides prioritised not getting beaten over pushing for greater rewards.

In holding something back, Graham Alexander arguably disclosed his personal feelings on the limitations of the squad he has inherited. Other than introducing Vadaine Oliver midway through the second half, Alexander neglected to trust in his bench to try and give City an attacking initiative and turn one point into three. Since finding success with the 3-5-2 at the start of this unbeaten run, Alexander has made minimal starting XI changes. The underlying message in recent weeks has been the manager’s dislike in having such a large squad. In theory he has a strong hand of options to choose from, but evidently doesn’t like enough of what he has. The writing is on the wall for a lot of members of this squad.

There were two changes here, with Lewis Richards presumably injured and Emmanuel Osadebe demoted to the bench after blowing his Boxing Day chance to deputise for the crocked Jamie Walker. That meant a return for a fit-again Liam Ridehalgh and a starting berth reward for Clarke Oduor, following his strong impact from the bench against Morecambe. But the other nine starters – Harry Lewis, Brad Halliday, Matty Platt, Ciaran Kelly, Jon Tomkinson, Richie Smallwood, Alex Gilliead, Andy Cook and Tyler Smith – have earned the status of trusted Alexander lieutenants. In the second half the likes of Bobby Pointon, Matty Derbyshire, Kevin McDonald and Osadebe gamely warmed up, but Alexander saw greater merit in the tiring legs of his starters than giving any of the back-ups the chance to prove the match winner.

Given the don’t-get-beat priority, that’s fair enough. His dependables largely delivered a solid display. All three centre backs made mistakes in the tough conditions, but showed strong character to maintain their composure and remain strong. Smallwood excelled in the middle of the park and Gilliead characteristically ran himself into the ground chasing and harassing everything.

The issues lied in the lack of balance with the wing backs. While Richards is a player with limitations, his athleticism in getting up and down the pitch with the ball is something that Ridehalgh just cannot match. Get the ball to Ridehalgh out wide in the final third and his great crossing ability – compared to Richards – makes him a useful supply line. But working the ball around in a way that allows him to get into these positions is a lot harder.

Stockport would have quickly realised that the typically brilliant Halliday was the only City wing back who would run with the ball, and so worked hard to close down his space. They often succeeding in forcing the right back to play it into a congested middle of the park. And with it, the danger was usually snuffed out.

The targeting of Halliday ultimately led to City becoming exceptionally direct, which didn’t suit Smith or Oduor. The latter was involved in almost of all of City’s best attacking moments in both halves, and he has quality when the ball is at his feet. But Oduor’s influence was too sporadic. A player of promise, but who doesn’t quite suit this system. The jury is out on whether he can be entrusted with Walker’s role. And with the Scot set to be out for a few weeks, the hope has to be that Alex Pattison is fit enough to return soon.

Smith had a good chance just after the break, but it wasn’t a night where he was able to have enough influence. City were better for bringing on Oliver for Smith, and going big man-big man to spearhead the aerial approach. Oliver certainly made an impact and flicked one long ball into the path of Cook, who had the night’s best chance with a half volley effort brilliantly saved by Ben Hinchliffe.

That was one of only two shots on target all night. The other – for Stockport – had come very early doors during a goal mouth scramble. It was a curious display from County, with manager Dave Challinor making two changes at the break that also involved bringing on a big forward – Kyle Wootton – to play to the conditions. Where this seemed strange was Challinor withdrew their top scorer Isaac Olaofe to make room for Wootton. In the first half, Olaofe looked their biggest threat and showed some great intelligence sitting on Kelly when he worked out he wasn’t going to get any change out of Tomkinson. Perhaps Olaofe was injured, but his exit from the battle was certainly a boost for City.

Stockport showed glimpses of why they are on track to be League Two champions, but Alexander will be hugely encouraged by how well his side matched up to them. Something to build on, as the games keep coming thick and fast over January. A time where attention also turns to the transfer window and just how the club will reshape the squad.

Expect churn, as Alexander tries to trim the fat whilst no doubt wanting to bring in his own players to add to what he’ll see as missing. It seems inevitable Jake Young will be recalled as soon as the window opens – but there are strong rumours of League One and maybe even Championship interest in the EFL’s top scorer. Given Young can only play for one more club this season, City have a quick decision to make. If they want to cash in, Alexander can’t actually pick him. Do you take the money and use it upgrade on your transfer targets, or do you integrate the 16-goal man back into the squad?

We will soon know, but whatever moves the club plays over the next month, the mission has to still be to close that gap on the promotion frontrunners and make it into the top seven. There’s something symbolic about ending the calendar year playing Stockport, given both clubs’ defining moment in 2023 was a play off defeat at the hands of Carlisle United. But whereas as County have been able to harness last May’s heartbreak and mount an even stronger promotion push, City have suffered an almighty play off hangover and crawled their way through headaches and turmoil.

The Bantams end 2023 a sizeable 17 points adrift of their table-topping visitors – when they finished 2022/23 only three points short of County. Recent form gives renewed hope that 2024 might prove to be the year that a Bradford City promotion finally happens, but to go into January in 11th place – five points and six places worse off than they were after 24 games last season – underlines just how much ground there still is to make up.

This draw and performance is another small step in the right direction, for a club that needs to make some big strides over the second half of the 2023/24 season.

Categories: Match Reviews

Tags: 2023/24, BCAFC, League Two, Stockport County