| Wrexham 0 |
| Bradford City 1 |
| Cook 90 |
By Adam Raj
There’s no better way to win is there? Last minute, packed away end and in front of the Hollywood cameras – step forward Andy Cook. Who else? On his 150th Bradford City appearance, the man who is relied on to always be the difference, made the difference.
He didn’t make it easy though. In typical Bradford City fashion, I guess.
It was a surreal end to the game for Cook. He had seen his spot kick saved by Arsenal loanee Arthur Okwonkwo in the 83rd minute, having been pulled down in the box by Wrexham centre half Aaron Hayden. But what followed was a man on a mission. Suddenly the City number nine found a second wind, an extra yard of pace and a determination to make amends.
Persistence from Kevin McDonald to wrestle the ball away from Elliot Lee saw it fall to Cook who spun Ben Tozer and struck an effort towards goal. Okwonkwo was equal to it again but was powerless to the rebound falling perfectly for the Bantams’ striker to nod home in an empty net. Cue bedlam in the away end. Like actual bedlam.
This was the best away end I’ve been in for some time. The product on the pitch has been nothing short of appalling in recent weeks, and coupled with the rising off field tensions, following City on the road has been a miserable and toxic experience. And whilst those issues have not gone away by any stretch of the imagination, every supporter was united today in just parking that for a second, enjoying their day out and giving the team on the pitch as much backing as possible.
This was just Wrexham’s second home defeat of the season, and first since the opening day to Graham Alexander’s MK Dons. Let’s get it straight, their home record is phenomenal. Only five home defeats in 77 games, with the remaining majority being victories. Just this season, the Welsh side average three goals a game at home and haven’t failed to score in their last 51 home games. It is the level of home form that City need to aspire to have.
And you can see why they’re so strong. They line up with essentially five attackers and three defenders. Wingbacks James McLean and Ryan Barnett are traditional wingers to add to the more obvious front three of Lee, Steven Fletcher and Paul Mullin. In contrast, City’s wingbacks, Brad Halliday and Lewis Richards are very much defenders. You can see the stark difference when both sets of players enter the final third and have to make a decision. More times than not, the Wrexham duo made the right one.
It resulted in plenty of crosses being swung into the Bantams’ penalty area, some of decent quality. However, Fletcher’s first half effort which produced a good save from Sam Walker was the only one of note.
The makeup of the home side’s midfield allowed them to dominate possession, with Lee, Andy Cannon and George Evans being industrial but also very calm and composed in possession. In terms of momentum, it was largely one way traffic, with City being unable to muster much more than a few long range efforts in the first half. But for all their decent play, Wrexham didn’t really create anything clear cut. City managed to keep them at arm’s length.
Matty Platt survived an early booking to marshal Mullin and Fletcher expertly and as a unit, City’s defence stood up the pressure quite well. But in all fairness, the defence isn’t really an area of much concern. On the whole, City have been pretty good at the back. Of course there’s been some horror shows like MK Dons, Crawley and Notts County. But in the main, the Bantams have been a difficult side to score against.
It’s the other end of the pitch which continues to worry. For 83 minutes here, City didn’t create anything. Cook’s goal was very reminiscent of last season’s Andy Cook in that he created it for himself. In isolation, there are games that have to be won like that. But it does follow the trend of what we’ve seen over recent weeks at the top end of the pitch.
Tactically and in possession of the football, I’m not sure there’s a lot we can take from this game. However, it brings to an end City’s poor recent run and will hopefully serve as a boost of confidence that they desperately needed. It certainly makes a change for us supporters to be walking out with a smile on our faces.
Categories: Match Reviews
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Typical City! Lose to teams and then go and do this!
Hopefully, we can build on this and get some kind of run going. Hope springs eternal.
I expect nothing short of a onesided massacre. Once the team was announced, I posted a comment in the T&A echoing that. How wrong I was. City spent most of the match on the back foot. If you read the bbc stats, City had more shots on goal. Which was a surprise. I still feel there are still problems. One match does not mean a turnaround in form. Alexander still refuses to play Pointon. Instead, Oudour was called upon. He must really not rate the lad. At the end of the day, he won the match and I give him credit for that. Let us hope that this is the start of a positive run. The players put in a tough shift today and I believe they deserve the credit also. Well done City.
The shifting sands of fortune in football. Winless in 8 league games subtly shifts to a narrative of unbeaten in 3 back to back competitive matches- with 4 out of 6 points in the league. As you rightly say, we can’t suddenly assume everything is alright now (the giddy heights of…14th).
It occurred to me before this match though, that Alexander’s City got a record breaking 6 back to back wins, where they probably rode their luck) then 8 losses and draws where, at times, luck was against them Today’s call had a degree of fortune as to where the rebound went.
As you also say, though, they need to maximise the opportunity to shoot at goal with better approach.
Bradford City doing Bradford City things.
It would be fair to say these players have taken flack over recent weeks, but credit to each and everyone of them today.
Sam Walker deserves plaudits for his performace in goal, Nothing spectacular but did the basics right and thats now three clean sheets in a row for City in league and cup. It wasn’t pretty overall but we got effort, committment and it’s results like this that can turn a season. How many times have we been on the end of results like this at VP in recent seasons? It Was nice to dish it out for a change.
It’s been long time since we had a smile on our faces at 5 o’clock on a Saturday so lets enjoy this feeling and move onto Tuesday and try make it 2 wins out of 2.
I acknowledge a lot of work is still needed on the pitch and behind the scenes but it’s that feeling when cook bundles the ball home that makes us love the beautiful game
I think it’s fair to say one of the best games of this season in terms of the ending and how it came about!
For the many fans who travel home and away (appreciate not everybody can do that); this was a result that felt a long time in the making. I really hope we can follow up with a similar one at home for the thousands of Bradfordians who deserve a big win.
There aren’t many clubs who can perform so badly against teams who are struggling, and pick up results against the top sides dependent on what division we’re in. But, it’s forever been something we excel at, and I can never understand why. No matter the manager, the occasion, we always turn up when we need to.
I’m delighted for Cooky and very pleased for Walker (who was fantastic) and our defence. That’s the first time Wrexham haven’t scored at home since November 2021 – a huge achievement.
Like all of us, I’m sure, I really hope today represents the first steps of many in the right direction. Though it’s a very long road and I still think fundamentally there needs to be big change within the club and how it’s operating.
What I’m trying to say is while things haven’t been perfect off the field, all that we want as fans is the club to succeed and it’s great to see we did today. More of this, more results like that and perhaps we can begin to move forwards.
We’re always at our best when we’re all working together and we deserved that. It’s been a tough week but a good end offers some hope. Happy Saturday all!
Sounds like a load of rubbish from City apart from the goal. We did have 10 attempts though and 8 on target
Quite the opposite Gary, well at least insofar as the second half is concerned anyway. Yes, very much on the back foot and reliant on a sound defensive performance, (epitomised by Walker who dominated the box whilst under pressure from the predictable aerial bombardment) in the first half, but the second half was a different matter.
The enforced introduction of McDonald changed City’s ability to retain the ball and thus the momentum of the game. It was no coincidence either that it was Mac’s sheer tenacity that led to Cook gaining possession for the winner.
I’m a little bit more upbeat than Adam’s report would suggest, however……one swallow etc etc…..
I’ve watched the goal celebration 10 times, that’s a group of players working their hardest despite the gloom, the form, the league position, finally getting something to go their way.
Loved the celebration, loved all the team joining in, loved the passion.
Well done lads, well done
Agreed, these players have played under 4 different managers this season all with conflicting styles that’s the criticism with the lack of a plan. Football isn’t just putting the best 11 players on the pitch they do need to be coached and find balance.
In isolation there’s not many players I don’t think are good enough but we’ve lacked consistency and cohesion of style.
One interesting point is that we look to have a base to build from.
When Richards started in this team in the league we’ve won 6, drawn 5 and lost 2. Conceding 12 in the process, of which 7 were in 2 games. Another 5 wins in the cup too.
With Ridehalgh it reads, lost 9, drawn 4, won 3 conceding 23.
I’m neither trying to claim Richards is the second coming of Meredith or really criticise Ridehalgh. In many of those games Richards had a flying Walker while Ridehalgh was often playing with 3 different CBs. Starting Platt/Tomkinson/Kelly appears to work, as much as I like Stubbs.
However, I do think to play LWB you need athleticism and if Richards isn’t fit, Gilli has to play there and pair McDonald and Smallwood in midfield. No matter how well Gilli/Smallwood have played looks increasingly important to play McDonald alongside one of them – to give that balance – as he can use the ball better. Needed even more in the absence of Walker.
If we start with that solid base we are always going to have a chance in games especially with Andy Cook. If we can find the right recipe between Cook/Young/Wright/Chapman/Pointon/Kavanagh you would think we will do OK.
I agree with a lot of what you say. If we are relying on the wingback for a lot of our attacking threat then they have to have some pace and be fit.
Are we now confident that the defence has the right balance of height/ pace/ skill/ attitude?
Do we need to cover in central midfield? Would there be a place for East in this squad.
I should think we have enough forward depth with Cook/Young/Wright/Chapman /Pointon/Kav.
Really not sure what to make of Cook and wonder if he would be better as an impact player.
Nothing in football beats a late winner. Let’s enjoy the win in and of itself. It is a real confidence boost to everyone with the club at heart. Maybe on Monday it’s time to talk about doing it again. But today just enjoy the highlights and the star man’s goal celebration. Well done, Andy, lad! That goal was one of your best. The spin and turn …control and determination …. the balance and composure … wow!
What a goal! Nobody scores from there. Back to goal, nothing really on, three players round you, having just missed a penalty. But somehow Andy cooked something up for us, from no ingredients! (sorry)
Thank goodness for a result which calms things down a bit. 52 comments after Swindon game, 51 after Wimbledon. Just 9 the day after a greatly unexpected win. Yes we’ve got issues, yes results and performances have been poor for a few weeks so it’s just nice to see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel. Wright, Walker, Young and Pattison might help things shine a bit brighter.
I’m happy.
I’m clapping.
It’s a good state to be in.
Yeah Ian that’s the first thing I noticed too. Endless comments when we lose but much fewer when we win – quite bizzare! The boys did great and stood up to Wrexham throughout the game. I read somewhere some home fan claiming Wrexham were playing Parkie Hoofball – well that wasn’t what I saw. They played slick passing football and City did very well to contain them and keep them at arms length. Yes it was a smash and grab win but hey ho as that happens to us too. Sam Walker did a fantastic job in goal and exactly what is being asked of him – well done! But Mr Cook I genuinely applaud you as you’ve just missed a penalty and could be forgiven for letting your head drop but oh no – you get the red mist and only a goal is going to do! Brilliant! Agree with Mega Ellis – that goal celebration was a truly wonderful moment and looked to me like a team together!! Hopefully we can roll on from here but I’m not getting carried away. One game at a time but credit where it’s due on a nice win!
What an unexpected win, well done City. Now onwards to MK Dons who we need to win on Tuesday. Otherwise the Wrexham result will mean nothing.
Not being rude about Platt, but how hard would it have been to marshall Mullen, who seemed to to be on the floor the whole game, bloody cheat.
Would not want to be a subscriber to the next Wrexham Disney Documentary.
It will be very short.
Most of the recent games will end up on the cutting room floor.
One quick point from me: I noticed we played the ball a lot more on the deck compared to recent home games. Yes there were times when it was played long but that didn’t seem like the default option as it has been previously.
In the run of wins we had post Notts County we weren’t accused of being “long-ball” and I’m wondering if the switch to long ball, particularly at home, is driven by the poor state of the pitch at VP?
If we go long again tomorrow against Franchise Dons then maybe we have an answer?
Regardless, it’s not controversial to say we play better when we pass it a bit. I don’t want to go back to the Hughes era of possession at all costs (I still have nightmares of the 350 odd passes just between Platt and Stubbs against Barrow at home last season in the 0-1 defeat) but at least mix it up a bit and play with pace and purpose, dare I say it, like a Parky team.
Great win, a big win given Wrexham’s home record. Seems that their manager and fans need a lesson in humility, though. Need to show the class their owner showed.