Doncaster Rovers vs Bradford City preview

By Jake Verity

It’s been some season.

We came into this campaign wanting a football club to be proud of. For the team, the fans and the club to have a season that we’d never forget.

This team has given everything they possibly can. They’ve fought on the pitch. They’ve stepped up their game. They’ve turned Valley Parade into a fortress and battled to take us up this division. It’s not always been easy, but they’ve stood strong and given all they can.

The fans? I mean, we’re always fantastic. But this year, it’s simply been another level. Records broken. Amazing displays. A loud, proud and vibrant Valley Parade pulling the ball into the back of the net with each game.

And to their immense credit, the leadership of the club have stepped up. There has been extra investment on the pitch. The club have made sure football is affordable for everyone. And yes, it’s thanks to them that we managed to break attendance records – and make great memories in the process. Let us keep moving forwards, together.

A huge weekend lies ahead

This has been a huge season for this football club both on and off the pitch – and the biggest moments are likely still yet to come.

The challenge we face this weekend is a big one – but it’s not insurmountable.

The aim is simple. To win our final two matches and seal promotion to League One.

The reality is slightly trickier. To go and beat top of the league away from home – in a game which can potentially win them the league.

But let me be as clear as possible.

We should not be going into this game with any fear. We were top of the league ourselves a matter of weeks ago. We have the quality in our squad and on the pitch.

Whatever happens over these next two games, to have a mathematical chance of winning promotion tomorrow, with two games to go is huge.

When you take into context every challenge that we’ve faced, be it injuries or bad form; when you look at how galvanised how we are both on and off the pitch; and even better still – when you consider we’ve had one of our own, a Bradford lad playing his part – there’s a lot to be excited about.

This football club always find a way

It’s been a very, very frustrating few weeks – but for anybody who knows us, it is so very Bradford City. We don’t do things the easy way, but we do make it work.

Which is why there’s reason to be positive against this weekend. Because whenever things look like they are going to be tough – this club has a way of pulling you back in.

We slipped up at Swindon, nosedived against Notts County and crashed against Chesterfield.

But we must also remember the scenes at Salford. The win against Walsall. Bobby at Bromley.

There’s been the heartbreak of Andy’s ACL, losing late at St. Andrew’s and Richie’s red card.

But also the joy of Jack Shepherd’s volley. The crowds against Crewe and Colchester.

And now, we must dare to dream at Donny.

It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions, and don’t expect Saturday to be any different at all. In fact, it’ll be likely far more stressful than anything we’ve experienced in some time.

The thing is that there are so many permutations at this stage – it’s hard to keep up, as Jason outlined yesterday. We could be promoted on Saturday or knocked out of the top four – with a range of options in-between.

It would be foolish to make a prediction as to what will happen – which is why the focus must simply be on one thing – controlling our own destiny.

No pressure. Right?

The thing which really matters on Saturday, is getting our team right. Our last two trips on the road have seen 3-1 leads evaporate – and six points turn into one during injury time of both matches.

After being 2-0 up within the first twenty minutes against both Swindon and Chesterfield – it’s fair to say that any quick start or positive lead won’t be crumbs for comfort, should we manage to do so. Which is why this match is so nerve wracking.

Couple this with the very, very notable absence of Richie Smallwood in midfield – and you can see why many fans are anxious about this game at the weekend, against the only side in the top-seven not to lose in their last five matches.

Alexander will have to think differently about this game. It is clear we are better on the front foot, and when we sit back we are very prone to conceding. There’s some big choices to be made, but let’s trust Alexander to do so.

He’s got us this far and restored a sense of pride that we’ve badly missed.

We have guaranteed ourselves a play-off spot at minimum. What was once our ceiling is now our basement.

But we know we can go that one step further. That we are so close to making it back to League One.

We’ve done it before

Every time a Bradford City side seems to have a tough set of circumstances in front of them, as I said earlier, we find a way to make things work. Let’s just hope this is another occasion.

Remember going to Wrexham last season? Our form was terrible, their home form was outstanding – and look what happened.

Think back to Burton Albion in the play-offs. They had the best home record in the country, and we went there and won, comfortably too.

I never tire of talking about our cup runs which showcases the city and a club built on grit, passion and determination.

We want to invoke the spirit of these sort of games and should this Saturday not go our way, we are still guaranteed to be going into the final day with a huge opportunity in front of us.

So forget the permutations, for now. Forget the logic, reason and rationale. Forget the stress and the strains of this promotion race.

Instead think back to the COVID season. The play-off heartbreak against Carlisle and Millwall. The relegation from League One. And how we have longed for a day like this in the regular season for twenty five years.

It’s time for the players to take the step up and etch their names into Bradford City folklore. These next two games are seismic. And if they don’t quite work out the way we want them to, we are guaranteed at the very least of another two matches to make memories yet again.

Why this really matters

A year ago, we were a club divided.

We now go into these final two games as not just a club, but a city that is truly united.

A city that waits in expectation.

Every single one of you, like me I’m sure will have been checking the table and fixtures all week.

But it’s in our hands. We are in control of our own destiny. It’s as frightening as it is exciting.

Weekends like this are all we ever want.

It’s hoping for that chance, that shot, that goal to celebrate.

It’s why I spend my Saturdays travelling hundreds of miles from London to watch my club.

It’s why you are reading this article, because no matter what time of day it is – or where you are right now, Bradford City is a priority for you.

Claret and Amber runs through our veins.

It’s why we go to Doncaster this weekend hoping we can begin climbing back up this Football League ladder – and get back to where we belong.

The thing is:

How we get there? I don’t know.

How we get there? I don’t care.

All I know is City’s on their way.

Categories: Match Previews

Tags: 2024/25, BCAFC, League Two