| Grimsby Town 1 |
| Thompson 55 |
| Bradford City 1 |
| Smallwood 90+3 (pen) |
By Adam Raj
Let’s start with the positives shall we? We didn’t lose. And that’s probably it.
It was an afternoon that threw up more questions than answers as to whether Graham Alexander should be the man to lead Bradford City next season. Alexander was probably the most relieved man in Grimsby when Richie Smallwood’s 93rd minute penalty hit the back of the net – avoiding defeat in the last minute probably saved him from much more stick than he’s getting.
After a positive and promising display in the second half against Tranmere at Valley Parade, today’s fixture was anything but. A return to the boring, ugly and downright ineffective style of football was the order of the day against relegation threatened Grimsby Town. In fact, you’d probably have to say that under Alexander, performances like today have been more the norm as opposed to Good Friday’s performance and that infamous Wycombe game, which seem like the anomalies.
Unable to resist the urge to tinker with the team from the previous outing, Alexander made one change, with Jonathan Tomkinson replacing Jamie Walker – Daniel Oyegoke moving into midfield. Yes, that was six defenders and a defensive midfielder in Smallwood lining up against a side fourth from bottom in the EFL.
“We were quite a small team on Friday and we knew Grimsby had a long-throw, they’ll put a lot of set pieces in” explained Alexander. It’s not the most encouraging sign to see a tactical decision that significantly negates our attacking threat in favour of trying to nullify the opposition in a dead rubber game. Of course, not for a second am I saying that you should play the same way and with the same team in every game you play. But come on, our season is done. Have a go, play the flair players, entertain the fans and score some goals. If it’s safety first in this sort of game then that doesn’t bode very well.
Predictably, City’s attacking play suffered as a result. Callum Kavanagh, Tyler Smith and Bobby Pointon were never really in a game that saw the ball launched at their heads as opposed to being played into their feet. It really was a bizarre tactic. Smith has never been a target man and up against three 6ft+ centre halves, he wasn’t going to start being one today.
Having said that, Smith’s customary missed sitter today came in the way of a free header. Kavanagh’s cross from the right saw the City striker head straight at substitute keeper Jake Eastwood, when he really should’ve scored. Smith’s movement to constantly find himself in goalscoring positions should be lauded but his finishing is really poor for the quality of chances he gets.
But until the 93rd minute, that was as good as it got. Grimsby were no better and contributed their fair share to a truly abysmal game of football. But 55 minutes in and they took the lead. Kavanagh only half cleared a corner to the edge of the box where Curtis Thompson’s strike was deflected into the top corner by Ciaran Kelly.
Alexander’s response was to bring on Jamie Walker but not to play with Pointon and Kavanagh, but to replace the City academy product. Pointon didn’t have a great game here by any means but it does seem that Alexander just doesn’t fancy him. It took so long for him to be given an opportunity in the first place only for him to be hooked at the earliest opportunity. And this isn’t the first time either.
After Pointon’s MOTM performance at Pride Park in the EFL Trophy fixture in January, Alexander had no option but to start him in the next outing away at Colchester. And in similar fashion, he was hooked after 68 minutes, not to start another game in nearly three months. It is curious as to why more patience is afforded to other players who are routinely under par with their performances, but it’s a different rule for Pointon.
Still, if you ever needed a reason as to why Grimsby were in a relegation battle, then step forward Denver Hume. The Mariners left back with a scandalous piece of defending as he allowed Brad Halliday to get in behind before hauling him to the floor as the City number two was about to tap home Tyreik Wright’s deflected cross. Penalty, red card, 1-1, game over.
A draw was probably fair, although I can’t say City deserved a point from that game, more so they didn’t deserve to win it. A more appropriate outcome would’ve been both teams getting nothing.
And that brings us back to Alexander. He’s quite fortunate in a way that fan angst is directed at Ryan Sparks and Stefan Rupp, because in other circumstances, he’d be on very fine ice. I was never for his appointment in the first place, primarily because this turgid brand of football is what he is very well known for. In my opinion he is yesterday’s man, football has moved on and we needed to as well. I’m trying to like him, I really am, but he’s making it nearly impossible.
There’s no reason to believe his style will change next season and the idea of watching 46 games of that is not appealing in the slightest. The comparisons to Phil Parkinson’s first season at Valley Parade have been used as an indicator to show that sticking with a manager through difficult times can yield future success. Parkinson finished 18th in his first season with some truly awful games of football and a squad that I’m sure most would agree was significantly worse than the current one. His remit was to keep City in the Football League. He achieved it.
In comparison, Alexander is delivering similarly awful games of football and will achieve a similar lower mid table finish. But when he was appointed, Alexander’s remit was to get City in the top seven and he’s failed. So whilst I do understand the comparisons, I think there are fundamental differences to make that particular comparison redundant.
I don’t for a second expect Alexander to be relieved of his duties this season, but with the rumoured imminent appointment of a Director of Football, it is most tempting to start afresh – players and management.
Categories: Match Reviews
widthofapost.com 
I agree that both teams deserved nothing. I disagree that this game didn’t produce the answers, as quite clearly after umpteen games Alexander is completely clueless. If you disagree I can only assume you don’t watch.
How can you take out the link between defence and attack, your best player, to pick someone because they’re tall and Grimsby have a long throw?They’re rubbish and they’re down near the foot of the table for a reason but City, who had to win to maintain the slimmest of hopes, play 6 defenders and lump it to the 3 small forwards.
The irony of the last 15mins where we suddenly had Walker linking the play up and feeding Chapman with Oduor and Wright too – and funnily enough we were totally dominant.
Sparks/Rupp – you simply cannot let Alexander oversee the summer. He’s about as effective as the anti dog fouling policy in the neighbouring Grimsby Town streets and doesn’t deserve a moment longer in the job.
A talented, if imbalanced, squad but above all a season totally wasted.
Please get rid of him so I can have some hope for next season.
I agree your and the articles concerns with Alexander. However this is not a talented squad. The table isn’t lying. Very few of these players are promotion challenging talent. From Smith, onwards there is just no where near good enough. some of the ‘hope’ on someone like Kavanagh is really blind fath at the minute. (BTW he could barely control the ball today). He’s a youth player learning.
each time there has been a key player injury e.g. walker, platt, a one time 36 player squad has struggled to cover it.
Odour, Ogeyoke, Smith, Richards, Kavanagh, amongst others not playing and some whom the jury is out on are not promotion challenging players.
it’s simply untrue imo to say that this is a “talented squad”.
IMO.
look at that bench - Walker, Chapman, Oduor, Wright. Stronger than the starting line up because Alexander does not like flair. He does not like players who hold on to the ball and run at players like Chapman, or for that matter Pointon. And noone could control the ball, the pitch may have had grass on it but it was very uneven. Hoof it and chase it.
Rob,
I totally agree that there were better more proven players on the bench. However yo say this squad is talented simply isn’t true. The league table and performances are not lying. Facts over opinion.
you have hit the nail on the head he completely clueless he couldn’t manage a bath never mind a football⚽ team
lost the plot if he had one.negative footy! Must start again.city fans love attacking football.bcfc.
Spot on report
Graham Alexander needs to go. He came into the club stating that he was very happy with the squad but he would like to reduce numbers. He did not once mention bringing his own players in and the approach in January was not to rebuild(he will have been involved in this decision). Therefore he has a squad that he is happy with (maybe too much resource at his disposal due to the numbers). He has had long enough to learn, motivate and improve the team.
What he has have delivered is a bottom half finish, a decline in individual performances, dire tactics, a significant reduction in match day attendance, players being played out of position, too much tinkering, he does not know his strongest 11 and a style that does not suit the squad he was happy with. He must go or we will be in a relegation scrap next season. His post match interviews are terrible and provide no assurance that he has a plan or knows what he is doing. He is stealing a wage and the club must act. The Tranmere game provided false hope, they were terrible and we won’t play teams of such a low standard on a regular basis. Forest Green at home and Grimsby away – both teams in the relegation dog fight who we failed to beat, notts county at home (bottom of form table) we lose too- this is the norm, this is where we are, this is a true reflection of what Alexander is delivering.
Whilst GA and Gent are in post, their is no point investing any money into the club as we will waste the money as we have no plan, direction or identity. This time last season whilst we under achieved, we had a foundation, to deliver success it needed to be tweaked and improved, not ripped up and ruined. How has it gone so horribly wrong??
Tranmere recently beat both Stockport and Wrexham. Let’s be magnanimous enough to praise a good performance when we produce one.
There is no way that he could have brought lots of the players he wanted, as the squad was too big. What would you have done? Brought another ten new players in and sacked another ten? Or just had us with 40 players on the book?
As I pointed out months ago, the minute we sacked Hughes we were doomed to another season in L2 – as no L2 team have got promoted after replacing a sacked manager in at least ten seasons.
The fault here is the constant changing of managers. Some of the players are on their fourth one in just over two years.
But yes. Let’s blame yet another manager.
He has shown nothing though.
Today he changes the team after a decent performance because they have “a long throw”. His words. I’ve just listened to the radio fans forum and Mark Bower, a great orator and summarise btw, was bemused by this excuse to bench Walker.
He has constantly tinkered with the team.
but after saying he likes 2 forwards and to attack, today suggests he’s actually lying imo. He had nothing to lose and the post sums it up.
5 months in and I’ve rarely seen an enjoyable game. And he has failed in his own remit.
I have only wanted Taylor gone tbh in this manager merry go round but Alexander is seriously concerning in his approach to games, his tinkering, his loyalty to undelivering players, negativity to games and his often bizarre explanations.
He wanted the numbers reducing he was happy with the squad, he has failed.
Our forward players would get in most teams, chapman cook walker wright would be starters in 90% of league 2 sides. We have good players who are being mis managed.
And you said that on Friday did you?
Chapman and walker would be starters in most teams?What is that based on, its certainly not on their time at City.
“Turgid”
I’m afraid Alexander still does not know his best team after 5 months and his standard of football is poor. Unfortunately I do not trust Graham to recruit well this summer based upon some of his strange interviews and reasoning post match. I would sack him before the end of the season.
Maybe he does and it includes Young, Pattison, Jamie Walker (when fully match fit), Gilliead, Stubbs and Cook. Would it not be fairer to judge him when he has access to ALL the players in the squad together with any new recruits in the Summer?
A good & honest report again Adam, like you I don’t think GA is the man to take us forward. Maybe he’ll be gone as soon as the season is over? Surely Sparks isn’t blind and deaf, he must see the awful football being played. The only saving grace with today’s game was, I was busy, forgot it was an early KO and even missed it on ifollow! #result all around
Every cloud!
Didn’t get to the game or watch on i follow ,relying on friends to keep me updated . The first sign of trouble was Walker on the bench ,what the hell is he doing i asked the group ,. Remember when Alexander came and said he doesn’t like to change a winning team !
Everyone can see the dynamic between Walker and Pointon they always play well together . We will lose Pointon if Alexander remains. Tomkinson in for Oyegoke yes , but leaving probably your most talented player on the bench in Walker ? ? Sorry for me , Alexander has to go . Got found out at MK getting found out here.
The first sign of trouble was Walker on the bench ,what the hell is he doing i asked the group ,. Remember when Alexander came and said he doesn’t like to change a winning team !
that’s because the team are unfit
That was truly awful to watch! Chewing gum for my bloody eyes! Sorry GA but you are fast losing the faith of the fans and that only ends one way. Being honest, in the end I wanted Grimsby to win as they’re the best pick from the bottom teams trying to stay up. How bad is that for wanting the other team to win?? Sums up how I feel and this season just can’t end fast enough now! Time to let everyone go on holiday with my fingers crossed that a lot of them forget to come back to BD8!!
The implication, led by Adam – WOAP’s very own answer to Citizen Smith (brilliant early 80’s comedy starring Robert Lindsay) that sacking GA and employing our, what will it be, 12th manager in just over 6 years would be hilarious – if it didn’t make us the joke club of the football league.
I’d genuinely love to know what the fans wanting rid of GA after just 5 months in charge and just the three signings (two of which have turned out to be good – the other, Wright, not a disaster) made of Parkinson’s 2011/12 season.
Let’s remember he took us from 7th bottom, to er, 7th bottom.
Please please be honest enough to admit that you were one of those calling for Parky to go exactly 12 years ago and then 5 years later idolised him as some kind of god. And please explain why the support of him during his tough times (at least four spells) which gave us our best period this century, apparently is now redundant as we seek to be the Watford of the lower leagues.
It’s deliciously ironic as I was one of those defending Parky and getting the usual ‘happy clappy’ comments – which apparently I must be, simply for suggesting that GA must at least be given a summer transfer window.
We’ve already hounded out the previous two!!
Adams, a seasoned L2 promotion winner sacked after daring to suggest that he might know more than the fans. His history shows he takes two seasons to get a team promoted – but we sack him after just over half a season.
Hughes sacked after our highest L2 points haul since the debut season of three points for a win. Now I kind of supported that, simply because of his numbskull tearing up of last seasons system. But doesn’t he deserve the same kind of support that Nigel Clough got at Mansfield at a similar time in 2022?
We’re all over the place as fans. Some on here (which is one of the more moderate boards) would have a new manager every two month.
I just hope that Sparks isn’t his normal yellow livered self – and ignores those thinking that a new manager is the solution.
Just to pick you up on one point, Alexander won’t have been responsible for those three signings. We know Walker was a Colin Doyle recommendation, and Kavanagh was clearly a Stephen Gent recommendation. Tyreik Wright almost definitely Gent too. Certainly wasn’t Alexander.
So if the players work out it’s nothing to do with GA?
But if they don’t, presumably it is?
I mean I thought Gent was the problem? But clearly, during his two seasons, he’s found more decent players than some on here want to give him credit for.
Given that the January window, was a qualified success, i.e. money for Lewis and Osadebe (amazingly) good signings in Kavanagh and Walker – maybe if we allow Gent and GA to work in the summer, we might get the positive tweaks needed and have a far better season.
If someone can point out where constantly sacking managers work, I’ll be happy to agree.
I was just correcting you on one point. I don’t especially want to argue with you, but please can I advise you that instead of angrily telling people they are wrong, why not provide constructive points to support your viewpoint? Say why Alexander deserves to remain as manager rather than having a go at people who want him sacked.
For me personally, I don’t think Alexander deserves the sack but I really fear we are going to repeat the Hughes situation and sack Alexander in September/October, and write off another season. So I have sympathy for people arguing we should change managers now, rather than continue down a route that looks doomed to fail.
Jason
I’ve made points to support my view.
I cited the example of Parkinson, as a manager given time.
We could go back to Paul Jewell. It’s around this time in 1998 we got tonked 5-0 by Crewe and everyone asking why Richmond had given him the job. But he was given time.
Klopp was getting openly questioned by Liverpool fans after his first year – never mind five months. Pep looked a little bit lost around Christmas of his first season.
I really don’t get why fans think not giving a manager a fair chance is the solution – when we’ve plenty of evidence to show that it simply doesn’t work.
I don’t get why you think it’s acceptable that anger is projected at GA. Frankly it comes across as bullying to me. Shouldn’t we also have sympathy for a manager with just 5 months in the job?
You’re a reasonable person Jason. Please educate me as to why fans were more patient with Parkinson after 7 months in the job than they are now with GA who’s been with us for less time and also couldn’t bring any players in initially (like Parkinson did).
All I’m suggesting is let’s try the approach that worked for Parkinson here and Nigel Clough at Mansfield. And that’s time to build their own squad and then let it grow and understand that there will be dips along the way.
Morning.
So my point is that whilst I admire your position and want to defend Alexander, the tone of how you come across is attacking other people and saying they’re wrong. You might not mean it that way, but that’s how it comes across.
I was trying to offer constructive advice and apologises if you’ve taken my clumsy attempts the wrong way. I think when people have a view (eg sack Alexander) being told they’re wrong to feel that way isn’t going to win hearts and minds. It reminds me of the lad who does Lower League Look and dresses as Billy Bantam on matchday. Every time we lose he has a go at fans. He wants to defend the club, which is great and fair dos, but instead of putting forward constructive arguments he just has a go at supporters. It doesn’t win people over.
As I’ve said, I don’t have a strong view on keeping or sacking Alexander. I wrote in my January Salford match report he looks doomed to fail and I stand by that. It’s great you back him, and it would be brilliant to hear reasons why you think he is doing a good job and why he deserves to keep it. I’d be more than happy to publish an article on it too if that helps. I just think offering up good arguments and hope would stand a better chance of winning people around than saying they’re wrong.
Hope that makes sense.
For what it’s worth, I agree with Adam’s match report comments on the PP first season comparison not being accurate. It’s a very different situation and that’s why supporters in the main stuck with PP then. I would also add in that the football PP played that season was better, and we also had a very strong home record over the second half of the season, which helped him keep his public on side. Ultimately expectations were a lot lower then than they are now. That helped PP to build.
Thanks as ever.
Jason
Thanks for the reply and clarifications Jason. I felt the need to reply, because there are also misunderstanding about what I wrote.
I’m not defending GA. I’m defending any managers right to be given time.
And it’s based on cold logic, not emotion. Not giving them time doesn’t work.
I’ve no idea if GA is the right person any more than I have any managers who we’ve appointed and not given a summer transfer window to. I was merely ‘OK” with the appointment. The least enthusiastic since McCall’s 2020 reappointment.
All I know is that in L2, for the past 10 years or so it’s a significant fact that every club that has got promoted has had their manager in place months before the start of the pre-season, some the best part of a season and a few two or three or more (Exeter).
Only Bolton, under their current manager, have bucked that trend, he was appointed during pre-season. Significantly, even though that was as early as 1st July (2020) it didn’t stop them having a terrible start to the season.
Sparks shows that he clearly doesn’t know any of this. Which is why criticism of him and hence the ownership about managerial appointments is spot on.
Note also, that the managers at Crawley, Crewe and Wimbledon hardly covered themselves in glory last season – but are having far better seasons this time. Barrow improve each year. Mansfield of course are another good example. There has to be something in this.
Ironically, given it was the club that sacked GA, MK Dons could be the first to appoint during the season and go up.
But it’s time we looked at the facts of what works in League 2 – as opposed to (and I don’t mean to insult anyone when I say this) thinking that we’re a big club and so those ‘rules’ don’t apply to us.
Finally, to answer some who say what if we have a bad start next season – we simply do what the Mansfield owner did in Autumn 2022 and even Stockport did this season (some fans were wanting Challinor out) and that’s back the manager.
Spot On banbroview – “angrily telling people they are wrong?”, Sorry Jason Mr I “know it all about football” and BCFC WOAP. I’m increasingly tired of your “I’m the man,” I know what’s what! Anyone who disagrees with you is shot down, yet they tend to be far more aware of reality than you and have probably seen far more City games than you. Spit your dummy out again if you want, but if you’re gonna put yourself forward as the one who “knows” then be balanced and accept criticism! You don’t especially want to argue then you do?
You write this stuff so expect to be criticised or don’t. bother. Of course you are entitled to an opinion but do not tell me what I know and don’t because frankly my own judgement is better than yours
What a ridiculous comment. The only thing offered in Jason’s comment, note he didn’t write the article, IS balance. Getting tired of reading it – well don’t read it then!
If you read all this thread, you’ll see that emotions are a bit raw with us all!!
Sadly, that’s what literally 7 years (with one good year thrown in) of terrible footie has done to us all.
NEWS FLASH! If you don’t like what Jason writes then here’s an idea to conjure with – don’t read it.
“Alexander is completely clueless. If you disagree I can only assume you don’t watch”. You said that I believe. I do watch . What utter crap. Read his record as a manager. Moan moan moan. Turgid. Get realistic. After all that’s been allowed to pass at this club who on earth would want to pick up the poisoned chalice of so called supporters like your good self?
BTW, if WOAP choses to put itself in the spotlight of supporters who first went in 1966 then I will read it if I choose, criticise when I want and applaud too if it’s justified. In this case I disagree and resent your condescending retort.
Can we block this fella. He’d probably argue with himself if in a room alone. Clearly needs to seek help. Urgently.
Harry Please tell me where you sit. in the ground, I am happy to discusses this with you face to face because you are clearly talking out of you arse. Similarly I am happy to chew the fat with Rob or Chris Smith as well who are equally daft. I clearly needs to seek help. Urgently.
it says in the post the remote for the manager.
Parkinson took over just when our leaderships tactics changed from memory and the cheap season tickets and promotion idea occurred. After staying up he assembled a better quality squad. A forward l8ne he inherited that was the best in the league has it turned out. The only manager who can say that since is Bowyer and he wansted it. We can also argue that even with a squad that easily is of a better standard than this seasons and even last seasons finished 7th due to Exeter totally imploding.
The thing is ino. Bradford fans traditionally want to see attacking football. If we lose its pap but we take it better when we’ve had a go. Even one of Hughes games got applauded off after a defeat I remember.
Today Alexander went negative in a game he had nothing to lose. What happens if he does have a game you need to win?
I can not believe that you are comparing Alexander to Parkinson, you are insulting Phil Parkinson.
the squad Phil inherited was shocking this one isn’t. Phil new his strongest team and had a plan, Alexander doesn’t.
Life is strange isn’t it?
I was one of those defending Parkinson, when he had exactly the same accusations at the time.
That was because during his first season, around this time, he’d also just lost five matches and drawn just the one.
Which left us 21st.
So far in 2012, up to the end of March we’d had the three wins.
I repeat I backed Phil, but whatever plan he had wasn’t working.
Maybe for the attritional horrible division that is L2, it takes a lot of time for managers to know which players are best for the relevant positions – otherwise why does no team get promoted when they re-appoint after the season has started?
The squad wasn’t as good, but we did have Hanson, Wells and Reid – all of which would go on to do well in L1 and in Wells case at an even higher level.
That season we had a good April and went on a bit of a winning streak, which was needed to ward off any threat of relegation and so those wanting him out calmed down.
Let’s also remember that Alexander’s Scunthorpe team, competed well with our team both under Parky and McCall, i.e. 2015-17. Plus he has promotions with both Fleetwood and Salford. So it’s a bit disrespectful, to him, to say that we can’t compare the two managers.
Significantly his start at Fleetwood was very similar to what’s going on now. But he did take them up the following season.
The Parkinson-Alexander comparison is a fair one to make but there are a couple of obvious points to this.
The squad that Alexander inherited is far better than the one Parkinson took on (and you seem to rate some of Gent’s signings fair higher than I do).
And the two remits are different. Hughes was sacked because he was failing in his brief which was to get us promoted (or reasonably close to it). He was sacked because we were 18th after 11 games (with 3 wins). Today Alexander has us in 14th (and it’s not unrealistic that we will finish 18th). Under Parkinson’s first few months, no one was talking about us going up (he just had to keep us up).
In his first season (taking over from Jackson), we saw some encouraging signs. The defence tightened up significantly. This was before transfer windows – so he had more freedom to move players around – but he signed Ravenhill, Duke, Seip, Will Atkinson, Andrew Davies and Kyel Reid. Alexander has been hampered by inheriting a flabby squad with obvious deficiencies, but he also didn’t play his cards well in January. (And maybe this was Gent, I don’t know). We were crying out for a better left back/wing back option and he didn’t get anyone in. He ships out Oliver (fair enough) but then seemingly plays a style that would really suit Oliver (and not his replacement, Tyreik Wright). And I haven’t seen a level of consistency or backbone in the performances to suggest that there is change going on under the surface.
Coming to the end of the season, it’s a time for appraising how things have gone. Based on any score and given the task that Alexander was set, he has failed this year. He’s also failed in a manner that doesn’t curry favour with supporters (the style of play, the treatment of some players).
If we’re talking about new brooms and the like, it’s right to think “Is Alexander still the right person to do this job? Does he fit the new system we want to introduce?” Or, do we thank him, draw a line under this season and start next season afresh as many teams will be doing, giving the new Director of Football the remit to reform the whole football operation.
It’s not an easy decision; I think on balance I would keep Alexander for the benefits of continuity and in the hope that there has been more progress off the pitch than we have seen on it. But I’m only 70-30 in that view, and if I was forced to bet then it wouldn’t be on City to get promoted next season under Alexander.
(I didn’t want Alexander in the first place, he was the wrong appointment because he didn’t suit the players we had in the squad. There was never any question that he wouldn’t get this squad promoted this season. But he’s the man they chose and he’s the man currently in the hot seat).
But let’s also be mature and honest about this, it’s not a clear cut decision. I’ve said this every time there’s a manager under pressure; we should not let past decisions unduly influence the current. Just because we don’t want to be a ‘sacking club’ we shouldn’t keep a manager who is either not right or not up to the job. Giving a manager time is only a virtue if you have the right manager and he’s worth giving time too.
Great comments.
As I’ve said several times on social media, I’m not 100% convinced with GA, but also think his record is pretty good at this level.
I do think the style he wants us to play looks fine – as we saw with the MK Dons, Wycombe and Tranmere performances. But we have a finite bunch of players who can do this.
Significantly, two of these victories was without Cook. I’ve a nasty feeling that whichever manager we have, they might think that, like Nigel Clough, that whilst Cook is great – the effect he has on what those around him do with the ball, perhaps isn’t.
You’re correct there is no clear cut decision or easy answers.
In response to Banbroview’s comment about the signifance of 2 of our good performances coming without Cook, are we just going to ignore the 3 nil win at Accrington where Cook played? And what about the 3-1 away win at Doncaster where again Cook played? Not to mention the 2-0 win at Gillingham? On the 4 occasions (forest green away as well) under Alexander where we’ve scored 3 or more in the league Cook has played. Coincidence? I think not
Mark
I was careful to emphasise that this has nothing to do with Cook’s ability.
Unfortunately when you have a big target man in L2, players play in a more limited fashion. It’s why Clough was happy for him to leave Mansfield.
As you’ve pointed out we’ve done fine with him in the team. But then again, we also often look clueless if he’s been well marked.
It’s another perplexing talking point.
Thanks for the response. I just think we should be doing everything we can to make the team work with Cook in it. Goalscorers don’t grow on trees (he also has another 2 years under contract) and I’ve seen a lot say on social media that we should cast him aside. Alexander needs to be working on getting the rest of the team to stop just launching it at him. Last season showed just how good he can be when he gets the right service
banbroview
unbelievable hypocrisy from you. On the t and a forums you have spent countless posts telling everyone that they are wrong and that teams need to play “pragmatic”, Stevenage type football. And that teams playing ‘football ‘ don’t go up in this division. I pointed out the many teams that have and Mansfield , a team you often cite re: Clough are indeed currently doing. indeed I pointed out to you the season when all 3 promoted teams played decent football too, Plymouth crewe and Swindon I think from the top of my head.
now here you are on this site citing games where we played ‘decent football and dismissing Cook and the so called ‘ big man’.
what an absolute hypocrite you are. Its bordering on trolling.
Sad to see such a pathetic response to something adding to a discussion about a club I love, I have no idea where you stand but I have 55+ years of experience.
Who the hell do you think you are Harry? There is no room on any level for you take your attitude without explanation. I sit with so many who have supported – yes supported – through thick and thin who are of the same voice,
To suggest “Alexander is completely clueless. If you disagree I can only assume you don’t watch” is simply ridiculous, ignorant and stupid.
I have little time for foolish and unwelcomed comments like yours which ignore all the experiences me and my colleagues have shared over years of watching this club, please grow up and cease being so belligerent. You need to be better than that and raise above such comments. When I no longer go to VP I will undoubtedly have been so many more times the you , home and away and I have every right to an opinion even if you sarcastically disagree
Alexander has to be let go. In all walks of life, especially in sport, the role of the manager is to assess the strengths of the team and come up with a system that compliments these attributes. We have Cook, one of the most clinical strikers in the league, if not the, who thrives off crosses both with his head and feet. We have skilful, pacy wingers in Chapman, Wright and Oduor who love to take the man on and either whip in a cross or get a shot off and we’ve got Smallwood who loves to ping balls out to the wingers. I feel sorry for Smallwood, he gets the ball looks up for an outlet and there’s no one there because the system we play has no attacking wide players.
Our team is set up brilliantly to play 433/4231 with Chapman and Wright on the wings and Walker, Smallwood, Pointon/Gilliead in the middle. Yet we persist with playing 5 at the back. It’s nonsense to suggest we are too defensively weak to play 4 at the back. We played it last year with pretty much the same personnel and were defensively one of the strongest in the league. The best way to defend is to attack yet we play with no attackers.
The stubbornness to set up in a way that isn’t working is quite amazing. Everything suggests he’s inept. We have got good players and this season has been a series of mismanagement. Moving away from 4231 to 352 when the squad isn’t suited to it has just caused a constant stream of rubbish all season and it needs to be stopped.
Alexander cannot be left with recruitment and releasing of players. We are seriously in danger of letting extremely good players such as Chapman go and bringing in lads who lack ability but can run and hoof it. The cycle could kick in again and leave us much poorer.
The recent open letter from Rupp offered some hope for next season, however it would be even better if Alexander was to leave. Get him gone and get a manager who is willing to play positive attacking football that will inspire us on the sides. We really aren’t far away, a few quality additions on the current squad and we’ll be competing right at the top end. We just need a manager who can play positive attacking football.
We have seen enough of this management team to show they are not the fit for City . Need a new coach.
if the rumours are true that Paul Jewell is going to become our new director of football, wasn’t he supposed to have also been involved in the recruitment of Graham Alexander?? If so couldn’t that lead to embarrassment if sparks sacked Alexander who Jewell must have thought was the best man for the job??.
Obviously all the rumours could be wrong but if Jewell was involved in signing Alexander and he is going to become our DOF I doubt he will be going anywhere anytime soon.
If Paul Jewell was involved in the recruitment of Alexander, God forbid he becomes our DoF.
How Banbroview can spend so much time defending this set of losers, is beyond me.
I have seen nothing to suggest I’ll be returning to VP anytime soon. They really aren’t worth the effort, time or money.
The hot topic of debate continues to cause concern at city and that’s recruitment.
With regards to Alexander i’m split on whether he stays or goes. I personally find him very cold and not a great man manager. I look at players like Pointon, Smith, Odour who all show great potential but i don’t feel they get the off-field support. McCall was a brilliant man manager and believe that’s why he’s so valued as a number 2 at the clubs he’s been at for his management skills.
With regards to recruitment what’s cost us this season in my opinion is the decision to play 3 at the back. Whether it was Gent’s Hughes or Sparks decision, We simply did not have the players to play that way. After coming so close in the play-offs it felt like we ripped up the squad and started again instead of taking an approach like Stockport and Mansfield which was continuality and build with what we had. We have a squad overloaded with Attacking midfields in Odour, Walker, Pointon, Pattison but have no natural width or wing backs. We simply don’t have a squad that is able to play 3 at the back effectively for a prolonged period of games.
This ultimately is where the concern now lies. Do we recruit to continue playing 3 at the back or do we move to a traditional 4 next season. Either way we have to get it right next season.
I personally would only replace Alexander if we line someone up. Can not go through the sacking stage and waiting to appoint a manager. If the club identified a coach i.e Tom Cleverley if Watford choose not to appoint him full time i’d be happy with that kind of approach for a change of manager
It’s gonna be an interesting time over the next 2 months. Now the play-offs are done with expecting a few announcements pretty soon
This is the problem, nearly everyone on this board wants GA gone but no one has put forward a replacement. We cannot be giving someone like Cleverley his first gig as manager, we do no have the patience here to let someone learn on the job. We want out of this league ,immediate success. We need people that have been there and done it, although we’ve already rifled through a few of those.
Where would we be now if we had appointed Steve Evans??
Love or hate him his track record speaks for it self.
He can work on a budget and his teams are always tough to play but happy clappers don’t want him because of allegations.
I’d take him in a heartbeat
I don’t agree necessarily with the ‘been there and done it’ replacement, especially considering Alexander falls under that category, along with Del boy. Both have gone down worse with the fanbase than the majority of other managers in recent years.
If the club would’ve had the foresight to headhunt Williamson from Gateshead at the time who were playing a more direct, freescoring form of Hughes style at the start of this season, things may have panned out differently. I for one, would love to see a progressive, hungry coach with a style fans would be happy with even if form dips, such as Williamson. Quite ironic MK Dons sacked GA to adopt this approach.
Another would’ve been Rob Edwards, who FGR took a chance on and is now managing in the prem. Think we need to show some ambition!
Spot on that point Joe.
If GA does go then who would want to come here? You have at maximum a season and a half to deliver the instant success or else you’re off to the job centre. Are we as fans in this instant demanding world unwilling to be patient? If you was looking for a job then you’d certainly think twice about applying. Did Mr Cowley really turn it down because he didn’t want to move up north or was he put off by the potential of being in the dole queue in 6 months dancing to “hot stuff?” (See the Full Monty for this reference kids)
I’m baffled by GA and his tactics/selections just like most supporters but we need to have a clear vision/direction from top to bottom of the type and style of football we want if we are to get rid of him. I cannot see the current regime being capable of this either. Can we even afford to pay off yet another failed appointment?
This is the rock and hard place conundrum. Do we stick with it and give him the chance to show us in the summer window that he can bring in players to suit a style he wants or do we simply wave him off like his predecessors and start from square one? The decision in my opinion needs to be made sooner than later to give either GA time to plan for next season or the new incumbent time to assess again and get in who they want.
It’s tough, I clearly am not as knowledgeable, experienced or as competent as the manager, but logically playing 3 central defenders, two wing backs who could be full backs, and then a holding midfielder and a defender in midfield is 7 of the 10 all setup to defend. There is only so much you can ask of them to attack. Then ask two 20 year olds and 1 unproven 25 year old to make magic is hugely unrealistic. It’s smells of smash and grab…..at Grimsby.
Add in all the other data points where many teams, including us a few years also are debating if we need two holding midfielders in a back 4, so Bradford playing 2 with a back 3 and two full backs who like to attack feels like a clear error that at best gets a series of smash and grabs? Maybe it’s no surprise we were much better on Friday even with a subtle change of an attacking midfielder instead of a defensive one?
Would be interested to play today with Odour/Wright as wing back, or keep Smallwood as the one defensive midfielder and have to play too attacking midfielders to support the front 3. We had enough on the bench today to do this.
I think a massive dilemma in the summer, as do we reluctantly make yet another managerial change, or keep faith in Alexander, but then do you honestly really have the confidence that he can build a team capable of challenging for promotion next season.
If we do decide to keep him, all I fear happening is that he will get sacked in September/ October, and we’ll be on the managerial merry go round again, with the new manager being lumbered with players they don’t want.
‘I was worried about the long throw (from a bottom of the league team) in a dead rubber game, so I sat my best player Walker and stuck a RWB in centre mid’
It doesn’t make any sense but we can’t change the manager again (we’ve already proved that it’s pointless) so we have to wait on Rupp’s letter, see if these extra funds and a cohesive summer plan between RS,SG a& GA can deliver anything.
If they can’t, it will be another wasted year and a midseason manager change
Great report Adam and spot on.
You’re actually only voicing what the majority of right minded supporters are thinking.
Alexander should not be removed. He hasn’t had chance to bring in his own players and is working with ones he will soon be jettisoning.
However his treatment of Pointon (forget the one of our own etc) is baffling. Pointon has the creativity to unlock defences. He’s never going to be consistent every game but has shown glimpses of what he is about where others haven’t e.g Odour.
Alexander should be looking to build a team to support the youthful attacking threats of Kavanagh and Pointon next season. They will only improve.
Alexander’s behaviour is of somebody fighting for his job. Now is the time to work on how we attack next season. Blooding the youth where possible. They can form the basis of a successful team to underpin the next 2/3 seasons.
Or maybe GA is under pressure for short term results? To take the heat away from the off field personnel?
Either way it doesn’t show City in a positive light.
I’d start pointon ahead of him but you can’t say Odour hasnt shown glimpses. He was fantastic against Mk Dons and against Wycombe
Kavanagh is young and very raw. He runs around a lot but to me looks like he’s still an enthusiastic youth player learning. If we are pinning promotion hopes on him thats worrying imo. But not as worrying as Smith.
I do wonder where we would be if we had just stuck with bowyer or McCall
Is a mystery why Alexander keeps dragging Pointon off! Even against Tranmere, he pulled him off after a man of the match performance. He has great skill wide and running with the ball and linking up with other players. I believe, Alexander does not like his style of football because it does not match what he believes city should play. He was wide and effective against Tranmere but more central against Grimsby and less effective. Having said that he was still leagues better that some of those he left on. Next match he will occupy the bench. The way he treats Pointon is disgusting. He must feel this! I can see him moving on at the end of the season I know we will get a fee, but, I would prefer to have him at City and build a squad around him. If he goes, then the likes of Alexander and Sparks will feel the wrath of the supporters. I hope the suggested Director of Football will see his potential and he will stay.
At this point in time I’m really hoping the rumoured takeover goes ahead before the Summer and GA/Sparks/Gent get replaced as part of it. Cant see anything else to be hopeful for.
In recent years we’ve complained about every scout etc. Look at the hassle Greg Abbot got, for instance.
The problem is that unless every player is a success, then people think that the scout is poor. In reality, even at good clubs, they rarely have a success rate greater than 60%. And it’s even more of a lottery, the more players you need. At Man City, they are after one new gem per season. At league two, you always need at least five probably ten, sometimes more.
Gent was seen as a success qualified success last season. This season he bought players for a different manager for a different way of playing. He’s not to blame or seen as a failure, because a new manager sees these signings differently. He’s certainly not to blame for Hughes and Young falling out.
In January he brought in kavanagh, who whilst been young and very raw – has to be seen in that ‘most promising’ tag we probably haven’t seen since Wells.
So if you go through each player Gent has brought in, so far there are more successes than failures. If we can do better, then great. But looking at our and other clubs history, I doubt we can.
I’m with you on this. I think Gent has mostly brought in good players. By the way and don’t want to stoke any fires with others, I’ve always said we sack managers too quickly and I definitely would not have considered sacking Hughes never mind the ones before, but Alexander appears to be a footballing dinosaur. Kick and rush is not the future of football!
I think Gent shares a fair portion of the reason the club is declining. If you throw enough crap at a wall, some is bound to stick and that seems to be his approach. Some of his signings have brought success individually, as they should but his failings haven’t been highlighted at all.
to give Ridehalgh a new deal at the end of last season was a disgrace and the handling of Foulds was awful. To switch recruitment strategy so late in the summer with Hughes is hurrendous strategic planning and has left us with a bloated squad where players don’t play in their best position. Take a look at where players he’s signed and have moved on from us are, that’s all you need to know. His macro ways of building a squad are poor, how can you go into a season with Smallwood being our only out and out Centre mid in his 30s and bring in McDonald who can’t finish a game? I can’t think of another team with only 2 cm in their squad in such an important position, no wonder Gilliead is knackered, Ryan East also finding success in the conference btw with Rochdale having a productive season.
sorry but he’s way off Wells ability and coolness in front of goal and I doubt very much he ever will be. He’s still time and I hope he does, but the comparison us so very slim at the moment
I have heard this about the takeover a couple of times on here, any insight into who it maybe or any rumours? I have not heard anything?
Thanks for the match review, as ever. It feels a tad harsh an appraisal from my perspective, especially compared with some of the far worse long ball fare we’ve been treated to in recent times. I think we should give credit to a Grimsby performance full of tireless endeavour, and their closing-down significantly constrained our possession – until Walker and Chapman came on and took the game by the scruff of the neck anyway. Hopefully we will see more of these two now that they seem back to fitness.
GA clearly doesn’t rate Chapman. he’s gone on a freebie in the summer and I believe someone is going to get a good player if played correctly. He’s better than pretty much all our current wide players imo. We dropped of a cliff when he got injured at the end of last season. A good attack focused manager would keep and play him but GA won’t to our detriment imo.
I’m just going to say
1. Spot on article as ever. There’s always going to be differences of opinions but for me, you guys at WoaP invariably get it right. I’m seriously worried that Sparks won’t have the character to let GA go at the end of the season, because having seen his management over the last few short months I dread what he’d do with the summer transfers. He seems to think being “quirky” with team selections and tactics is a personality trait and I feel like he’s actually making players worse week on week.
2. The vitriol aimed at you by some commenters – examples are easy to find above – isn’t on. I’ve never once seen any of your articles or replies to comments be anything other than respectful, even (examples above) when you’d be justified in being a lot less patient than I am when people address me like that.
3. Up the fkn Chickens 😉
Woah! Let’s assume you are talking about me? It is not vitriol, it’s a disagreement for god’s sake and I am sure he doesn’t need you to defend him! For the record , I appreciate the time and effort Jason M puts into his website. I’ve been reading his comments with Michael Wood since the boy from Brazil. and I think he is a very very good writer often capturing the mood of fans. However, if he – not me - chooses to put himself in a position of representing supporters and voicing his personal opinions then he sets himself up to take the rough with the smooth. It’s a shame you do not share that sentiment but I believe you are misguided. More often than not, I can see what JM sees and why he says what he says. But that doesn’t mean I have to agree with him all the time! It’s not personal. JM is often wrong in my opinion and I strongly believe the comments made to banbroview are misjudged. Obviously I share these views. Does that make me vitriolic?
Get off your high horse, be a bit more respectful; of alternative views and they’re Bantams not effing chickens Oli.
you got a thumbs up for the last 9 words 🙂 LOL.
completely random question. I assume you are not THE Ces Podd, and rather a supporter of a certain age who appreciated his game?
JBBantam
it could be brobantam talking to themselves for all we know :)
To those who disagree with me – Who are you and tell me why please/
far from disagreeing. 55 years involved with city puts you at about the right age, hence the speculative ask.
if it was “THE” Ces Podd, I was going to say how much I appreciated you signing a shirt that was presented to me over 30 years ago as an award for league top goal scorer in my u12 many years ago, meant the world.
if you are not “THE” Ces Podd, then, nice user name, picked a legend, and If “THE” Ces Podd is reading from a distance. Thanks!
:0)
I had the delight of sitting in Ces’s Sunbeam Alpine in 1970 when my neighbour Pat Liney -the singing Dundee goalie -took me and his on and my mate Kevin to training at Appleby Bridge. I was besotted, bewitched and I fell in love with the claret and amber that I have followed ever since in front of 1,208 v Hereford, in the Premiership and the abysmal afterlife.
My father in law was the first fire officer on site inn1985, I was in the Kop Ces was my hero then and now. A true legend as was my Father in Law.
So to those of you giving me grief about my views about the club – Jog On
To anybody who gives this a thumbs down you are a sad person, a very sad person with absolutely no concept about what 1985 means to those who suffered and still suffer.
You have no real relationship with this football club whatsoever and you are not fit to to walk to Valley Parade. Your disrespect for hundreds of people beyond the 56 who passed is an absolute disgrace Shame on you! Utterly appalling to make such a shameful comment. If I knew who you were, if you are brave enough to make your self known, I will happily tell you why!!! Please respond as an individual with your full details if you will because I won’t be on by own. Absolutely bilious.
A nameless twat! Who the hell do you think you are and why on earth would you post such a negative comment you piece of shite? Apologies to every body who reads these posts and those who control this site but this is beyond the pale.
To the arsehole who thumbed down I will be in the main stand C Block row K and will, with great pleasure, redistribute your teeth on to the pitch you offensive effing moron!
I recognise this is offensive and probably against all your rules and narrative but this is totally out of order, appalling and the comment of an an offensive pillock with no respect or care.
I have turned off the comments on this article as they have crossed the line of what is acceptable. I can only apologise I didn’t do it sooner but I struggle to monitor this 24/7.
Asking people for a fight and the personal abuse sent at fellow readers is unacceptable. I know passions are high, but the user ‘Ces Podd’ has gone too far.
Please can everyone be respectful of each other.
Jason