| Oxford United 0 |
| Bradford City 0 |
Written by Mahesh Johal (images John Dewhirst)
Bradford City headed into arguably their biggest week of the season on the back of a deserved away point against Oxford.
Oxford looked a very tidy outfit, with the movement and pace of their front three causing issues throughout the first half. Gatlin O’Donker arguably should have put the hosts ahead after two minutes when through on Jon McCracken’s goal. Thankfully for the Bantams, the Scotsman stood tall and parried the chance. O’Donker was sent through again in a carbon copy move, this time blazing over from close range.
City struggled to get a grip of the game. However, they had a great chance towards the end of the half when Kayden Jackson found a yard of space in the six yard area only to have his shot smothered by United keeper Jamie Cumming.
Jackson produced one his brightest performances this season. Starting the game as the number 9 and later moved to the right of the front three, he showed flashes of speed, guile and directness that were reminiscent of last season. It was his pass that created City’s clearest chance. A sliding ball down the channel saw George Lapslie alone in the area only to tamely strike straight against Cumming.
Both teams had further chances, O’Donker missed another for the U’s, whilst Callum Connolly’s long ranger was saved.
Connolly will miss Saturday’s derby against Huddersfield after picking up his fifth yellow of the season. Connolly quietly but consistently goes about his business in this much-talked about City midfield. His presence and composure will be missed.
Michael Duff now faces one of his first big calls as City manager. Does jack of all trades, Lapslie, drop back like he did against Burnley, or will loanee Kieran Morgan make his first start? Nine minutes today isn’t enough to evaluate if he’s ready for the league leaders, however recent history shows blooding young loanees on derby day isn’t always the best idea.
In the end a point was a fair result. Similar to the result against Burton, there is a rational and emotional view about the result. In awful conditions you would gladly accept an away point against a play off chasing side. However, after riding the first half storm, City’s control and ascendancy in the second 45 put them in a strong position to nick this game.
With Halloween around the corner, City shouldn’t be afraid of the frightful sights of Robbie Savage and then 2,000-plus zombies from the other side of Brighouse descending on Valley Parade. Both the League Cup quarter finals and the top of the table are well within City’s capabilities and reach. Whether next week proves a trick or a treat will come down to one thing: finally putting these chances away.
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Immense at the back and don’t look like conceding but at the top end we have a major lack of quality we’re some quality crosses whipped in at pace and nobody throwing themselves at the thing,not going to keep going on about Andy Cook but he hasn’t been adequately replaced
Lack of goals is the nut Duff has to crack with a better strike force we’d be at least six points better off
Thanks Mahesh
Very good summary.
The wet and windy weather conditions combined with the open (non-existent) stand at one end made it very tricky for the players. However I thought we took control for large parts of the game after a shaky first 20 minutes or so.
I agree Jackson was excellent ( and would have scored had he not hit his snap shot straight at the keeper). A bit harsh on Lapslie – his late effort was very well saved just as O Donkor’s was by McCracken for them. Morgan also had a great chance late on and completely missed a great OKeefe ball in ( OK also had an excellent game btw) when almost any connection might have gone in.