Johnstone's Paint Trophy - Regional Quarter Final
10th November 2009
City's last game in this competition against Notts County had ended in a 2-2 draw at Valley Parade and had been decided in favour of the home side on penalties, and tonight, on the same ground, the same full-time scoreline and outcome was recorded against Port Vale.
The Valiants had already visited Valley Parade earlier in the season for a game that ended goalless, and for much of the first half here, a repeat scoreline looked likely in a drab opening 45 minutes.
Michael Boulding, recalled to the City side at the expense of the injured Gareth Evans, had two tame shots along the ground at Chris Martin in the opening quarter of an hour and Steve Williams should have also done better with an unmarked header from a Michael Flynn free-kick, which was diverted wide.
The visitors first real chance fell to Louis Dodds who fired over on the turn after quarter of an hour, whilst Jamie Guy stretched desperately to get onto the end of a long pass from Robert Taylor, but diverted a header wide two minutes later.
Gareth Owen saw a header tipped around the post by Simon Eastwood but Micky Adams' men finally broke the deadlock in the 27th minute when the City defence was caught napping and John McCombe fired in a half-volley at the near post.
Guy bobbled a shot wide after City had failed to clear a corner and City entered the break one goal down.
Thankfully City boss Stuart McCall made two inspired substituations at the re-start, replacing Boulding and Luke Sharry with James O'Brien and Chris Brandon, both of whom breathed life into an up-to-that-point delapidated City side.
It was J. O'Brien that had a hand in the equaliser too, crossing from the left hand touchline for Michael Flynn to head home from close range for his fifth goal in City colours.
That brought the game to life and Flynn almost added a second later but saw Martin scramble clear as he tried to chase down a loose ball, whilst Brandon angled himself a shooting opportunity and wasn't a million miles away when curling a low shot narrowly wide too.
Robert Taylor continued to exert an influence for Vale and fired a twenty yard rocket just wide of the right hand post but it was City that netted next with James Hanson, who had seen an excellent knock down across the face of goal cleared minutes earlier, glancing home a header from a Luke O'Brien cross in the 70th minute.
Taylor did finally draw blood when City allowed Dodds to cut infrom the right and failed to pick up the onrushing full-back who slammed home in fine style, but there was still chances thereafter for either side to secure themsleves a place in the semi-final.
J. O'Brien played a neat one two with Michael Flynn on the edge of the area before dragging his shot disappointingly wide after bursting into the box whilst Vale nearly netted a freak equaliser in the 77th minute when a ball that seemed to be set to roll into touch hit a divot and slowed down, allowed a Vale winger to cross from the right, only for a teammate to fire over the bar from close range.
Kris Taylor lashed a free-kick across the face of goal as Vale attempted to snatch a later winner, but the ball rolled out safely into touch and the tie went to penalties.
Both Marc Richards and then Flynn netted opening kicks for either side before Dodds and Kris Taylor and then J. O'Brien and Brandon missed kicks for either side and failed to expoit one anothers misses. As the shootout entered sudden death Robert Taylor and Zesh Rehman each held their nerve but Adam Yates saw his kick saved by Eastwood and when Steve Williams lashed in City's seventh kick, McCall's men progressed to the next round to set up a possible clash with Leeds, Carlisle or Accrington.
BCTID MOM - Matt Clarke - dominated in the air and a generally solid display at centre-half.
Wednesday 11 November 2009
Tuesday 10 November 2009
JPT vs Port Vale - Fill your boots time?
Bradford City vs Port Vale - Tue 10th Nov - Johnstone's Paint Trophy
One of the benefits of following lower league football is that ignorant odds compilers often falsely price up certain bets in particular markets because they generally cater for the masses and spend less time on niche markets which attract little money. As a result, when searching for a bet, prices that are out of line quickly stand out like a sore thumb. Despite the fact Michael Flynn has netted more than his fair share from midfield this season, several bookmakers price him up at 16/1 to net first against Port Vale in the JPT tonight. The likes of Ladbrokes know the score and have him down as a 9/1 chance but the likes of Skybet and VC Bet are quite happy to lay 16/1 to you, and it looks a price too big to ignore.
City are without Gareth Evans (foot) and Lee Bullock (suspended) which probably means a recall for Michael Boulding upfront, with the midfield position possibly being filled by Leon Osbourne who came off the bench at Notts County on Saturday. On the whole, that probably weakens City's side, and it could be one of those games where decent goalscoring chances are at a premium, and we grab one from a set-play.
Port Vale have already visited Valley Parade this season, and looked distinctly average, only threatening from set-plays, and if they play the same tonight, a goal from open play seems unlikely. Boulding struggled against the Valiants back in August and will be hoping for better service tonight but City often lacked a final ball that day and will be pinning their hopes on Scott Neilson and Osbourne to unlock the opposition defence.
The jury is still out on Osbourne and Neilson has looked jaded in recent starts, and I think the more likely source of a goal is though the wicked right foot of Michael Flynn. The combative midfield has made a big impression since signing from Huddersfield in the close season and has netted four goals in nineteen games for Bradford. That is impressive for a central midfielder and being a set-piece expert he also offers danger from free-kicks.
Stuart McCall has said on the visitors.."You look at Port Vale's record away from home and they're very hard to beat so I'm sure we'll be practising penalties because it could be a tough night......when they came here they were resolute, nil-nil, didn't have many chances bit of a drab game but they did the job and got a point" and at 16/1 it is worth chancing that Flynn will be the man to break the deadlock with one of his long range thunderbolts.
Michael Flynn First Goalscorer 16/1 VC Bet/Skybet, 4 pts win/1 pt place.
One of the benefits of following lower league football is that ignorant odds compilers often falsely price up certain bets in particular markets because they generally cater for the masses and spend less time on niche markets which attract little money. As a result, when searching for a bet, prices that are out of line quickly stand out like a sore thumb. Despite the fact Michael Flynn has netted more than his fair share from midfield this season, several bookmakers price him up at 16/1 to net first against Port Vale in the JPT tonight. The likes of Ladbrokes know the score and have him down as a 9/1 chance but the likes of Skybet and VC Bet are quite happy to lay 16/1 to you, and it looks a price too big to ignore.
City are without Gareth Evans (foot) and Lee Bullock (suspended) which probably means a recall for Michael Boulding upfront, with the midfield position possibly being filled by Leon Osbourne who came off the bench at Notts County on Saturday. On the whole, that probably weakens City's side, and it could be one of those games where decent goalscoring chances are at a premium, and we grab one from a set-play.
Port Vale have already visited Valley Parade this season, and looked distinctly average, only threatening from set-plays, and if they play the same tonight, a goal from open play seems unlikely. Boulding struggled against the Valiants back in August and will be hoping for better service tonight but City often lacked a final ball that day and will be pinning their hopes on Scott Neilson and Osbourne to unlock the opposition defence.
The jury is still out on Osbourne and Neilson has looked jaded in recent starts, and I think the more likely source of a goal is though the wicked right foot of Michael Flynn. The combative midfield has made a big impression since signing from Huddersfield in the close season and has netted four goals in nineteen games for Bradford. That is impressive for a central midfielder and being a set-piece expert he also offers danger from free-kicks.
Stuart McCall has said on the visitors.."You look at Port Vale's record away from home and they're very hard to beat so I'm sure we'll be practising penalties because it could be a tough night......when they came here they were resolute, nil-nil, didn't have many chances bit of a drab game but they did the job and got a point" and at 16/1 it is worth chancing that Flynn will be the man to break the deadlock with one of his long range thunderbolts.
Michael Flynn First Goalscorer 16/1 VC Bet/Skybet, 4 pts win/1 pt place.
Tuesday 27 October 2009
Bradford 1 - 0 Hereford Match Report
Saturday 24th October
League Two
City's results at home this season have not always met the performances they have warranted, but today they managed to beat a poor Hereford side without ever really hitting top gear themselves.
It was all Bradford in the early exchanges, with Chris Brandon collecting a short corner from Gareth Evans but wasting a decent crossing opportunity, and it wasn't until Kenny Lunt dragged a left-footed shot wide that the Bulls looked like even threatening the home goal.
Michael Flynn threatened throughout with his impressive long-range shots, and although his effort of his weaker left foot trailed into the arms of Adam Bartlett in the 28th minute, he did create the opening goal when allowed a shooting chance on his stronger foot, crashing a shot off the post that was greatefully turned home on the rebound by Evans in the 41st minute to open the scoring.
Other Bradford chances had come to Brandon, whose well hit 25-yard drive sailed wide, and Scott Neilson, who flicked nicely around his marker before hitting a low shot that was claimed by Bartlett.
The other noteworthy moment in the first half came when Steve Williams should have done better with a header inside the visitor's box, but mis-directed his effort to Lee Bullock, who needlessly handled instead of conceding a goal kick, ensuring he walked the rest of the game on a tightrope as a result of the yellow card that followed.
In the second half Brandon saw a shot parried and cleared and Flynn registered a half volley after his own free-kick had come back to him but the second half in general lacked quality.
Simon Eastwood gave the Bradford fans a heart-in-the-mouth moment when tripping as he attempted to collect a mis-hit clearance from Bullock, and although he slipped as he attempted to claim the high ball the ball bounced off the top of the bar and was cleared by his defenders, although he did later make amends by smothering at the feet of King who had squirmed his way past Williams deep inside the the Bradford area.
James Hanson and Neilson both had the ball in the back of the net for City before seeing their efforts ruled out for offside, and when the former did manage to finally spring the Hereford backline, latching onto a cross from Jon Bateson, Bartlett produced a fine save to tip over and keep his side in with claims of a point.
However, that equaliser would not come for John Trewick's men and Lee Morris' diving header after he had beaten Williams to a cross went out for a corner, and City, reduced to ten men following the dismissal of Bullock for a second yellow in the 82nd minute, survived an anxious end to the game and clung on for all three points.
BCTID MOM: Despite his silly red card for which he only has himself to blame, Lee Bullock had a very impressive game, especially in the first half when he was virtually faultless.
League Two
City's results at home this season have not always met the performances they have warranted, but today they managed to beat a poor Hereford side without ever really hitting top gear themselves.
It was all Bradford in the early exchanges, with Chris Brandon collecting a short corner from Gareth Evans but wasting a decent crossing opportunity, and it wasn't until Kenny Lunt dragged a left-footed shot wide that the Bulls looked like even threatening the home goal.
Michael Flynn threatened throughout with his impressive long-range shots, and although his effort of his weaker left foot trailed into the arms of Adam Bartlett in the 28th minute, he did create the opening goal when allowed a shooting chance on his stronger foot, crashing a shot off the post that was greatefully turned home on the rebound by Evans in the 41st minute to open the scoring.
Other Bradford chances had come to Brandon, whose well hit 25-yard drive sailed wide, and Scott Neilson, who flicked nicely around his marker before hitting a low shot that was claimed by Bartlett.
The other noteworthy moment in the first half came when Steve Williams should have done better with a header inside the visitor's box, but mis-directed his effort to Lee Bullock, who needlessly handled instead of conceding a goal kick, ensuring he walked the rest of the game on a tightrope as a result of the yellow card that followed.
In the second half Brandon saw a shot parried and cleared and Flynn registered a half volley after his own free-kick had come back to him but the second half in general lacked quality.
Simon Eastwood gave the Bradford fans a heart-in-the-mouth moment when tripping as he attempted to collect a mis-hit clearance from Bullock, and although he slipped as he attempted to claim the high ball the ball bounced off the top of the bar and was cleared by his defenders, although he did later make amends by smothering at the feet of King who had squirmed his way past Williams deep inside the the Bradford area.
James Hanson and Neilson both had the ball in the back of the net for City before seeing their efforts ruled out for offside, and when the former did manage to finally spring the Hereford backline, latching onto a cross from Jon Bateson, Bartlett produced a fine save to tip over and keep his side in with claims of a point.
However, that equaliser would not come for John Trewick's men and Lee Morris' diving header after he had beaten Williams to a cross went out for a corner, and City, reduced to ten men following the dismissal of Bullock for a second yellow in the 82nd minute, survived an anxious end to the game and clung on for all three points.
BCTID MOM: Despite his silly red card for which he only has himself to blame, Lee Bullock had a very impressive game, especially in the first half when he was virtually faultless.
Saturday 10 October 2009
Bradford 2 - 3 Crewe - Match Report
Saturday 10th October
League Two
Bradford's ten game unbeaten run came to an end against Crewe this afternoon as the Railwaymen temporarily steered City's promotion charge off course.
In what was a thrilling advert for League Two football, Calvin Zola fired the visitors ahead with a wonder strike in the 8th minute, collecting a throw in on the right-hand touchline and lashing in an unstoppable dipping shot from what appeared to be an impossible angle.
The gangly forward, a £200k purchase from Tranmere last season, has made a big impact this season netting eight goals before this game and led the Crewe line well all afternoon, teeing up Shaun Miller in the 21st minute before his teammate saw his volley well blocked by Zesh Rehman.
For all of his guile though, Zola should not have been presented with the opportunity that led to Crewe's second. Steve Williams tried to side step an onrushing Crewe man but cheaply lost possession and was punished by Zola who tucked home from 20 yards with the assistance of the post, again leaving City 'keeper Simon Eastwood with no chance.
However, this was an end to end game of football and City too created plenty, if not more of the chances in the first half. As early as the second minute Michael Boulding had come close with a sweeping shot at the near post from a Luke O'Brien cross but seen his effort blocked by Patrick Ada.
Faced with the prospect of losing his place in the team to the returning-from-suspension Gareth Evans next week, Boulding worked his socks off for his side this afternoon and although he will still be scratching his head as to how he managed to clout the bar from six yards out after James O'Brien's shot had deflected into his path, he did make amends in first half injury time neatly glancing in a cross from the same player into the bottom left hand corner past David Button to take his tally to three in three since his recall.
Large portions of this match could be summed up in one word for City - frustration. They allowed John Brayford to cythe his way through their defence before he fired a bobbling shot wide whilst at the other end they were getting close to the goal without really troubling Button.
In the second half, that frustation was compounded when Crewe added a third and it was former Bantam Steve Schumacher on the scoresheet. The cheeky scouser had fired a warning to City that he was after a goal when, in the second minute of the half, his close range header had been batted out by Eastwood, but in the 65th minute he went one better with a 25-yard drive that took a late bounce that appeared to deceive the City stopper.
Nevertheless, even at 3-1 down City were not out of this contest and James Hanson saw several well hit shots deflected wide before he marked his recall to the side - after a bout of flu - with a superbly taken goal, adjusting his body well to a Boulding cross from the left to fire in a hook volley to put his side back in with good claims of a point.
City lacked width at times though, which was adressed around the hour when Scott Neilson replaced the ineffective Chris Brandon and he saw a volley palmed wide by Button who had become stranded in the middle of his area.
Miller missed a sitter from close range when he appeared to have been in an offside position after a Schumacher shot, but the most controversial moment of the game came with around 20 minutes of the match remaining when Lee Bullock's intended pass to Neilson appeared to have been controlled by the arm of Ashley Westwood around the edge of the area. City claimed the offence had taken place inside the box, the linesman claimed otherwise, and the referee sided with his assistant, as City wasted the resulting set-piece, a comment that applied so often this afternoon as they dominated the corner count too with 16 as opposed to Crewe's 7.
Ramsden saw a shot cleared off the line whilst Mat Mitchel-King had to throw his body on the line with a superb block to deny Flynn from inside the area, but the best chance in the closing minutes of the match fell to sub Anthony Elding who picked up a poor Luke O'Brien header - intended as a backpass for Eastwood - but saw his attempted lob saved as the 'keeper came charging out.
In summary, this was an end to end game of football that had you on the edge of your seat but with some horror defending and some class finishing from Crewe, City would have never been deserving of anything more than a point here, but their effort cannot be faulted and as fans that is all we ask for.
BCTID MOM: Calvin Zola - the best performance from a visiting player I have seen at Valley Parade this season. Everything about the guy smacked of a player that was playing below his level and if he carries on his current form Dario Gradi may be fending them off in January.
League Two
Bradford's ten game unbeaten run came to an end against Crewe this afternoon as the Railwaymen temporarily steered City's promotion charge off course.
In what was a thrilling advert for League Two football, Calvin Zola fired the visitors ahead with a wonder strike in the 8th minute, collecting a throw in on the right-hand touchline and lashing in an unstoppable dipping shot from what appeared to be an impossible angle.
The gangly forward, a £200k purchase from Tranmere last season, has made a big impact this season netting eight goals before this game and led the Crewe line well all afternoon, teeing up Shaun Miller in the 21st minute before his teammate saw his volley well blocked by Zesh Rehman.
For all of his guile though, Zola should not have been presented with the opportunity that led to Crewe's second. Steve Williams tried to side step an onrushing Crewe man but cheaply lost possession and was punished by Zola who tucked home from 20 yards with the assistance of the post, again leaving City 'keeper Simon Eastwood with no chance.
However, this was an end to end game of football and City too created plenty, if not more of the chances in the first half. As early as the second minute Michael Boulding had come close with a sweeping shot at the near post from a Luke O'Brien cross but seen his effort blocked by Patrick Ada.
Faced with the prospect of losing his place in the team to the returning-from-suspension Gareth Evans next week, Boulding worked his socks off for his side this afternoon and although he will still be scratching his head as to how he managed to clout the bar from six yards out after James O'Brien's shot had deflected into his path, he did make amends in first half injury time neatly glancing in a cross from the same player into the bottom left hand corner past David Button to take his tally to three in three since his recall.
Large portions of this match could be summed up in one word for City - frustration. They allowed John Brayford to cythe his way through their defence before he fired a bobbling shot wide whilst at the other end they were getting close to the goal without really troubling Button.
In the second half, that frustation was compounded when Crewe added a third and it was former Bantam Steve Schumacher on the scoresheet. The cheeky scouser had fired a warning to City that he was after a goal when, in the second minute of the half, his close range header had been batted out by Eastwood, but in the 65th minute he went one better with a 25-yard drive that took a late bounce that appeared to deceive the City stopper.
Nevertheless, even at 3-1 down City were not out of this contest and James Hanson saw several well hit shots deflected wide before he marked his recall to the side - after a bout of flu - with a superbly taken goal, adjusting his body well to a Boulding cross from the left to fire in a hook volley to put his side back in with good claims of a point.
City lacked width at times though, which was adressed around the hour when Scott Neilson replaced the ineffective Chris Brandon and he saw a volley palmed wide by Button who had become stranded in the middle of his area.
Miller missed a sitter from close range when he appeared to have been in an offside position after a Schumacher shot, but the most controversial moment of the game came with around 20 minutes of the match remaining when Lee Bullock's intended pass to Neilson appeared to have been controlled by the arm of Ashley Westwood around the edge of the area. City claimed the offence had taken place inside the box, the linesman claimed otherwise, and the referee sided with his assistant, as City wasted the resulting set-piece, a comment that applied so often this afternoon as they dominated the corner count too with 16 as opposed to Crewe's 7.
Ramsden saw a shot cleared off the line whilst Mat Mitchel-King had to throw his body on the line with a superb block to deny Flynn from inside the area, but the best chance in the closing minutes of the match fell to sub Anthony Elding who picked up a poor Luke O'Brien header - intended as a backpass for Eastwood - but saw his attempted lob saved as the 'keeper came charging out.
In summary, this was an end to end game of football that had you on the edge of your seat but with some horror defending and some class finishing from Crewe, City would have never been deserving of anything more than a point here, but their effort cannot be faulted and as fans that is all we ask for.
BCTID MOM: Calvin Zola - the best performance from a visiting player I have seen at Valley Parade this season. Everything about the guy smacked of a player that was playing below his level and if he carries on his current form Dario Gradi may be fending them off in January.
Tuesday 6 October 2009
Bradford 2 - 2 Notts County - Match Report
Johnstone's Paint Trophy - Second Round
Tuesday 6th October 2009
The member of the Notts County staff that leapt down the touchline infront of the home fans, as Delroy Facey netted what he thought was a match winning goal in the 85th minute, really does need to learn the meaning of the phrase 'its not over until the final whistle' as his side were dumped out of the Johnstone's Paint trophy on penalties after a late equaliser from Chris Brandon handed Bradford a lifeline.
The 3,701 fans that turned up on this wet Tuesday night were treated to an entertaining cup tie even if the game was played under difficult, boggy conditions, following late deluge of rain in the afternoon that left the pitch particularly boggy infront of the Sunwin stand.
In the first half City controlled matters but to their surprise found themselves a goal behind when Craig Westcarr caught the City defence napping and sidestepped Simon Eastwood to roll home in the 10th minute.
After then, City created the better chances throughout the remainder of the first half, Michael Flynn drove over the bar from 25 yards, and Luke O'Brien's cross was nearly turned into his own net by Mike Edwards but it was Michael Boulding - making the most of his recall to the team at the expense of the suspended Gareth Evans - that levelled matters, collecting a long punt from Flynn after former City skipper Graeme Lee had got caught under the ball, before rolling in past Kasper Schmeichel. The big Dane looked like his goalkeeping jersey had been stuffed with banknotes he was that big, and as he collapsed to the ground and two of his teammates slid back onto the line to try save his bacon, the ball somehow managed to trickle over the line in the 20th minute.
Simon Eastwood made a good save to deny Karl Hawley from range whilst Leon Osbourne had gone close with a low shot just wide to the left for City, with further chances for the home side falling to Boulding, who shot tamely at Schmeichel from inside the box, and when Luke O'Brien's cross was palmed in the area and cleared before City had chance of a tap in.
In the second half Notts County stepped their game up a notch and began to control matters, with City offering very little throughout the second period even after the substitions of Sharry for Flynn and Thorne for Neilson. It wasn't until the 85th minute though that the Magpies managed to actually regain the lead, with former loan-Bantam Delroy Facey turning in a cross from the right wing from Westcarr.
That had come after the dismissal of Lee for a second bookable offence just after an hour and appeared to have killed off the game, before the tie sprang into life in the final ten minutes and Brandon headed in an equaliser at the back post unmarked after a superb James O'Brien corner from the right.
There was still time for lively substitute Matt Richie to tonk the bar in time added on for the visitors but City failed to make the most of a couple of corners themselves and the game went immediately to penalties.
Things were not looking good for the Bantams when County converted their first spot kick and Boulding missed his team's first. However, sub Peter Thorne managed to squirm his kick under the big frame of Schmeichel and when Eastwood magnificently saved low to his right next time up City were back in the contest. Skipper Simon Ramsden converted to draw his side level and when James O'Brien coolly slotted home high into the right hand corner after County had fired wide, City went ahead. Schmeichel declared himself the man to keep County in the game but saw his powerful effort saved by the legs of Eastwood, meaning it was City that threw their name into the hat for the draw for the next round countesy of a 3-2 victory on penalties.
BCTID MOM - No one was particularly outstanding in my opinion on what was a difficult night to play football but having produced two good saves in the shoot out I find myself leaning towards young Simon Eastwood yet again as those saves proved vital in City getting through to the next round of the competition.
Tuesday 6th October 2009
The member of the Notts County staff that leapt down the touchline infront of the home fans, as Delroy Facey netted what he thought was a match winning goal in the 85th minute, really does need to learn the meaning of the phrase 'its not over until the final whistle' as his side were dumped out of the Johnstone's Paint trophy on penalties after a late equaliser from Chris Brandon handed Bradford a lifeline.
The 3,701 fans that turned up on this wet Tuesday night were treated to an entertaining cup tie even if the game was played under difficult, boggy conditions, following late deluge of rain in the afternoon that left the pitch particularly boggy infront of the Sunwin stand.
In the first half City controlled matters but to their surprise found themselves a goal behind when Craig Westcarr caught the City defence napping and sidestepped Simon Eastwood to roll home in the 10th minute.
After then, City created the better chances throughout the remainder of the first half, Michael Flynn drove over the bar from 25 yards, and Luke O'Brien's cross was nearly turned into his own net by Mike Edwards but it was Michael Boulding - making the most of his recall to the team at the expense of the suspended Gareth Evans - that levelled matters, collecting a long punt from Flynn after former City skipper Graeme Lee had got caught under the ball, before rolling in past Kasper Schmeichel. The big Dane looked like his goalkeeping jersey had been stuffed with banknotes he was that big, and as he collapsed to the ground and two of his teammates slid back onto the line to try save his bacon, the ball somehow managed to trickle over the line in the 20th minute.
Simon Eastwood made a good save to deny Karl Hawley from range whilst Leon Osbourne had gone close with a low shot just wide to the left for City, with further chances for the home side falling to Boulding, who shot tamely at Schmeichel from inside the box, and when Luke O'Brien's cross was palmed in the area and cleared before City had chance of a tap in.
In the second half Notts County stepped their game up a notch and began to control matters, with City offering very little throughout the second period even after the substitions of Sharry for Flynn and Thorne for Neilson. It wasn't until the 85th minute though that the Magpies managed to actually regain the lead, with former loan-Bantam Delroy Facey turning in a cross from the right wing from Westcarr.
That had come after the dismissal of Lee for a second bookable offence just after an hour and appeared to have killed off the game, before the tie sprang into life in the final ten minutes and Brandon headed in an equaliser at the back post unmarked after a superb James O'Brien corner from the right.
There was still time for lively substitute Matt Richie to tonk the bar in time added on for the visitors but City failed to make the most of a couple of corners themselves and the game went immediately to penalties.
Things were not looking good for the Bantams when County converted their first spot kick and Boulding missed his team's first. However, sub Peter Thorne managed to squirm his kick under the big frame of Schmeichel and when Eastwood magnificently saved low to his right next time up City were back in the contest. Skipper Simon Ramsden converted to draw his side level and when James O'Brien coolly slotted home high into the right hand corner after County had fired wide, City went ahead. Schmeichel declared himself the man to keep County in the game but saw his powerful effort saved by the legs of Eastwood, meaning it was City that threw their name into the hat for the draw for the next round countesy of a 3-2 victory on penalties.
BCTID MOM - No one was particularly outstanding in my opinion on what was a difficult night to play football but having produced two good saves in the shoot out I find myself leaning towards young Simon Eastwood yet again as those saves proved vital in City getting through to the next round of the competition.
Sunday 27 September 2009
Bradford 3 - 0 Chesterfield - Match Report
League Two
Saturday 26th September 2009
After a sticky start to the season Stuart McCall's Bradford have embarked upon a decent run of form of late and a comfortable victory over Chesterfield at Valley Parade extended their unbeaten run to seven matches and lifted them to within two points of the top seven.
That they never hit top gear bodes well for the Bantams, who generally controlled this game from start to finish although they did have a scare early on when Wade Small almost found himself one on one with Simon Eastwood before referee Gary Sutton - who had an excellent game and often played the sensible advantage - halted play for an alleged trip on Luke O'Brien.
With Jack Lester benched as he recovered from a recent virus, Chesterfield lacked bite and Donal McDermott's left foot shot from an angle was horribly off target. Michael Flynn had shown him how it was done two minutes earlier when he capitalised on a moment of hesitation from a Spireites fullback down the left wing to cut back onto his right foot and curl a beautiful shot into the top-right hand corner to open the scoring in the 23rd minute.
Although they were the dominant side, City did have a few hairy moments and Simon Eastwood was called into action after half an hour with a good block after Jonathon Bateson had been beaten to the ball by Wade Small at the back post.
Another City man playing well was Scott Neilson and he enjoyed another good game on the right wing as he settles down into the side. His effort in the 34th minute - after cutting inside onto his left foot from around 25 yards - would have been a contender for goal of the month had Tommy Lee not pulled off a top drawer save to claw the ball out of the top corner.
However, Neilson did later manage to get his name onto the scoresheet, and at a crucial moment too. Chesterfield began a little better after the break but Derek Niven saw a close range shot blocked by Eastwood and instantly City launched a counter attack that saw Gareth Evans' shot parried into the path of Neilson for an easy tap in in the 55th minute.
Other half-chances for Chesterfield had come from their best player, Small, who had dragged a low shot wide of goal after escaping Williams, and also to Gregor Robertson, who curled a left-footed shot over the bar.
A City chance fell the way of James Hanson, who, with his back to goal, hooked a volley over the bar after a cross from Bateson, but a more clinical finish came courtesy of substitute Chris Brandon who rifled home from inside the area after Hanson had challenged Lee - his second goal off the bench against his former clubs this season.
Lester, so often a tormentor of City in the past, was starved of service after his introduction on the hour and Chesterfield's heads seemed to have dropped long by this point, and with Martin Gritton's low shot a routine catch for Eastwood it was the Bantams that looked more likely to add to their tally in the closing minutes.
Neilson somehow managed to hit the post with the goal at his mercy after Lee had become stranded, and substitute Michael Boulding also found himself in a decent position before waiting for the ball to roll across him and allowing Lee in to intercept before he had managed to crack a shot away.
Nevertheless, those misses proved irrelevant as City collected a well deserved three points and left the feeling that they had much more to offer in the months to come.
BCTID MOM - Luke O'Brien continued his good run of form with another fine attacking performance on the left and Michael Flynn had another good game in the middle of the field and has really bedded into the side well now and is contributing plenty offensively. My gut instinct walking away from the ground was that Simon Eastwood was my man of the match based upon his two fine saves that kept his side ahead, but on reflection I think Scott Neilson was probably the star man for City. He's got a wicked shot on him, looks much classier than his predecessor when in possession and is proving to be a real find by Stuart McCall.
Saturday 26th September 2009
After a sticky start to the season Stuart McCall's Bradford have embarked upon a decent run of form of late and a comfortable victory over Chesterfield at Valley Parade extended their unbeaten run to seven matches and lifted them to within two points of the top seven.
That they never hit top gear bodes well for the Bantams, who generally controlled this game from start to finish although they did have a scare early on when Wade Small almost found himself one on one with Simon Eastwood before referee Gary Sutton - who had an excellent game and often played the sensible advantage - halted play for an alleged trip on Luke O'Brien.
With Jack Lester benched as he recovered from a recent virus, Chesterfield lacked bite and Donal McDermott's left foot shot from an angle was horribly off target. Michael Flynn had shown him how it was done two minutes earlier when he capitalised on a moment of hesitation from a Spireites fullback down the left wing to cut back onto his right foot and curl a beautiful shot into the top-right hand corner to open the scoring in the 23rd minute.
Although they were the dominant side, City did have a few hairy moments and Simon Eastwood was called into action after half an hour with a good block after Jonathon Bateson had been beaten to the ball by Wade Small at the back post.
Another City man playing well was Scott Neilson and he enjoyed another good game on the right wing as he settles down into the side. His effort in the 34th minute - after cutting inside onto his left foot from around 25 yards - would have been a contender for goal of the month had Tommy Lee not pulled off a top drawer save to claw the ball out of the top corner.
However, Neilson did later manage to get his name onto the scoresheet, and at a crucial moment too. Chesterfield began a little better after the break but Derek Niven saw a close range shot blocked by Eastwood and instantly City launched a counter attack that saw Gareth Evans' shot parried into the path of Neilson for an easy tap in in the 55th minute.
Other half-chances for Chesterfield had come from their best player, Small, who had dragged a low shot wide of goal after escaping Williams, and also to Gregor Robertson, who curled a left-footed shot over the bar.
A City chance fell the way of James Hanson, who, with his back to goal, hooked a volley over the bar after a cross from Bateson, but a more clinical finish came courtesy of substitute Chris Brandon who rifled home from inside the area after Hanson had challenged Lee - his second goal off the bench against his former clubs this season.
Lester, so often a tormentor of City in the past, was starved of service after his introduction on the hour and Chesterfield's heads seemed to have dropped long by this point, and with Martin Gritton's low shot a routine catch for Eastwood it was the Bantams that looked more likely to add to their tally in the closing minutes.
Neilson somehow managed to hit the post with the goal at his mercy after Lee had become stranded, and substitute Michael Boulding also found himself in a decent position before waiting for the ball to roll across him and allowing Lee in to intercept before he had managed to crack a shot away.
Nevertheless, those misses proved irrelevant as City collected a well deserved three points and left the feeling that they had much more to offer in the months to come.
BCTID MOM - Luke O'Brien continued his good run of form with another fine attacking performance on the left and Michael Flynn had another good game in the middle of the field and has really bedded into the side well now and is contributing plenty offensively. My gut instinct walking away from the ground was that Simon Eastwood was my man of the match based upon his two fine saves that kept his side ahead, but on reflection I think Scott Neilson was probably the star man for City. He's got a wicked shot on him, looks much classier than his predecessor when in possession and is proving to be a real find by Stuart McCall.
Sunday 13 September 2009
Bradford 1 - 1 Burton Albion - Match Report
League Two
Saturday 12th September 2009
Burton have adapted well to life in League Two following promotion from the Conference last term, and ground out a 1-1 draw from Valley Parade this afternoon.
In the first half Bradford just about shaded matters, but their inability to take their chances meant they were punished when Paul Boertien curled in a late equaliser for the Staffordshire side to deny City five wins on the bounce.
In the opening stages it was Gareth Evans and Scott Neilson that created City's best chances, with the duo combining to tee Neilson up for a shot inside the first ten minutes, but his effort was weak.
This was another livewire performance from Evans and it was the former Macclesfield man that opened the scoring after a defensive mix up between Burton skipper Guy Branston and a fellow defender, rolling home into an empty net in the 24th minute after the ball had squirmed loose inside the area.
With twenty minutes of the half remaining, Evans this time turned provider, latching onto a pass down the left from Flynn, and crossing to the back post where Neilson's ambitious volley sailed over.
For the visitors, John McGrath was at the heart of Burton's best moves. After Greg Pearson had drawn in his marker with his back to goal inside the area, a sideways flick set up McGrath, but a superb save from City stopper Simon Eastwood denied him his moment of glory.
McGrath then curled a free-kick narrowly wide of the top left-hand corner but Burton boss Paul Peschisolido will be cursing Lee Bullock, who threw his body on the line fior Bradford and clattered into the post to deny Pearson a simple tap in after Eastwood had again produced a fine save from close range after Zesh Rehman's mistake inside the box.
In first half injury time McGrath sold a dummy to the Bradford defence that enabled him to crack a shot away on the edge of the area, but it was angled horribly wrong and of no danger to Eastwood.
The second half was less exciting than the first and one of City's best chances came when Albion 'keeper Artur Krysiak punched the ball only as far as Michael Flynn and with his second attempt the City midfielder, who has been in fine goalscoring mood with two goals in his last two, lifted the ball narrowly wide of the left hand post with the keeper stranded.
However, City's best chance of doubling their advantage came when they broke rapidly and outnumbered Burton three on two at the back. Neilson was in plenty of space down the right but instead of playing in his team-mate Evans opted for a chip over the 'keeper, which sailed over the bar and wasted the opportunity.
That miss proved crucial for McCall's side though, as Burton worked their way into a nice position inside the City box and Boertien burst into the area before curling into the top corner from a Richard Walker lay-off to draw his side level with seven minutes remaining.
McCall threw on Michael Boulding and City went with a three-pronged attack in an attempt to salvage the win, but they failed to muster any other chances of note and a point, given their inability to really shake off Burton all game, seems a fair result on reflection.
BCTID MOM - There were good performances from Steve Williams, Michael Flynn, Chris Brandon and Gareth Evans but this was a pleasing performance from Simon Eastwood and the two saves he pulled off in the first half will do his confidence the world of good after many, myself included, questioned his place in the team in weeks gone by.
Saturday 12th September 2009
Burton have adapted well to life in League Two following promotion from the Conference last term, and ground out a 1-1 draw from Valley Parade this afternoon.
In the first half Bradford just about shaded matters, but their inability to take their chances meant they were punished when Paul Boertien curled in a late equaliser for the Staffordshire side to deny City five wins on the bounce.
In the opening stages it was Gareth Evans and Scott Neilson that created City's best chances, with the duo combining to tee Neilson up for a shot inside the first ten minutes, but his effort was weak.
This was another livewire performance from Evans and it was the former Macclesfield man that opened the scoring after a defensive mix up between Burton skipper Guy Branston and a fellow defender, rolling home into an empty net in the 24th minute after the ball had squirmed loose inside the area.
With twenty minutes of the half remaining, Evans this time turned provider, latching onto a pass down the left from Flynn, and crossing to the back post where Neilson's ambitious volley sailed over.
For the visitors, John McGrath was at the heart of Burton's best moves. After Greg Pearson had drawn in his marker with his back to goal inside the area, a sideways flick set up McGrath, but a superb save from City stopper Simon Eastwood denied him his moment of glory.
McGrath then curled a free-kick narrowly wide of the top left-hand corner but Burton boss Paul Peschisolido will be cursing Lee Bullock, who threw his body on the line fior Bradford and clattered into the post to deny Pearson a simple tap in after Eastwood had again produced a fine save from close range after Zesh Rehman's mistake inside the box.
In first half injury time McGrath sold a dummy to the Bradford defence that enabled him to crack a shot away on the edge of the area, but it was angled horribly wrong and of no danger to Eastwood.
The second half was less exciting than the first and one of City's best chances came when Albion 'keeper Artur Krysiak punched the ball only as far as Michael Flynn and with his second attempt the City midfielder, who has been in fine goalscoring mood with two goals in his last two, lifted the ball narrowly wide of the left hand post with the keeper stranded.
However, City's best chance of doubling their advantage came when they broke rapidly and outnumbered Burton three on two at the back. Neilson was in plenty of space down the right but instead of playing in his team-mate Evans opted for a chip over the 'keeper, which sailed over the bar and wasted the opportunity.
That miss proved crucial for McCall's side though, as Burton worked their way into a nice position inside the City box and Boertien burst into the area before curling into the top corner from a Richard Walker lay-off to draw his side level with seven minutes remaining.
McCall threw on Michael Boulding and City went with a three-pronged attack in an attempt to salvage the win, but they failed to muster any other chances of note and a point, given their inability to really shake off Burton all game, seems a fair result on reflection.
BCTID MOM - There were good performances from Steve Williams, Michael Flynn, Chris Brandon and Gareth Evans but this was a pleasing performance from Simon Eastwood and the two saves he pulled off in the first half will do his confidence the world of good after many, myself included, questioned his place in the team in weeks gone by.
Saturday 29 August 2009
Bradford City 2 - 0 Torquay - Match Report
League Two
Saturday 29th August 2009
One criticism of City in the past has been that they have not secured enough 'ugly' wins, much like Lincoln had done at Valley Parade two weeks ago, but today they overcame Torquay without ever playing any fantastic football to win back-to-back matches and take them up the fourteenth in the table.
Stuart McCall kept with the side that had overcome Cheltenham 5-4 at Whaddon Road last weekend, which meant James Hanson was deployed down the middle and the former Guiseley man made it two from two since being shifted upfront, with a well taken header on the stroke of half-time to put City ahead.
Hanson's goal was one the few highlights from what was a generally drab game of football.
City had carved out an early chance in the fifth minute when Michael Flynn had slid a shot wide on his weaker left foot after a cross from Joe Colbeck but neither goalkeeper was troubled in the first half really as exciting goalmouth action was generally at a premium.
Colbeck himself saw his attempted chip over Gulls stopper Scott Bevan deflected over, following an assist from Flynn, and City were again off target when Gareth Evans, who was otherwise lively and involved with a number of neat touches, firing a half volley over the bar after a Hanson knock down from a long ball from Steve Williams.
If City are to be starved of genuine chances in future matches then they really do need to work on their set-pieces to exploit that angle of their game. Not for the first time this season Luke O'Brien wasted a free-kick from a good shooting position by firing off target, and perhaps a more suitable taker is his namesake, James, who swung in the free-kick from the right channel for Hanson to convert into the far corner to open the scoring.
Torquay looked a poor side this afternoon and look destined for a relegation battle this season unless they can offer a bit more spark in future. They did pick up slightly after the break, upping the tempo just after the re-start, but it wasn't until the final ten minutes that City 'keeper Simon Eastwood had a proper save to make, collecting a dipping volley that Nicky Wroe had fired straight at him.
City failed to muster any exciting chances themselves either though, the best they could manage was a tame Evans shot straight at Bevan after Flynn had played in the former Macclesfield man on the edge of the area, and a Hanson header that rolled off Evans' body and safely though to Bevan.
Paul Buckle will have been disappointed that Tim Sills couldn't have done better with a great chance in the final few minutes of the game which, if converted, would have drawn his side level. Skipper Chris Hargreaves made an embarassing hash of a header inside the area minutes earlier but Sills' miss was even worse after Eastwood spilled a cross and the Torquay man fired back into the arms of the grateful 'keeper from point blank range.
McCall had, by this point, turned to the bench to try and put the game to bed and young winger Scott Neilson ran himself into several good positions and won a few corners but will be disappointed with one heavy touch that, if controlled better, could have put him in on goal. However, City's other sub, former Gull Chris Brandon, showed him how it was done in the last minute of the game by heading down a lofted pass in behind the defence from Flynn, marching on at goal and coolly sliding home past Bevan for his first goal in City colours.
It was far from a classic performance from City but the result was all that mattered given recent home fixtures such as Port Vale when we have played pretty football but come away without a win. We managed to register another clean sheet, although the goalkeeping position will still be giving McCall food for thought after a late blunder nearly cost City the win.
BCTID MOM - I wouldn't give many of the City men anything above a six out of ten today to be honest but Gareth Evans was one of the picks of the bunch, with another hard-working performances and several tidy little flicks that linked up well with Joe Colbeck on the right. He is starting to develop a decent little partnership with James Hanson by the looks of things.
Saturday 29th August 2009
One criticism of City in the past has been that they have not secured enough 'ugly' wins, much like Lincoln had done at Valley Parade two weeks ago, but today they overcame Torquay without ever playing any fantastic football to win back-to-back matches and take them up the fourteenth in the table.
Stuart McCall kept with the side that had overcome Cheltenham 5-4 at Whaddon Road last weekend, which meant James Hanson was deployed down the middle and the former Guiseley man made it two from two since being shifted upfront, with a well taken header on the stroke of half-time to put City ahead.
Hanson's goal was one the few highlights from what was a generally drab game of football.
City had carved out an early chance in the fifth minute when Michael Flynn had slid a shot wide on his weaker left foot after a cross from Joe Colbeck but neither goalkeeper was troubled in the first half really as exciting goalmouth action was generally at a premium.
Colbeck himself saw his attempted chip over Gulls stopper Scott Bevan deflected over, following an assist from Flynn, and City were again off target when Gareth Evans, who was otherwise lively and involved with a number of neat touches, firing a half volley over the bar after a Hanson knock down from a long ball from Steve Williams.
If City are to be starved of genuine chances in future matches then they really do need to work on their set-pieces to exploit that angle of their game. Not for the first time this season Luke O'Brien wasted a free-kick from a good shooting position by firing off target, and perhaps a more suitable taker is his namesake, James, who swung in the free-kick from the right channel for Hanson to convert into the far corner to open the scoring.
Torquay looked a poor side this afternoon and look destined for a relegation battle this season unless they can offer a bit more spark in future. They did pick up slightly after the break, upping the tempo just after the re-start, but it wasn't until the final ten minutes that City 'keeper Simon Eastwood had a proper save to make, collecting a dipping volley that Nicky Wroe had fired straight at him.
City failed to muster any exciting chances themselves either though, the best they could manage was a tame Evans shot straight at Bevan after Flynn had played in the former Macclesfield man on the edge of the area, and a Hanson header that rolled off Evans' body and safely though to Bevan.
Paul Buckle will have been disappointed that Tim Sills couldn't have done better with a great chance in the final few minutes of the game which, if converted, would have drawn his side level. Skipper Chris Hargreaves made an embarassing hash of a header inside the area minutes earlier but Sills' miss was even worse after Eastwood spilled a cross and the Torquay man fired back into the arms of the grateful 'keeper from point blank range.
McCall had, by this point, turned to the bench to try and put the game to bed and young winger Scott Neilson ran himself into several good positions and won a few corners but will be disappointed with one heavy touch that, if controlled better, could have put him in on goal. However, City's other sub, former Gull Chris Brandon, showed him how it was done in the last minute of the game by heading down a lofted pass in behind the defence from Flynn, marching on at goal and coolly sliding home past Bevan for his first goal in City colours.
It was far from a classic performance from City but the result was all that mattered given recent home fixtures such as Port Vale when we have played pretty football but come away without a win. We managed to register another clean sheet, although the goalkeeping position will still be giving McCall food for thought after a late blunder nearly cost City the win.
BCTID MOM - I wouldn't give many of the City men anything above a six out of ten today to be honest but Gareth Evans was one of the picks of the bunch, with another hard-working performances and several tidy little flicks that linked up well with Joe Colbeck on the right. He is starting to develop a decent little partnership with James Hanson by the looks of things.
Wednesday 26 August 2009
Whaddon Road victory marks the start of a new era
Without a win or even a goal to their name ahead of their trip down to Cheltenham last weekend, even the most optimistic of City fans couldn't have been confident of us taking the three points from Whaddon Road, but City boss Stuart McCall surprised everyone by naming a youthful side that justified his decision only minutes into the match.
James O'Brien, resitricted to substitute appearances in the fixtures so far, scored on his first start and Gareth Evans, Steve Williams and James Hanson were also on the scoresheet in a 5-4 thriller.
McCall made the bold decision to drop his captain Peter Thorne along with Chris Brandon, and responded to calls from the fans to move James Hanson from the left wing upfront, where his aerial ability could offer a threat to the home side. With the directors watching on from the stands, McCall's re-think on team selection may have been one last throw of the dice, but it was the type of move us fans were crying out for at the back end of last season, when the journeymen failed to inspire, and it may have just kept him his job.
The shaky defensive performance aside, it was a very pleasing win and for me, signified a real turning point in Stuart McCall's managerial career.
In my very first blog, outlining my expectations for the season, I said that the influx of young players this season could spark a revival in the clubs fortunes and I think that is what we saw on Saturday. Both Williams and Hanson have settled in well as they begin their professional careers, and Evans has endeared himself to the fans with a number of hard-working and committed displays. It is inevitable that these young lads will make mistakes from time to time and there will be times when they get shown up by their inexperience, but these players are the way forward for City under McCall - whether finances have forced us down this route or not.
If you were to list the good and bad things Stuart has done in his time as City manager then the most glaring positive is his ability to lure players into the club with what Mark Lawn described as "an infectious enthusiasm". Getting the most of the big name signings like Paul McLaren, Graeme Lee and Michael Boulding has proven beyond him, but with the younger players, a different story has often been told. Scott Loach, Nicky Law and Dean Furman and the three most striking examples of youngsters that have come to Valley Parade looking a bit green and in need of first team football, but by the time they have left they have looked rejuvenated players for their experience at City. Loach went on to play for England under 21's when back at Watford and both Law and Furman were widely coveted in the summer when looking for their next move.
There are also the examples of Luke O'Brien and, to some degree, Joe Colbeck, who have won player of the year awards under McCall and become first team regulars. With Colbeck, I say, to some degree, because he has only played well upon returning from a loan spell at Darlington and injuries hampered his progression last season, but he may have done enough to earn a move to Oldham in the not so distant future and that would earn City a transfer fee or, at worst, a tribunal.
In light of the speculation surrounding Colbeck's future it is pleasing to see that the club have targeted Scott Neilson from Cambridge City as a possible replacement, rather that winding back to last season when they would have taken someone like Steve Jones on loan or handed a week-to-week deal to someone like Keith Gillespie. Neilson has been earning rave reviews for his performances for Cambridge and has attaracted interest from several league clubs, earning himself a trial at Norwich and Derby recently. Like Williams and Hanson, he will not be the finished article, but he is likely to play with the right attitude and convince the boss that he does have what it takes to make a league footballer. Brentford were one team that adopted a similar approach last season and were rewarded when they won the title, and even if promotion is missed out on this season, City are at least investing in players that have potential value years down the line.
The main reason responsible for City's financial troubles of the last decade was that they paid over-the-top wages to players that had no re-sale value. The likes of Ashley Ward and Benito Carbone were hard to move on once City became relegated and even in the pre-season just gone, it took quite a bit of time to move on McLaren and Lee and convince the likes of Boulding and Thorne to take pay-cuts - delaying rebuilding for the season ahead. With young lads, likely to be paid only a few hundred quid a week, players are easily expendible if money becomes an issue and we need to cut back.
Whether the deal for Neilson goes through or not remains to be seen but at the time of writing City have agreed a fee for the winger and fingers crossed he arrives in time to face Torquay on Saturday.
All the side appears to be lacking now is a proper goalkeeper to organise the backline, but we are only four games into the season and if youth does turn out to be the way forward, at least McCall has stumbled across it at such an early stage of the season.
James O'Brien, resitricted to substitute appearances in the fixtures so far, scored on his first start and Gareth Evans, Steve Williams and James Hanson were also on the scoresheet in a 5-4 thriller.
McCall made the bold decision to drop his captain Peter Thorne along with Chris Brandon, and responded to calls from the fans to move James Hanson from the left wing upfront, where his aerial ability could offer a threat to the home side. With the directors watching on from the stands, McCall's re-think on team selection may have been one last throw of the dice, but it was the type of move us fans were crying out for at the back end of last season, when the journeymen failed to inspire, and it may have just kept him his job.
The shaky defensive performance aside, it was a very pleasing win and for me, signified a real turning point in Stuart McCall's managerial career.
In my very first blog, outlining my expectations for the season, I said that the influx of young players this season could spark a revival in the clubs fortunes and I think that is what we saw on Saturday. Both Williams and Hanson have settled in well as they begin their professional careers, and Evans has endeared himself to the fans with a number of hard-working and committed displays. It is inevitable that these young lads will make mistakes from time to time and there will be times when they get shown up by their inexperience, but these players are the way forward for City under McCall - whether finances have forced us down this route or not.
If you were to list the good and bad things Stuart has done in his time as City manager then the most glaring positive is his ability to lure players into the club with what Mark Lawn described as "an infectious enthusiasm". Getting the most of the big name signings like Paul McLaren, Graeme Lee and Michael Boulding has proven beyond him, but with the younger players, a different story has often been told. Scott Loach, Nicky Law and Dean Furman and the three most striking examples of youngsters that have come to Valley Parade looking a bit green and in need of first team football, but by the time they have left they have looked rejuvenated players for their experience at City. Loach went on to play for England under 21's when back at Watford and both Law and Furman were widely coveted in the summer when looking for their next move.
There are also the examples of Luke O'Brien and, to some degree, Joe Colbeck, who have won player of the year awards under McCall and become first team regulars. With Colbeck, I say, to some degree, because he has only played well upon returning from a loan spell at Darlington and injuries hampered his progression last season, but he may have done enough to earn a move to Oldham in the not so distant future and that would earn City a transfer fee or, at worst, a tribunal.
In light of the speculation surrounding Colbeck's future it is pleasing to see that the club have targeted Scott Neilson from Cambridge City as a possible replacement, rather that winding back to last season when they would have taken someone like Steve Jones on loan or handed a week-to-week deal to someone like Keith Gillespie. Neilson has been earning rave reviews for his performances for Cambridge and has attaracted interest from several league clubs, earning himself a trial at Norwich and Derby recently. Like Williams and Hanson, he will not be the finished article, but he is likely to play with the right attitude and convince the boss that he does have what it takes to make a league footballer. Brentford were one team that adopted a similar approach last season and were rewarded when they won the title, and even if promotion is missed out on this season, City are at least investing in players that have potential value years down the line.
The main reason responsible for City's financial troubles of the last decade was that they paid over-the-top wages to players that had no re-sale value. The likes of Ashley Ward and Benito Carbone were hard to move on once City became relegated and even in the pre-season just gone, it took quite a bit of time to move on McLaren and Lee and convince the likes of Boulding and Thorne to take pay-cuts - delaying rebuilding for the season ahead. With young lads, likely to be paid only a few hundred quid a week, players are easily expendible if money becomes an issue and we need to cut back.
Whether the deal for Neilson goes through or not remains to be seen but at the time of writing City have agreed a fee for the winger and fingers crossed he arrives in time to face Torquay on Saturday.
All the side appears to be lacking now is a proper goalkeeper to organise the backline, but we are only four games into the season and if youth does turn out to be the way forward, at least McCall has stumbled across it at such an early stage of the season.
Tuesday 18 August 2009
Bradford City 0 - 2 Lincoln City - Match Report
League Two
Tuesday 18th August 2009
Peter Jackson piled the pressure on his former Bradford team-mate Stuart McCall as his Lincoln side ran out two nil victors in a poor game at Valley Parade.
McCall wasn't helped by an enforced change after Steven O'Leary presumably picked up a knock in the warm up but nevertheless his side were their own worst enemies at times tonight with some suicidal defending.
The frustrating thing for City tonight was that Lincoln looked a poor team that were there for the taking but the Bantams squandered a pair of guilt-edged chances just before the break that could have put the game to bed by half time.
Most of the early exchanges had been nothing more than half-chances, Cian Hughton's bobbling cross-cum-shot evading all his team mates and Shane Clarke getting the ball trapped under his feet in a dangerous area allowing Luke O'Brien to clear.
City's best early chance fell to Steve Williams who headed tamely at one-time City target Rob Birch and although Zesh Rehman pulled out a vital block to deny on loan Peterborough striker Rene Howe, that was the end of 'good' parts of City's performance tonight as they reverted back to making several basic errors and squandering several glaring opportunities to net their first goal of the season.
Lincoln, too, were guilty of some horror defending, Janos Kovacs' intended chest back for Birch was intercepted by James Hanson but the ball would not fall quicky enough for the lanky striker and he was dispossessed before being able to rattle off a volley and an even better chance fell to Michael Flynn from the spot. Gareth Evans had worked his way into a position down the right and after Peter Thorne had dummied at the near post, Hanson won a corner with a flick at the near post. From the resulting set-play Thorne forced Clarke into handling and conceding a penalty, but Flynn blasted his spot-kick straight at Birch, who parried high into the sky to prevent an easy rebound.
Thorne saw a flying header blocked at close range and Lee Bullock almost followed up immediately after but saw his curling shot diverted wide by Kovacs, who atoned for his earlier blunder, and Brandon should also have done better with a glorious scoring opportunity with a Thorne flick on that was asking to be volleyed home, but with which he tried to check back inside and was dispossesed.
Those chances had been interspersed around some Lincoln replies though, and Chris Fagan should have done better with an air-shot inside the area after Rehman had failed to cut out a long ball, whilst Williams was lucky not to have conceded a penalty after appearing to handle inside the box.
In the second half the chances appeared to dry up for City and, as on Saturday, they often failed to offer any genuine attacking threat in the final third of the field.
They also failed to eradicate the defensive howlers and a sure sign of things to come came when Ramsden and Rehman both made a meal of headers inside their area, Simon Eastwood dived over the ball as he attempted to collect, and the trio were only spared humilatation when O'Brien made a crucial last ditch block.
Williams and Eastwood's lack of communication almost resulted in a soft goal before Williams and Rehman scrambled back onto the line to hook clear but it was only a matter of time until the Imps broke the deadlock, and that they did just over the hour when Ramsden was caught the wrong side of his man and hauled down Clarke, with the subsequent penalty converted by Howe.
At Notts County, City had capitualated once they had slipped a goal behind, and the same was true tonight as yet more comical defending allowed the visitors to double their advantage. Williams attempted a bizarre clearance and jumped over the top of the ball, and Fagan took advantage of some questionable positioning from Eastwood in goal to roll in a tame second.
From an attacking point of view, City offered little going forward although a bright moment came when Brandon sliced the visitor's defence open with a superb ball down the right channel which was crossed by Ramsden, but Lincoln headed clear to avert the danger before City could trouble Birch, and that was generally the story of their second half.
Gareth Evans had been promoted to the starting eleven at the expense of Michael Boulding after a lively cameo on Saturday, but he failed to take his chance tonight and should have done better with a pair of low shots inside the final five minutes, both of which were well blocked in quick succession.
McCall had thrown on Joe Colbeck to try widen the play and stretch Lincoln outwide, but he was ineffectual, and City were ultimately left ruing their chances quandered at the end of the first half with the only other goalbound efforts of note a weak Michael Boulding shot from the edge of the area and a powerful drive from Flynn that comfortably cleared the crossbar.
BCTID MOM: Rene Howe - nobody stood out for me tonight to be honest in what was a poor game between two poor, error prone sides. Luke O'Brien and Chris Brandon were probably the pick of a a bad City bunch but neither were better than a 6/10 and so Rene Howe gets the nod from me for netting the goal that changed the face of the game and for keeping City's defence up to work on several other occasions throughout the night.
Tuesday 18th August 2009
Peter Jackson piled the pressure on his former Bradford team-mate Stuart McCall as his Lincoln side ran out two nil victors in a poor game at Valley Parade.
McCall wasn't helped by an enforced change after Steven O'Leary presumably picked up a knock in the warm up but nevertheless his side were their own worst enemies at times tonight with some suicidal defending.
The frustrating thing for City tonight was that Lincoln looked a poor team that were there for the taking but the Bantams squandered a pair of guilt-edged chances just before the break that could have put the game to bed by half time.
Most of the early exchanges had been nothing more than half-chances, Cian Hughton's bobbling cross-cum-shot evading all his team mates and Shane Clarke getting the ball trapped under his feet in a dangerous area allowing Luke O'Brien to clear.
City's best early chance fell to Steve Williams who headed tamely at one-time City target Rob Birch and although Zesh Rehman pulled out a vital block to deny on loan Peterborough striker Rene Howe, that was the end of 'good' parts of City's performance tonight as they reverted back to making several basic errors and squandering several glaring opportunities to net their first goal of the season.
Lincoln, too, were guilty of some horror defending, Janos Kovacs' intended chest back for Birch was intercepted by James Hanson but the ball would not fall quicky enough for the lanky striker and he was dispossessed before being able to rattle off a volley and an even better chance fell to Michael Flynn from the spot. Gareth Evans had worked his way into a position down the right and after Peter Thorne had dummied at the near post, Hanson won a corner with a flick at the near post. From the resulting set-play Thorne forced Clarke into handling and conceding a penalty, but Flynn blasted his spot-kick straight at Birch, who parried high into the sky to prevent an easy rebound.
Thorne saw a flying header blocked at close range and Lee Bullock almost followed up immediately after but saw his curling shot diverted wide by Kovacs, who atoned for his earlier blunder, and Brandon should also have done better with a glorious scoring opportunity with a Thorne flick on that was asking to be volleyed home, but with which he tried to check back inside and was dispossesed.
Those chances had been interspersed around some Lincoln replies though, and Chris Fagan should have done better with an air-shot inside the area after Rehman had failed to cut out a long ball, whilst Williams was lucky not to have conceded a penalty after appearing to handle inside the box.
In the second half the chances appeared to dry up for City and, as on Saturday, they often failed to offer any genuine attacking threat in the final third of the field.
They also failed to eradicate the defensive howlers and a sure sign of things to come came when Ramsden and Rehman both made a meal of headers inside their area, Simon Eastwood dived over the ball as he attempted to collect, and the trio were only spared humilatation when O'Brien made a crucial last ditch block.
Williams and Eastwood's lack of communication almost resulted in a soft goal before Williams and Rehman scrambled back onto the line to hook clear but it was only a matter of time until the Imps broke the deadlock, and that they did just over the hour when Ramsden was caught the wrong side of his man and hauled down Clarke, with the subsequent penalty converted by Howe.
At Notts County, City had capitualated once they had slipped a goal behind, and the same was true tonight as yet more comical defending allowed the visitors to double their advantage. Williams attempted a bizarre clearance and jumped over the top of the ball, and Fagan took advantage of some questionable positioning from Eastwood in goal to roll in a tame second.
From an attacking point of view, City offered little going forward although a bright moment came when Brandon sliced the visitor's defence open with a superb ball down the right channel which was crossed by Ramsden, but Lincoln headed clear to avert the danger before City could trouble Birch, and that was generally the story of their second half.
Gareth Evans had been promoted to the starting eleven at the expense of Michael Boulding after a lively cameo on Saturday, but he failed to take his chance tonight and should have done better with a pair of low shots inside the final five minutes, both of which were well blocked in quick succession.
McCall had thrown on Joe Colbeck to try widen the play and stretch Lincoln outwide, but he was ineffectual, and City were ultimately left ruing their chances quandered at the end of the first half with the only other goalbound efforts of note a weak Michael Boulding shot from the edge of the area and a powerful drive from Flynn that comfortably cleared the crossbar.
BCTID MOM: Rene Howe - nobody stood out for me tonight to be honest in what was a poor game between two poor, error prone sides. Luke O'Brien and Chris Brandon were probably the pick of a a bad City bunch but neither were better than a 6/10 and so Rene Howe gets the nod from me for netting the goal that changed the face of the game and for keeping City's defence up to work on several other occasions throughout the night.
Sunday 16 August 2009
Bradford City 0 - 0 Port Vale - Match Report
15th August 2009 - League Two
After a 5-0 hammering by Notts County on the opening day of the season, followed by another cup thrashing at Notts Forest in midweek, City came into this fixture with plenty to prove, but left manager Stuart McCall with plenty of positives to take from the game as he attempts to get City’s season back on track.
A defence which lacked organisation in those preceding games appeared much tighter this afternoon, and Port Vale never looked in any danger of scoring from open play.
The Valiants did, however, threaten from set pieces and Robert Taylor’s corner in the third minute curled dangerously to the back post before City skipper Peter Thorne hacked clear.
At the other end, Thorne should have done better with a chance created by James Hanson. A cross from the left-hand touchline was ushered to the edge of the six yard box by Chris Brandon but Thorne could only prod his shot into the hands of Valiant’s ‘keeper Chris Martin from close-range.
John McCombe had a half chance for the visitors when he volleyed off target after Hanson’s header had been returned to the edge of box, but a better chance fell to Lee Collins, who headed over unmarked from another corner.
Antony Griffin could have perhaps done better with a long range effort at an unguarded net after Simon Eastwood made a hash of an attempted punch clear, but fired over the bar, whilst the impressive Steve Williams averted a one on one situation with Robert Taylor with a crucial sliding tackle after his man had skipped past him into the area.
McCombe directed yet another header off target for Micky Adams’ men before Hanson again looked the man that may unlock the Vale defence with a wicked ball across the face of goal that was asking to be tapped in, but was put behind for a corner.
By this point City were starting to offer more of a threat and the lively Chris Brandon saw his corner headed wide by Thorne. This was Brandon’s best game in a City shirt although he may feel as though he could have done better with a tame effort down the centre of goal that ran straight into Martin’s hands with six minutes of the half remaining.
In the second half City began to stamp a little bit more authority on the game and played some neat, passing football, however, they lacked a final ball with Luke O’Brien inparticular guilty of wasting decent crossing opportunities.
Brandon remained at the heart of City’s best moves in his free role and City had two other half chances through Michael Flynn, whose ambitious chip from 25-yards sailed over the bar, and O’Brien whose daisy-cutter failed to trouble Martin.
As the game wore on the tiring Brandon and the ineffective Michael Boulding were both withdrawn as McCall attempted to change things from the bench and the lively Gareth Evans impressed on several occasions, firstly dispossessing an opponent on the edge of the Vale area and playing into the path of Ramsden, but Vale cleared the resulting cross with Hanson lurking at the back post, and secondly when trying his luck with an ambitious half-volley – to demonstrate he is a bright young prospect playing with confidence.
Hanson played very well for City despite being shifted out onto the wing and he gave the fans another glimpse of his decent looking left foot with a low shot in injury time, but neither side could break the deadlock and a point was a fair result on reflection.
City must do much more from an attacking point of view in future matches, but after suffering two heavy defeats in the run up to Saturday, this was a step forward, a pleasing point, and one upon which we can aim to build upon on Tuesday night against Lincoln.
BCTID MOM: Simon Ramsden was excellent at right back, defending solidly and also offering support from an attacking point of view whilst James Hanson was a constant aerial threat on the left wing, perhaps asking to be moved upfront for City's next game after such a promising display, however, Steve Williams was the one that shone for me. It is remarkable to think this lad has been playing non-league and mixing amateur football with a job as a part-time barber as he looked accomplished and totally at ease at the back. His superb last ditch tackle on Robert Taylor prevented a one on one with Simon Eastwood and he looked very comfortable in possession, something that cannot be said about some of the other centre backs City have had in recent seasons.
After a 5-0 hammering by Notts County on the opening day of the season, followed by another cup thrashing at Notts Forest in midweek, City came into this fixture with plenty to prove, but left manager Stuart McCall with plenty of positives to take from the game as he attempts to get City’s season back on track.
A defence which lacked organisation in those preceding games appeared much tighter this afternoon, and Port Vale never looked in any danger of scoring from open play.
The Valiants did, however, threaten from set pieces and Robert Taylor’s corner in the third minute curled dangerously to the back post before City skipper Peter Thorne hacked clear.
At the other end, Thorne should have done better with a chance created by James Hanson. A cross from the left-hand touchline was ushered to the edge of the six yard box by Chris Brandon but Thorne could only prod his shot into the hands of Valiant’s ‘keeper Chris Martin from close-range.
John McCombe had a half chance for the visitors when he volleyed off target after Hanson’s header had been returned to the edge of box, but a better chance fell to Lee Collins, who headed over unmarked from another corner.
Antony Griffin could have perhaps done better with a long range effort at an unguarded net after Simon Eastwood made a hash of an attempted punch clear, but fired over the bar, whilst the impressive Steve Williams averted a one on one situation with Robert Taylor with a crucial sliding tackle after his man had skipped past him into the area.
McCombe directed yet another header off target for Micky Adams’ men before Hanson again looked the man that may unlock the Vale defence with a wicked ball across the face of goal that was asking to be tapped in, but was put behind for a corner.
By this point City were starting to offer more of a threat and the lively Chris Brandon saw his corner headed wide by Thorne. This was Brandon’s best game in a City shirt although he may feel as though he could have done better with a tame effort down the centre of goal that ran straight into Martin’s hands with six minutes of the half remaining.
In the second half City began to stamp a little bit more authority on the game and played some neat, passing football, however, they lacked a final ball with Luke O’Brien inparticular guilty of wasting decent crossing opportunities.
Brandon remained at the heart of City’s best moves in his free role and City had two other half chances through Michael Flynn, whose ambitious chip from 25-yards sailed over the bar, and O’Brien whose daisy-cutter failed to trouble Martin.
As the game wore on the tiring Brandon and the ineffective Michael Boulding were both withdrawn as McCall attempted to change things from the bench and the lively Gareth Evans impressed on several occasions, firstly dispossessing an opponent on the edge of the Vale area and playing into the path of Ramsden, but Vale cleared the resulting cross with Hanson lurking at the back post, and secondly when trying his luck with an ambitious half-volley – to demonstrate he is a bright young prospect playing with confidence.
Hanson played very well for City despite being shifted out onto the wing and he gave the fans another glimpse of his decent looking left foot with a low shot in injury time, but neither side could break the deadlock and a point was a fair result on reflection.
City must do much more from an attacking point of view in future matches, but after suffering two heavy defeats in the run up to Saturday, this was a step forward, a pleasing point, and one upon which we can aim to build upon on Tuesday night against Lincoln.
BCTID MOM: Simon Ramsden was excellent at right back, defending solidly and also offering support from an attacking point of view whilst James Hanson was a constant aerial threat on the left wing, perhaps asking to be moved upfront for City's next game after such a promising display, however, Steve Williams was the one that shone for me. It is remarkable to think this lad has been playing non-league and mixing amateur football with a job as a part-time barber as he looked accomplished and totally at ease at the back. His superb last ditch tackle on Robert Taylor prevented a one on one with Simon Eastwood and he looked very comfortable in possession, something that cannot be said about some of the other centre backs City have had in recent seasons.
Monday 10 August 2009
County drubbing leaves more questions than answers
"It was not good enough" were the words of City boss Stuart McCall in the aftermath of City's 5-0 defeat at the hands of Notts County at Meadow Lane on Saturday.
All the resentment towards the players and the doubts over McCall's ability as a manager resurfaced only one game into the season and it is a result that has thrown up more questions than answers for McCall.
The fact we lost to the bookmakers favourites for the division we can live with - County appear to have strengthened well over the summer with Ben Davies and Lee Hughes two players probably capable of playing at a much higher level - however it was the manner and magnitude of the defeat that has been hard to stomach.
Having had the summer to re-group, one was hopeful that we may have gone to Meadow Lane and made a real fist of it. In reality, however, it was a game that we never got into and the defending for all of the goals (a reminder is here for those that want to suffer again http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/8192255.stm) was shambolic.
City's side lacked organisation and leadership and it threw up three questions for me, the first of which has been nagging me all summer....should City have appointed a third assistant?
One of the common criticisms of the current managerial team is that they lack an ability to change things during matches and adapt and react when City fall behind and are playing poorly. When McCall said he was staying on as manager I hoped that he would look to appoint someone with a bit of experience to give him a helping hand for this season, but such a signing never materialised, and it now seems to be a case of hoping its third time lucky with the current set up.
The second question the County thrashing posed is that of whether we should have released Rhys Evans?
Evans was a virtually ever present last season and was a steady keeper that was reliable and made very few mistakes. He was experienced and respected, and was not afraid of bawling at his defenders and getting them into position. By releasing him at the end of the season, citing financial reasons, City have for me, created an unnecessary problem. They have probably saved a few hundred quid a week in wages by replacing him with a loan rookie, and although it is far too early to draw conclusions on the ability of current stopper Simon Eastwood, it is questionable whether Valley Parade is a good place to learn your trade at present. There is a lot of frustration in the stands and the current players and management will not be given much time before the fans get on their backs. An experienced stopper like Evans would have been better equipped to shrug off such criticism and would be likely to be less fazed compared to a young lad who is likely to play off confidence.
Thirdly, is Peter Thorne the correct choice of team captain? I am a big fan of Thorne and think he is a very important player at City, but he is not a vocal player. Although respected in the dressing room, he can become isolated upfront in matches when things aren't going City's way and in playing upfront, he isn't involved in the action as much as someone like Lee Bullock would, who are positioned in the thick of things and perhaps in a better position to marshall the troops to weather the storm.
So, for me, it is a combination of those three factors that led to the on field chaos on Saturday. City cannot be as bad as they showed on Saturday as they committed basic errors that would not have looked out of place in Sunday League and things must surely get better hereon in?
All the pressure is on McCall once more, and even though changes are likely to be made in the cup game at Forest on Wednesday (the ageing Thorne for one likely to be rested) I think its imperitive that we sort out the lack of leadership and organisation on field otherwise we risk bumbling around like a set of lost sheep again and will make life difficult for outselves once more.
All the resentment towards the players and the doubts over McCall's ability as a manager resurfaced only one game into the season and it is a result that has thrown up more questions than answers for McCall.
The fact we lost to the bookmakers favourites for the division we can live with - County appear to have strengthened well over the summer with Ben Davies and Lee Hughes two players probably capable of playing at a much higher level - however it was the manner and magnitude of the defeat that has been hard to stomach.
Having had the summer to re-group, one was hopeful that we may have gone to Meadow Lane and made a real fist of it. In reality, however, it was a game that we never got into and the defending for all of the goals (a reminder is here for those that want to suffer again http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/8192255.stm) was shambolic.
City's side lacked organisation and leadership and it threw up three questions for me, the first of which has been nagging me all summer....should City have appointed a third assistant?
One of the common criticisms of the current managerial team is that they lack an ability to change things during matches and adapt and react when City fall behind and are playing poorly. When McCall said he was staying on as manager I hoped that he would look to appoint someone with a bit of experience to give him a helping hand for this season, but such a signing never materialised, and it now seems to be a case of hoping its third time lucky with the current set up.
The second question the County thrashing posed is that of whether we should have released Rhys Evans?
Evans was a virtually ever present last season and was a steady keeper that was reliable and made very few mistakes. He was experienced and respected, and was not afraid of bawling at his defenders and getting them into position. By releasing him at the end of the season, citing financial reasons, City have for me, created an unnecessary problem. They have probably saved a few hundred quid a week in wages by replacing him with a loan rookie, and although it is far too early to draw conclusions on the ability of current stopper Simon Eastwood, it is questionable whether Valley Parade is a good place to learn your trade at present. There is a lot of frustration in the stands and the current players and management will not be given much time before the fans get on their backs. An experienced stopper like Evans would have been better equipped to shrug off such criticism and would be likely to be less fazed compared to a young lad who is likely to play off confidence.
Thirdly, is Peter Thorne the correct choice of team captain? I am a big fan of Thorne and think he is a very important player at City, but he is not a vocal player. Although respected in the dressing room, he can become isolated upfront in matches when things aren't going City's way and in playing upfront, he isn't involved in the action as much as someone like Lee Bullock would, who are positioned in the thick of things and perhaps in a better position to marshall the troops to weather the storm.
So, for me, it is a combination of those three factors that led to the on field chaos on Saturday. City cannot be as bad as they showed on Saturday as they committed basic errors that would not have looked out of place in Sunday League and things must surely get better hereon in?
All the pressure is on McCall once more, and even though changes are likely to be made in the cup game at Forest on Wednesday (the ageing Thorne for one likely to be rested) I think its imperitive that we sort out the lack of leadership and organisation on field otherwise we risk bumbling around like a set of lost sheep again and will make life difficult for outselves once more.
Friday 7 August 2009
Notts County v City - Match Preview
8th August 2009
The wait is finally over. The first game of the season is finally here.
For the second year running, City will once again kick off their season against Notts County, although the Magpies side that lines up at Meadow Lane tomorrow will be much different to that which made the journey up to West Yorkshire twelve months ago.
Summer signings Luke Rodgers, Karl Hawley and Lee Hughes are just three new options available to County boss Ian McParland and there is a huge weight of expectation now on County, who struggled in the lower reaches of the table last season.
The eye-catching appointment of Sven-Goran Eriksson as Director of Football that followed their takeover by a Middle Eastern consortium has thrust them into the media limelight and they seem certain to break their average attendance from last season, which stood at a mere 4,446, but they must have improved drastically from last season to live up to expectations and it is possible Bradford may spoil Sven’s party tomorrow afternoon. Bradford will think back to Stuart McCall's homecoming in 2007 when Francis Green and Macclesfield failed to read the script and ground out a deserved 1-1 draw. This time round it may be City that play party poopers.
Although Bradford disappointed themselves last season they still finished twenty points clear of Notts County and have a side more than capable of beating County. In fact, the Bantams have held the upper hand between the two sides in McCall’s time in charge. In 2007/8 City ran out 3-1 (Meadow Lane) and 3-0 (Valley Parade) winners, whilst last season they won 2-1 (Valley Parade) but lost 3-1 in Nottingham.
One man that has enjoyed playing in those fixtures is Peter Thorne. He has netted in all four fixtures, netting seven goals in total, and he must be itching to line up again here as he looks to start the season in rampant goalscoring mood as he did last term.
Apart from a long-term injury to Omar Daley, Stuart McCall has pretty much a full strength team to choose from and that is likely to mean that debuts are handed to Simon Eastwood in goal, Simon Ramsden at right back and Michael Flynn in central midfield. Fit again Chris Brandon will be like a new signing on the wing and Michael Boulding, who has taken a pay-cut to stay with City and who has rebuffed interest from Notts County over the summer, is likely to be Thorne’s strike partner. Even without the departed Nicky Law and Dean Furman that is still a strong team in its own right and I think the value lies in opposing Notts County tomorrow.
Bradford are a best priced 3/1 (Ladbrokes) for the win whilst the draw is 5/2 with the same firm, so dutching at those prices would ensure a return of just over 5/6 for the pair coupled. However, better odds are available elsewhere and although the Bradford/draw on the double chance is 867/1000 with Ladbrokes, laying them on Betfair at the minute, where the backers are queuing up for some 2.06, offers the best means of opposing County.
Lay Notts County at 2.06 (Betfair)
Peter Thorne anytime goalscorer at 12/5 (Skybet)
The wait is finally over. The first game of the season is finally here.
For the second year running, City will once again kick off their season against Notts County, although the Magpies side that lines up at Meadow Lane tomorrow will be much different to that which made the journey up to West Yorkshire twelve months ago.
Summer signings Luke Rodgers, Karl Hawley and Lee Hughes are just three new options available to County boss Ian McParland and there is a huge weight of expectation now on County, who struggled in the lower reaches of the table last season.
The eye-catching appointment of Sven-Goran Eriksson as Director of Football that followed their takeover by a Middle Eastern consortium has thrust them into the media limelight and they seem certain to break their average attendance from last season, which stood at a mere 4,446, but they must have improved drastically from last season to live up to expectations and it is possible Bradford may spoil Sven’s party tomorrow afternoon. Bradford will think back to Stuart McCall's homecoming in 2007 when Francis Green and Macclesfield failed to read the script and ground out a deserved 1-1 draw. This time round it may be City that play party poopers.
Although Bradford disappointed themselves last season they still finished twenty points clear of Notts County and have a side more than capable of beating County. In fact, the Bantams have held the upper hand between the two sides in McCall’s time in charge. In 2007/8 City ran out 3-1 (Meadow Lane) and 3-0 (Valley Parade) winners, whilst last season they won 2-1 (Valley Parade) but lost 3-1 in Nottingham.
One man that has enjoyed playing in those fixtures is Peter Thorne. He has netted in all four fixtures, netting seven goals in total, and he must be itching to line up again here as he looks to start the season in rampant goalscoring mood as he did last term.
Apart from a long-term injury to Omar Daley, Stuart McCall has pretty much a full strength team to choose from and that is likely to mean that debuts are handed to Simon Eastwood in goal, Simon Ramsden at right back and Michael Flynn in central midfield. Fit again Chris Brandon will be like a new signing on the wing and Michael Boulding, who has taken a pay-cut to stay with City and who has rebuffed interest from Notts County over the summer, is likely to be Thorne’s strike partner. Even without the departed Nicky Law and Dean Furman that is still a strong team in its own right and I think the value lies in opposing Notts County tomorrow.
Bradford are a best priced 3/1 (Ladbrokes) for the win whilst the draw is 5/2 with the same firm, so dutching at those prices would ensure a return of just over 5/6 for the pair coupled. However, better odds are available elsewhere and although the Bradford/draw on the double chance is 867/1000 with Ladbrokes, laying them on Betfair at the minute, where the backers are queuing up for some 2.06, offers the best means of opposing County.
Lay Notts County at 2.06 (Betfair)
Peter Thorne anytime goalscorer at 12/5 (Skybet)
Thursday 6 August 2009
Thoughts on the Coming Season
The 2009/10 season marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Bradford City fire disaster and will also define Stuart McCall’s reign as Bradford City manager.
Two seasons of underachievement in League Two under McCall has seen the whirlwind of hysteria that accompanied his appointment blow out of town and the sobering reality now facing the former City skipper is that if promotion cannot be achieved at the third time of asking, then it may be time to walk away from his beloved Bantams.
City were armed with a bumper budget last season and made several eyecatching additions to their side, such as Paul McLaren, Graeme Lee and Chris Brandon, but despite an excellent start to the campaign, in which they won five of their first six league matches, their promotion challenge petered out after Christmas and a wretched run in March – which saw them pick up just three points from a possible twenty seven – consigned them to a third season in the bottom tier of the Football League, without even having a tilt at the play-offs.
Inevitably, this has meant McCall has been forced to trim his budget for the forthcoming season and high earners such as McLaren and Lee have been shown the door whilst the club were in no position to compete with Rotherham and Oldham for the permanent captures of Nicky Law and Dean Furman respectively – two men that made such a big impression on loan at Valley Parade last season.
With the heart of the side ripped out, the mood in pre-season has been rather sombre, but in seasons gone by the exorbitant expectation levels have hindered, rather than helped, the club that is the best supported side in the division.
No longer is there talk of league domination as in previous seasons; the general consensus is that a play-off finish would be an achievable target to aim for and there is more anxiety than expectation in the stands, but McCall still has the crux of a competent League Two side and perhaps his new recruitment policy could be the catalyst for improvement from last season.
A barber from Bamber Bridge (Steve Williams) and a shelf-stacker from Guiseley (James Hanson) have been plucked from non-league circles and perhaps their enthusiasm for the game could be just what City are looking for, after a season where the big names, supposedly used to handling pressure situations, buckled under the weight of expectation and crawled into their shells when they were needed to come out fighting.
What Bradford have proved over the years is that they do things the hard way – whether that be fighting for promotion or relegation – and being forced to bring their budget in line with the rest of the division, and faced with the prospect of losing their prodigal son McCall, may just turn out to be the shocks required to bring this underachieving club out of hibernation.
Two seasons of underachievement in League Two under McCall has seen the whirlwind of hysteria that accompanied his appointment blow out of town and the sobering reality now facing the former City skipper is that if promotion cannot be achieved at the third time of asking, then it may be time to walk away from his beloved Bantams.
City were armed with a bumper budget last season and made several eyecatching additions to their side, such as Paul McLaren, Graeme Lee and Chris Brandon, but despite an excellent start to the campaign, in which they won five of their first six league matches, their promotion challenge petered out after Christmas and a wretched run in March – which saw them pick up just three points from a possible twenty seven – consigned them to a third season in the bottom tier of the Football League, without even having a tilt at the play-offs.
Inevitably, this has meant McCall has been forced to trim his budget for the forthcoming season and high earners such as McLaren and Lee have been shown the door whilst the club were in no position to compete with Rotherham and Oldham for the permanent captures of Nicky Law and Dean Furman respectively – two men that made such a big impression on loan at Valley Parade last season.
With the heart of the side ripped out, the mood in pre-season has been rather sombre, but in seasons gone by the exorbitant expectation levels have hindered, rather than helped, the club that is the best supported side in the division.
No longer is there talk of league domination as in previous seasons; the general consensus is that a play-off finish would be an achievable target to aim for and there is more anxiety than expectation in the stands, but McCall still has the crux of a competent League Two side and perhaps his new recruitment policy could be the catalyst for improvement from last season.
A barber from Bamber Bridge (Steve Williams) and a shelf-stacker from Guiseley (James Hanson) have been plucked from non-league circles and perhaps their enthusiasm for the game could be just what City are looking for, after a season where the big names, supposedly used to handling pressure situations, buckled under the weight of expectation and crawled into their shells when they were needed to come out fighting.
What Bradford have proved over the years is that they do things the hard way – whether that be fighting for promotion or relegation – and being forced to bring their budget in line with the rest of the division, and faced with the prospect of losing their prodigal son McCall, may just turn out to be the shocks required to bring this underachieving club out of hibernation.
Friday 31 July 2009
League Two Season Preview 2009/10
With the start of the season little over a week away, here is my rough and ready guide to teams contesting League Two this season, and where my money will be going.....
Accrington
Stanley won two of their first three games last season but a poor run of form between August and September, in which they lost seven from eight, dragged them down into the lower reaches, from which they never escaped. 19th at Christmas, they finished in 16th position and could never force their way into the top-half of the table.
Over the summer Michael Symes (Shrewsbury) and Luke Joyce (Carlisle) have been brought in. Jimmy Ryan, Phil Edwards and Chris Turner have all signed new contracts, although Kenny Arthur has left for Rochdale.
Off the field developments have seen Eric Whalley, chairman for 14 years, step down and move on to take up a director of football role at Chester. Local businessman David O’Neill, who has already invested £150k in the club, has replaced him as chairman and despite initial concerns the club may be wound up over an order issued by HM Revenue and Customs, those fears have been allayed and John Coleman’s side will line up away at Rotherham on the opening day of the season.
Aldershot
Last season was the first back in the League for the Shots, who went bust in 1992. They surprised a lot of people and their excellent home record in the first half of the season guaranteed their survival. They enjoyed a terrific run of form in November in particular, winning four on the spin and then went into the New Year with the play-offs within reach. However, their form nosedived thereafter as the surprise factor worse off and they played out the remainder of the season comfortably in the bottom half of the table, finishing 15th.
John Halls (unattached), Adam Hinshelwood (unattached), Ben Herd (Shrewsbury) and Clark Masters (Southend) have moved in with Rhys Day moving outwards to Oxford. The club’s fans have rallied around to build up a transfer kitty for manager Gary Waddock, believed to be around the £40k mark, which may help bring in further reinforcements.
One issue that remains confusing to the outsider though is the situation regarding goalkeeper Nikki Bull. There were rumours that Bull was prepared to give up the game full-time and go semi-pro, spending more time on his other interest, property, and that led to the club signing Clark Masters. However, there is a statement doing the rounds in which Bull has rubbished the suggestions he wants to quit, in which he maintains he wants to play at as high a level as possible because he is reaching his peak at the age of 27. It will be interesting to see who lines up between the sticks in their opener at home to Darlington.
Barnet
The Bees started last season in terrible fashion, losing eight of their opening nine fixtures and were fortunate that Luton, Bournemouth and Rotherham all started the season with hefty points deductions, propping up the table and keeping them clear of trouble. Consistently down the wrong end of the table, a poor run of results meant manager Paul Fairclough moved into a directors role mid-way into the season, allowing Ian Hendon to take charge on a caretaker basis. The London side were only six points off the drop zone after a March defeat to Darlington, but three wins and a draw from their next four pulled them clear of danger for a 17th placed finish. Several inspired loan signings, in particularly the capture of veteran striker, Paul Furlong, were responsible for the upturn in fortunes, and Hendon was offered a two year contract in reward.
Experienced midfielder Micah Hyde has signed as captain and ‘keeper Jake Cole (Q.P.R) has also been brought in along with Yannick Bolasie, who joins on loan from Plymouth and is the cousin of Lomana LuaLua. Outbound are Max Porter (Rushden) and Cliff Akurang (Rushden, loan). Adam Birchall, Michael Leary, Nicky Nicolau and Ran Kadoch have all been released, whilst Henson will no longer be available for selection, making the decision to hang up his boots. Gary Breen has signed a new deal to become player/assistant manager.
Bournemouth
The Cherries were docked 17 points last season for failing to satisfy league rules for exiting administration so were behind before they had even kicked a ball. Up until Christmas they were still in danger of dropping out of the league but some good form in January and February saw them close the gap to safety, and with Chester and Grimsby struggling, they leapfrogged them around March time, ending the season in a rich vein of form by winning all of their last three games, and finishing nine points away from 23rd spot.
Survival must have been a huge relief to their supporters after a series of managers came and went to add to the off the field turmoil that had been holding the club back. Kevin Bond started the season as boss but was sacked in September and his replacement, Jimmy Quinn, also left the club after a short stay with Eddie Howe taking over and becoming the youngest manager in the league at 31. It was under Howe that the Cherries played their best football and were able to pull clear of relegation.
Off the field, events at Dean Court have resembled a soap opera. Adam Murry failed in an attempt to buy 50 % of the club’s shares from Paul Baker in late 2008, after missing a deadline, but during the summer his takeover, as part of a consortium with Jeff Mostyn, Steve Sly, Eddie Mitchell and Neill Blake, has finally been completed. Mitchell has been appointed chairman and has temporarily fended off HM Revenue and Customs, to whom monies are owed. His task is now to persuade the Football League to lift the transfer embargo that has been in place at the club.
Danny Hollands is likely to miss the start of the season with a knee injury, along with captain Kevin Cooper, who is sidelined for six months. Karl Broadhurst is training with the club and is interested in re-signing after being released by Hereford, and there are rumours that Harry Redknapp may do the club a favour by sending several youngsters out on loan before the season starts. Time is running out for Howe to assemble his side before the season starts and the eleven men that are thrown out onto the field at Bury on the 8th August may well be a collection of strangers.
Bradford
The Bantams made an explosive start to the last season, winning five of their opening six fixtures with veteran striker Peter Thorne in rampant mood, rocketing to the top of the goalscoring charts. Stuart McCall’s side proved tough to beat at home, losing only twice at Valley Parade all season, but they failed to replicate that form away from home and an injury to their main creative force, Omar Daley, knocked them for six. An inability to break down teams at home also meant points were squandered an having been in contention for an automatic promotion place for the first half of the season, their form gradually faded away and they even missed out on the play-offs, with a wretched run stretching between March and April, in which they picked up just three points from a possible twenty seven on offer, chiefly responsible. Locked in a battle at the top with Bury, Brentford and Exeter behind leaders Wycombe at Christmas, Bradford ended up finishing in 9th position, two points out of the play-offs.
Failure to win promotion has forced McCall into cutting his player budget and Paul McLaren (Tranmere) and skipper Graeme Lee (Notts County) have been pushed out of the door along with Kyle Nix (Mansfield), Paul Heckingbottom (Mansfield), Barry Conlon (Grimsby) and Rhys Evans (released). Paul Arnison has had his contract cancelled by mutual consent and is training with Darlington.
The decision to release Evans has baffled many fans with no experienced backup stopper on the club’s books and McCall has taken a gamble in bringing in Huddersfield Town’s young ‘keeper Simon Eastwood on loan to battle with Jon McLaughlin (who has played only one senior game for the club) for the goalkeeping jersey.
Key men Nicky Law and Dean Furman, on loan last season, have also decided to further their careers elsewhere, joining Rotherham and Oldham respectively, which has left Bradford’s engine room looking very week, especially since Oldham also pipped them to the signature of Andy Holdsworth who had looked set to sign from Huddersfield.
However, McCall has managed to persuade Zesh Rehman (Q.P.R) to make his loan deal permanent and Gareth Evans (Macclesfield), Jon Bateson (Blackburn) and Simon Ramsden (Rochdale) have also signed. McCall has also dipped into non-league circles to snap up centre-half Steve Williams (Bamber Bridge) and striker James Hanson (Guiseley). Experienced hitmen Michael Boulding and Peter Thorne have agreed to take paycuts to remain at Valley Parade and their experience will benefit those youngsters desperate to make a career in the game, but until the central midfield issue is resolved, their squad doesn’t look any more capable than a top ten finish, perhaps sneaking into the play-offs for seventh spot.
Burton
Burton started last season under Nigel Clough and took a while to find their stride. However, once they did, their promotion juggernaut was unstoppable and by winning all five league games in November they were catapulted from outside the play-offs to the top of the division. Thereon in their promotion never looked in any doubt. League sponsors Blue Square paid out all bets on them for the title early in March after they were nineteen points clear, and although they took their foot off the gas once Clough had left for Derby, they still finished two points clear of Cambridge. Caretaker manager Roy McFarland departed before the end of the season and was replaced by Paul Peschisolido, who had been managing St Patrick’s Athletic in Ireland, but the jury is out as to whether he is right man for the job – afterall, the club were already promoted when he came in.
Over the summer they have increased the capacity of their Pirelli Stadium by 10 % to 6,912, and the possibility of extra revenue will help support the new signings that have been made with Paul Boertien (Walsall), Richard Walker (Bristol Rovers), Jacques Maghoma (unattached) and Martin Butler (undisclosed) arriving. It is believed that Peschisolido has also broken the club’s record transfer in bringing in Russ Penn from Kidderminster (undisclosed) whilst they have beaten off competition from Torquay to land experienced defender Guy Branston (Kettering, undisclosed), the lynchpin of the tightest defence in the conference last season. Shane Redmond (Forest) and Robin Shroot (Birmingham) have come in on loan, with Lee Morris (Hereford) and player of the year Jake Buxton (Derby) moving on to pastures new.
Bury
Before the arrival of Alan Knill the mood around Gigg Lane was rather depressing. Forced into entering administration at the turn of the decade, the Shakers were relegated into the bottom tier in 2001-2 and appeared to be going nowhere fast under Chris Casper, Keith Alexander or Chris Brass. However, the club has been moving in the totally opposite direction under Knill, who took over mid-way through the 2007/8 season and guided them from third bottom to thirteenth come the end of the season. The former Rotherham boss continued to make great strides last season and his team were in with a fighting chance of automatic promotion all season. However, they narrowly missed out by virtue of inferior goal difference to Wycombe (agonisingly it was one goal) and were knocked out in the play-offs in the semi-finals by Shrewsbury on penalties to compound their misery.
They have managed to keep hold of prized asset Andy Bishop, who has now scored 50 goals in 127 starts for the club, and although he is expected to miss the first month of the season having recently undergone a double hernia operation, they have signed well over the summer by bringing in Danny Carlton (Carlisle), Damien Allen (Morecambe) and Ryan Lowe (Chester) and should manage in the meantime. Ben Futcher and Richie Baker have extended their deals, although Paul Morgan (Macclesfield) and Steven Haslam (released) have departed, along with Glynn Hurst, who has retired.
Cheltenham
The Robins endured a miserable season in League One last season, capped off with relegation and financial uncertainty. They were consistently battling the drop and their inability to string together a sequence of wins consigned them to the drop. 22nd at Christmas, that is where they finished at the end of the season. Manager Keith Downing was replaced soon into the season but his replacement Martin Allen did not enjoy a honeymoon period like so many other new managers benefit from. His team helped set a new club record of fifteen games without a win and although the club avoided administration they were forced to put all of their players up for sale and there is still a grey cloud hanging over the club financially with talk of a possible £100k loan from the council materializing to ease cash flow problems.
Paul Connor (Lincoln), Ian Westlake (Wycombe), Shane Higgs (Leeds), Damian Spencer (Ketting), Lloyd Owusu (Adelaide) and John Finnegan (Kidderminster) have all moved on with David Hutton (Tottenham), Michael Pook (Swindon), Barry Hayles (Leicester), Julian Allsop (free), Tom Denton (Huddersfield, loan), Oliver Bozanic (Reading, loan) and Justin Richards (Kidderminster) all arriving at the Abbey Business Stadium.
Chesterfield
The Spireites underachieved again last season as they finished tenth, six points adrift of the play-offs, and that has led to the decision not to renew the contract of former manager Lee Richardson. They started the season around the top ten but had dropped down to mid-table by Christmas and ultimately gave themselves too much ground to make up. Former Oldham boss John Sheridan is now in charge and has brought in Drewe Talbot (Luton), Mark Allott (Tranmere) and Ian Breckin (Forest), whilst the club have also managed to keep hold of prolific forward Jack Lester, who was subject of a £50k bid from the league’s rich boys, Notts County. Gregor Robertson, Derek Niven and Aaron Downes have also extended their deals.
It looks an exciting time to be a Chesterfield fan again with work on a new £13m stadium already underway and with former Sheffield Wednesday chairman David Allan now the majority shareholder at the club and able to pump in finances. With Lester guaranteed to provide goals and Ian Breckin returning to the club they have some very good players for this level, although Sheridan is still looking for another striker and a winger before the season begins.
Crewe
The Railwaymen started the season with some good progress in the cup competitions but that seemed to hinder their performances in the league and they were in the drop zone at the end of September. Bottom of the table at Christmas, they did manage to drag themselves out of trouble with a flurry of wins in February but a failure to win any of their last ten saw them relegated by four points, in 22nd place.
Although Dario Gradi has now been moved upstairs into a technical directors capacity, the emphasis on young players will remain at Gresty Road and assistant Steve Davis has identified Ashley Westwood, Luke Murphy and Byron Moore as three players that may break into Gudjon Thordarson’s first team this season. The half a million strike pairing of Antony Elding and Calvin Zola remain at the club and have been joined by David Button (Tottenham, loan), Mat Mitchel-King (Histon) and Patrick Ada (Histon, undisclosed) although the majority of transfer activity over the summer has seen players depart. Rotherham had picked off Tom Pope (150k) and Mark Carrington (MK Dons), Colin Daniel (Macclesfield), Michael O’Connor (Scunthorpe, £250k), Dan Woodwards (MK Dons), Julien Baudet (Colorado Rapids) and Eugen Bopp (released) have also moved on.
Dagenham & Redbridge
The Daggers joined the League for the first time in 2007/8 and thus managed their highest ever finishing position when 8th last term. They thrashed Chester 6-0 on the opening day and their talented young squad surprised many in the early stages of the season as they flirted with automatic promotion and the play-offs. 7th at the end of September, they had dropped to 10th by Christmas, and it was around the top ten they remained for the remainder of the season, missing out on the playoffs by a point. Plenty of their young players were being coveted though and Brentford have raided Sam Saunders, Danny Foster and Ben Strevens. Jonathon Boardman (Woking) and Glen Southam (Hereford) are two other names that have moved on, although their fans will be delighted that 21-goal Paul Benson has rejected a move to Shrewsbury to remain at Victoria Road. He will be joined by new arrivials Abu Ogogo (Arsenal), Will Antwi (Wycombe), Joshua Scott (Hayes & Yeading) and Stuart Thurgood (Grays) this season. Colourful keeper Tony Roberts has signed a new one year deal and will one again line up between the sticks.
Darlington
Big things were expected of Darlington last season and they overcame a slow start with a strong run of form around November that took them to the top of the table. However, with the league being so fiercely contested last season, a few defeats sat them slip into the play-offs at Christmas, and when they entered administration in February, the ten points deduction that incurred knocked them down into mid-table. They ended the season in twelfth position, seven points off seventh placed Shrewsbury.
Things have been messy at the Northern Echo Darlington Arena over the summer with the club attempting to exit administration. They have found a buyer, Raj Singh, but there were recently false rumours that the club had been closed down and many of the staff had been sacked. Singh is still locked in talks with the administrators as he attempts to finalise a deal, but The Quakers recently had to cancel a pre-season friendly with Middlesbrough because they didn’t have enough players. Colin Todd, who managed Bradford under similar circumstances five years ago, has replaced Dave Penney (who has moved to Oldham) as manager and has brought in Dean Windass as player/assistant manager. Captain Steve Foster has remained but was one of only three players Todd inherited when he took charge of the club. Pawel Abbot (Oldham), Ryan Valentine (Hereford), Neil Austin (Released), Alan White (Luton), Robin Hulbert (Barrow), Ricky Ravenhill (Notts County) and Rob Purdie (Oldham) have left. Todd has replaced them with Chris Lumson (Carlisle), Lee Thorpe (Rochdale), Gary Smith (Brentford), Jeff Smith (Carlisle) and David Knight (Middlesbrough).
Grimsby
The Mariners were similar to Barnet last season in that they were fortunate that there were three teams that started the season with points deductions. They struggled really badly and had picked up only two wins from twenty one games by Christmas. By March things still hadn’t picked up and they had dropped into the relegation zone, but the loan signing of Barry Conlon from Bradford kept them up as the bald-headed assassin lashed in five goals in eight games and they survived by four points, at the expense of Chester.
Over the summer Mike Newell has made Barry Conlon’s loan move from Bradford permanent and Chris Jones (Swansea), Nick Colgan (Sunderland), Michael Leary (free), Peter Sweeney (Leeds), Adrian Forbes (Millwall) and Joe Widdowson (West Ham) have also moved to Blundell Park. Lewis Emanuel will not be joining from Luton though, despite being given an opportunity to link up again with Newell – who took him to Luton in 2006.
Peter Till (Walsall)and Andy Taylor (released) have left, although the club have rejected an initial bid from Peterborough for 19-year old captain and defender Ryan Bennett.
Hereford
The Bulls finished rock bottom of League One last season with an awful away record to blame. They lost 17 on their travels, and finished 16 points adrift of safety, so it is little wonder John Trewick has gutted his side over the summer. Lee Morris (Burton), Darren Dennehy (Cardiff, loan), Glen Southam (Dagenham), Adam Bartlett (Kidderminster), Ryan Green (Bristol Rovers), Keith Lowe (Kidderminster), Leon Constantine (Northampton), Ryan Valentine (Darlington), Marc Pugh (Shrewsbury), Kenny Lunt (Sheff Wed), Jamie Tolley (undisclosed) and Darren Jones (forest Green Rovers) have all arrived. Nigerian International striker Benedict Akwuegba is on trial.
Heading out of the exit door were Dean Beckwith (Northampton), Steve Guinan (Northampton) and Toumani Diagouraga (Peterborough). Jose Veiga’s contract ended and Richard Jackson, Steven O’Leary, Simon Johnson, Kris Taylor, Jack McLeod, Michael D’Agostino, Clint Easton and Karl Broadhurst have all been released.
Off the field, their ground has failed a health and safety inspection and will face a reduced capacity this season until matters are resolved.
Lincoln
The Red Imps talked the talk last season but failed to walk the walk and finished down in 13th. They didn’t get going until October but after winning five of six that month, marched up from 19th to 10th and within a point of the play-offs. However, that was pretty much the highlight of their season, which was also rocked when manager Peter Jackson was diagnosed with throat cancer, from which he has now fully recovered. The former Huddersfield Town boss has signed a new contract after being given the all clear but they have been priced out of a move for Peterborough striker Rene Howe, who made a favourable impression on loan at Rochdale and Morecambe in the last two seasons, and the player their fans are eager to see signed up instead is journeyman crock Michael Bridges.
Star man Dany N’Guessan has jumped ship to join Leicester along with another integral member of their side, Lee Frecklington, who has been snapped up by fast-improving Peterborough. Ben Wright (Macclesfield), Lee Beevers (Colchester), Ayden Duffy (Corby) and Adrian Patulea (Leyton Orient) have also departed. Moving to Sincil Bank are Cian Hughton (Tottenham), Jamie Clarke (Rotherham), Chris Fagan (unattached), Richard Butcher (Notts County), Paul Connor (Cheltenham) and Joe Heath (Forest loan) but it is questionable whether their side is now as strong as that which started last season.
Macclesfield
Macclesfield never looked in danger of going anywhere last season and Keith Alexander’s side were comfortable in lower mid-table. 14th at Christmas, they slid down to 20th at the end of the season, but with plenty starting on minus points, they were still safe by ten points.
Over the summer Izak Reid has penned a new two year contract and Hanza Bensherif (Forest), Ross Draper (Hednesford), Colin Daniel (Crewe), Paul Morgan (Bury), Carl Tremarco (Wrexham), Ben Wright (Lincoln), Steve Reed (Weymouth), Kyle Wilson (FC United of Manchester) and Nat Brown (Wrexham) have arrived. Gareth Evans has joined Bradford, Simon Yeo has retired and Richard Walker, Francis Green, Jordan Hadfield, Jamie Tolley, Danny Thomas, James Jennings, Ahmed Deen, Rikki Bains, Neil Harvey, Christian Millar, Matt Towns and Chris Hirst have all been released.
Morecambe
The Shrimps struggled in the first half of the season and at the end of October were lingering in the lower half of the division. Although 16th going into the New Year, they did improve in 2009 and ended the season in 9th, although they never really looked as though they were good enough to make the play-offs. Had their early seen form (10 pts from first 14 games) matched their later form (53 points in 32 games) and been maintained over the course of the season, they would have made the top seven, so a better start is needed this time around.
As the club plays their last season at Christie Park – work began on the proposed site of their new stadium in spring 2009 and is expected to be completed next summer – they will be without Rene Howe whose loan from Peterborough expired. Sammy McIlroy will start the season with injury concerns over Neil Wainright and Jim Bentley whilst Adam Yates has left for Port Vale and Damien Allen for Bury, but Ian Craney (Huddersfield, loan), Phil Jevons (Huddersfield, loan) and Laurence Wilson (Chester) have arrived and under McIlroy they should punch above their weight once more.
Northampton
The Cobblers started last season in League One reasonably well and were tenth at the end of October. Even going into the New Year they were in mid-table, but the seven point gap to the drop-zone shortened in the following months and despite tonking Crewe 5-1 at home, their form nosedived, they lost four on the spin, and became involved in a relegation scrap. Even going into the last day of the season they had a chance of surviving but a 3-0 loss to Leeds at Elland Road sealed their relegation – in 21st place by a point.
Jason Crowe was offered a new deal but rejected and has moved on to Leeds. Mark Hughes (Walsall), Liam Dolman (released), Ikechi Anya (Sevilla), Leon Constantine (Hereford) and Courtney Cameron (Aston Villa, undisclosed) have also moved on whilst the club are involved in a dispute with Motherwell over Giles Coke. The SPL club have announced Coke as their new signing, although Northampton claim he agreed to a contract extension with them.
Billy McKay (Leicester), Dean Beckwith (Hereford) and Steve Guinan (Hereford) have arrived along with former Man Utd defender John Curtis, who ended last season at Wrexham.
Notts County
The Magpies struggled last season and never looked like they’d win promotion to League One. 17th at Christmas, their decidedly average side was rarely out of the bottom half of the season and they finished the season in 19th, closer to relegation than the play-offs.
However, the mood around the club has lifted over the summer and Ian McParland’s side are now the talk of the division following considerable investment from a Middle-Eastern Consortium. Peter Trembling and Peter Willett, with the financial backing of Munto Finance Ltd, head the consortium and have taken over control of the club from the club’s supporters trust. Following confirmation of their takeover in July, former Lazio, England and Man City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson was appointed their director of football, bringing with him sidekick Tord Grip, who has taken up a position as general advisor.
At least for the time being, McParland remains in charge and has signed Lee Hughes (Oldham), Graeme Lee (Bradford), Luke Rodgers (Yeovil), Ben Davies (Shrewsbury), Ricky Ravenhill (Darlington), Craig Westcarr (Kettering) and Brendan Moloney (Forest loan). Winger Matt Richie, who spend last season on loan at Dagenham, is a loan target from Portsmouth.
Leaving Meadow Lane are Myles Weston (Brentford) and Richard Butcher (Lincoln).
Port Vale
The Valiants won their league opener at Luton but mainly struggled under Lee Sinnott and a poor run of form in September, in which they lost six on the spin (which led to Sinnott’s sacking), kept them rooted down the bottom of the table. They could never really make in inroads on those above them, were in the lower reaches going into the New Year, and finished in 18th. Dean Glover was appointed Sinnott’s replacement but resigned towards the end of the season with the club still struggling. Micky Adams was appointed his replacement in June.
Doug Loft (Birhgton), Adam Yates (Morecambe) and Tommy Fraser (Brighton) have all arrived. Geoff Horsfield – who has contracted swine flu recently – has been appointed their assistant manager but it is finances rather than the virus that is preventing further signings. Trialisits Stuart Tomlinson, Kris Taylor and Lassana Sidibe all played in a friendly win over Wolves but the club cannot afford to sign any of them.
Rochdale
Last season was an all too familiar story for Dale. They played some attractive football, fully deserved their spot in the top seven, but once again came up short in the play-offs. Keith Hill’s side often flirted with automatic promotion in a league that was tightly knit at the top, but they finished the season in 6th and hopes of a promotion to League One were dashed by Gillingham.
Rochdale won’t need to improve their side much to figure again this season and there has been little transfer activity at Spotland. Captain Gary Jones has signed a new two year deal and Kenny Arthur (Accringon) and Matthew Edwards (Leeds) have arrived, with right-back Simon Ramsden moving across the Pennines to Bradford.
Talks with Oldham about a possible ground share are only in the early stages and still very informal.
Rotherham
The Millers started last season with a -17 points deduction, for failing to satisfy league rules for exiting administration, but soon made a dent into that by winning all of their first three league games. With Bournemouth and Luton beginning their seasons sluggishly, Mark Robins’ side soon pulled clear of relegation and up the table. They ended the season in 14th, 11 points adrift of 7th place.
Due to a dispute with the landlords of their traditional home Millmoor, Rotherham will once again play their home games at the Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield next season. However, since Tony Stewart took over the club are in a much stronger position financially and have been able to splash the cash over the summer bringing in Tom Pope from Crewe (£150k) to equal their previous club record signings. In Nicky Law (Sheffield United) they have also secured the services of one of, if not the, most talented midfielders in the division. Paul Warne (Yeovil), Jamie Anderson (Sheffield United) and Kevin Ellsion (Chester) have also signed with Jamie Clarke (Lincoln), Alex Rhodes (Oxford), Steven Cann, Peter Holmes, Omar Garcia, Jamie Yates, Marc Newsham, Andy Todd and Tom Cahill (all released) moving in the other direction. Marc Burchill has returned to Scotland to sign for Kilmarnock and Reuben Reid – who has attracted interest from Blackpool, MK Dons and an unnamed Premiership club – may also be heading out of the exit door, with a £200k price tag believed to have been slapped on his head.
Shrewsbury
The Shrews started the season well and maintained an excellent home record throughout the year, losing only three at the Pro Star Stadium all season and winning fourteen. However, they drew a remarkable twelve away games (winning just three) and that was the difference between automatic promotion and the play-offs (they finished 7th). Although they overcame Bury on penalties in their play-off semi-final they were beaten 1-0 by Gillingham in the final.
Lewis Neal (Carlisle), Craig Disley (Bristol Rovers), Chris Neal (Preston, nominal) and Dean Holden (Falkirk) have joined over the summer and Omer Riza, Kelvin Langmead and Steven Leslie have extender their deals. The most notable departure is that of top-scorer Grant Holt, who has joined Norwich for an undisclosed amount. The Shrews have been knocked back in their attempts to sign Paul Benson from Dagenham as his replacement though. Ben Herd (Aldershot), Grant Holt (Norwich, undisc), Chris Humphrey (Motherwell), Michael Symes (Accringon), Ben Davies (Notts County) and Marc Pugh (Hereford) are others to have departed. Michael Jackson could be out of action for another three months with a knee injury.
Torquay United
The Gulls finished 4th in the Blue Square Premier last season and were promoted back into the Football League, after a two year absence, after beating Cambridge 2-0 in the play-off final.
Paul Buckle has brought in Ben Joyce (Swindon) and Scott Rendell (Peterobrough, loan) for the forthcoming season with Steve Woods and Roscoe D’Sane being released after their contracts expired. Striker Matt Green has joined Oxford on a year long loan.
Verdict
This is my 100 % book of what I feel the true prices for each team should be. The best prices currently available are bracketed.
Stanley won two of their first three games last season but a poor run of form between August and September, in which they lost seven from eight, dragged them down into the lower reaches, from which they never escaped. 19th at Christmas, they finished in 16th position and could never force their way into the top-half of the table.
Over the summer Michael Symes (Shrewsbury) and Luke Joyce (Carlisle) have been brought in. Jimmy Ryan, Phil Edwards and Chris Turner have all signed new contracts, although Kenny Arthur has left for Rochdale.
Off the field developments have seen Eric Whalley, chairman for 14 years, step down and move on to take up a director of football role at Chester. Local businessman David O’Neill, who has already invested £150k in the club, has replaced him as chairman and despite initial concerns the club may be wound up over an order issued by HM Revenue and Customs, those fears have been allayed and John Coleman’s side will line up away at Rotherham on the opening day of the season.
Aldershot
Last season was the first back in the League for the Shots, who went bust in 1992. They surprised a lot of people and their excellent home record in the first half of the season guaranteed their survival. They enjoyed a terrific run of form in November in particular, winning four on the spin and then went into the New Year with the play-offs within reach. However, their form nosedived thereafter as the surprise factor worse off and they played out the remainder of the season comfortably in the bottom half of the table, finishing 15th.
John Halls (unattached), Adam Hinshelwood (unattached), Ben Herd (Shrewsbury) and Clark Masters (Southend) have moved in with Rhys Day moving outwards to Oxford. The club’s fans have rallied around to build up a transfer kitty for manager Gary Waddock, believed to be around the £40k mark, which may help bring in further reinforcements.
One issue that remains confusing to the outsider though is the situation regarding goalkeeper Nikki Bull. There were rumours that Bull was prepared to give up the game full-time and go semi-pro, spending more time on his other interest, property, and that led to the club signing Clark Masters. However, there is a statement doing the rounds in which Bull has rubbished the suggestions he wants to quit, in which he maintains he wants to play at as high a level as possible because he is reaching his peak at the age of 27. It will be interesting to see who lines up between the sticks in their opener at home to Darlington.
Barnet
The Bees started last season in terrible fashion, losing eight of their opening nine fixtures and were fortunate that Luton, Bournemouth and Rotherham all started the season with hefty points deductions, propping up the table and keeping them clear of trouble. Consistently down the wrong end of the table, a poor run of results meant manager Paul Fairclough moved into a directors role mid-way into the season, allowing Ian Hendon to take charge on a caretaker basis. The London side were only six points off the drop zone after a March defeat to Darlington, but three wins and a draw from their next four pulled them clear of danger for a 17th placed finish. Several inspired loan signings, in particularly the capture of veteran striker, Paul Furlong, were responsible for the upturn in fortunes, and Hendon was offered a two year contract in reward.
Experienced midfielder Micah Hyde has signed as captain and ‘keeper Jake Cole (Q.P.R) has also been brought in along with Yannick Bolasie, who joins on loan from Plymouth and is the cousin of Lomana LuaLua. Outbound are Max Porter (Rushden) and Cliff Akurang (Rushden, loan). Adam Birchall, Michael Leary, Nicky Nicolau and Ran Kadoch have all been released, whilst Henson will no longer be available for selection, making the decision to hang up his boots. Gary Breen has signed a new deal to become player/assistant manager.
Bournemouth
The Cherries were docked 17 points last season for failing to satisfy league rules for exiting administration so were behind before they had even kicked a ball. Up until Christmas they were still in danger of dropping out of the league but some good form in January and February saw them close the gap to safety, and with Chester and Grimsby struggling, they leapfrogged them around March time, ending the season in a rich vein of form by winning all of their last three games, and finishing nine points away from 23rd spot.
Survival must have been a huge relief to their supporters after a series of managers came and went to add to the off the field turmoil that had been holding the club back. Kevin Bond started the season as boss but was sacked in September and his replacement, Jimmy Quinn, also left the club after a short stay with Eddie Howe taking over and becoming the youngest manager in the league at 31. It was under Howe that the Cherries played their best football and were able to pull clear of relegation.
Off the field, events at Dean Court have resembled a soap opera. Adam Murry failed in an attempt to buy 50 % of the club’s shares from Paul Baker in late 2008, after missing a deadline, but during the summer his takeover, as part of a consortium with Jeff Mostyn, Steve Sly, Eddie Mitchell and Neill Blake, has finally been completed. Mitchell has been appointed chairman and has temporarily fended off HM Revenue and Customs, to whom monies are owed. His task is now to persuade the Football League to lift the transfer embargo that has been in place at the club.
Danny Hollands is likely to miss the start of the season with a knee injury, along with captain Kevin Cooper, who is sidelined for six months. Karl Broadhurst is training with the club and is interested in re-signing after being released by Hereford, and there are rumours that Harry Redknapp may do the club a favour by sending several youngsters out on loan before the season starts. Time is running out for Howe to assemble his side before the season starts and the eleven men that are thrown out onto the field at Bury on the 8th August may well be a collection of strangers.
Bradford
The Bantams made an explosive start to the last season, winning five of their opening six fixtures with veteran striker Peter Thorne in rampant mood, rocketing to the top of the goalscoring charts. Stuart McCall’s side proved tough to beat at home, losing only twice at Valley Parade all season, but they failed to replicate that form away from home and an injury to their main creative force, Omar Daley, knocked them for six. An inability to break down teams at home also meant points were squandered an having been in contention for an automatic promotion place for the first half of the season, their form gradually faded away and they even missed out on the play-offs, with a wretched run stretching between March and April, in which they picked up just three points from a possible twenty seven on offer, chiefly responsible. Locked in a battle at the top with Bury, Brentford and Exeter behind leaders Wycombe at Christmas, Bradford ended up finishing in 9th position, two points out of the play-offs.
Failure to win promotion has forced McCall into cutting his player budget and Paul McLaren (Tranmere) and skipper Graeme Lee (Notts County) have been pushed out of the door along with Kyle Nix (Mansfield), Paul Heckingbottom (Mansfield), Barry Conlon (Grimsby) and Rhys Evans (released). Paul Arnison has had his contract cancelled by mutual consent and is training with Darlington.
The decision to release Evans has baffled many fans with no experienced backup stopper on the club’s books and McCall has taken a gamble in bringing in Huddersfield Town’s young ‘keeper Simon Eastwood on loan to battle with Jon McLaughlin (who has played only one senior game for the club) for the goalkeeping jersey.
Key men Nicky Law and Dean Furman, on loan last season, have also decided to further their careers elsewhere, joining Rotherham and Oldham respectively, which has left Bradford’s engine room looking very week, especially since Oldham also pipped them to the signature of Andy Holdsworth who had looked set to sign from Huddersfield.
However, McCall has managed to persuade Zesh Rehman (Q.P.R) to make his loan deal permanent and Gareth Evans (Macclesfield), Jon Bateson (Blackburn) and Simon Ramsden (Rochdale) have also signed. McCall has also dipped into non-league circles to snap up centre-half Steve Williams (Bamber Bridge) and striker James Hanson (Guiseley). Experienced hitmen Michael Boulding and Peter Thorne have agreed to take paycuts to remain at Valley Parade and their experience will benefit those youngsters desperate to make a career in the game, but until the central midfield issue is resolved, their squad doesn’t look any more capable than a top ten finish, perhaps sneaking into the play-offs for seventh spot.
Burton
Burton started last season under Nigel Clough and took a while to find their stride. However, once they did, their promotion juggernaut was unstoppable and by winning all five league games in November they were catapulted from outside the play-offs to the top of the division. Thereon in their promotion never looked in any doubt. League sponsors Blue Square paid out all bets on them for the title early in March after they were nineteen points clear, and although they took their foot off the gas once Clough had left for Derby, they still finished two points clear of Cambridge. Caretaker manager Roy McFarland departed before the end of the season and was replaced by Paul Peschisolido, who had been managing St Patrick’s Athletic in Ireland, but the jury is out as to whether he is right man for the job – afterall, the club were already promoted when he came in.
Over the summer they have increased the capacity of their Pirelli Stadium by 10 % to 6,912, and the possibility of extra revenue will help support the new signings that have been made with Paul Boertien (Walsall), Richard Walker (Bristol Rovers), Jacques Maghoma (unattached) and Martin Butler (undisclosed) arriving. It is believed that Peschisolido has also broken the club’s record transfer in bringing in Russ Penn from Kidderminster (undisclosed) whilst they have beaten off competition from Torquay to land experienced defender Guy Branston (Kettering, undisclosed), the lynchpin of the tightest defence in the conference last season. Shane Redmond (Forest) and Robin Shroot (Birmingham) have come in on loan, with Lee Morris (Hereford) and player of the year Jake Buxton (Derby) moving on to pastures new.
Bury
Before the arrival of Alan Knill the mood around Gigg Lane was rather depressing. Forced into entering administration at the turn of the decade, the Shakers were relegated into the bottom tier in 2001-2 and appeared to be going nowhere fast under Chris Casper, Keith Alexander or Chris Brass. However, the club has been moving in the totally opposite direction under Knill, who took over mid-way through the 2007/8 season and guided them from third bottom to thirteenth come the end of the season. The former Rotherham boss continued to make great strides last season and his team were in with a fighting chance of automatic promotion all season. However, they narrowly missed out by virtue of inferior goal difference to Wycombe (agonisingly it was one goal) and were knocked out in the play-offs in the semi-finals by Shrewsbury on penalties to compound their misery.
They have managed to keep hold of prized asset Andy Bishop, who has now scored 50 goals in 127 starts for the club, and although he is expected to miss the first month of the season having recently undergone a double hernia operation, they have signed well over the summer by bringing in Danny Carlton (Carlisle), Damien Allen (Morecambe) and Ryan Lowe (Chester) and should manage in the meantime. Ben Futcher and Richie Baker have extended their deals, although Paul Morgan (Macclesfield) and Steven Haslam (released) have departed, along with Glynn Hurst, who has retired.
Cheltenham
The Robins endured a miserable season in League One last season, capped off with relegation and financial uncertainty. They were consistently battling the drop and their inability to string together a sequence of wins consigned them to the drop. 22nd at Christmas, that is where they finished at the end of the season. Manager Keith Downing was replaced soon into the season but his replacement Martin Allen did not enjoy a honeymoon period like so many other new managers benefit from. His team helped set a new club record of fifteen games without a win and although the club avoided administration they were forced to put all of their players up for sale and there is still a grey cloud hanging over the club financially with talk of a possible £100k loan from the council materializing to ease cash flow problems.
Paul Connor (Lincoln), Ian Westlake (Wycombe), Shane Higgs (Leeds), Damian Spencer (Ketting), Lloyd Owusu (Adelaide) and John Finnegan (Kidderminster) have all moved on with David Hutton (Tottenham), Michael Pook (Swindon), Barry Hayles (Leicester), Julian Allsop (free), Tom Denton (Huddersfield, loan), Oliver Bozanic (Reading, loan) and Justin Richards (Kidderminster) all arriving at the Abbey Business Stadium.
Chesterfield
The Spireites underachieved again last season as they finished tenth, six points adrift of the play-offs, and that has led to the decision not to renew the contract of former manager Lee Richardson. They started the season around the top ten but had dropped down to mid-table by Christmas and ultimately gave themselves too much ground to make up. Former Oldham boss John Sheridan is now in charge and has brought in Drewe Talbot (Luton), Mark Allott (Tranmere) and Ian Breckin (Forest), whilst the club have also managed to keep hold of prolific forward Jack Lester, who was subject of a £50k bid from the league’s rich boys, Notts County. Gregor Robertson, Derek Niven and Aaron Downes have also extended their deals.
It looks an exciting time to be a Chesterfield fan again with work on a new £13m stadium already underway and with former Sheffield Wednesday chairman David Allan now the majority shareholder at the club and able to pump in finances. With Lester guaranteed to provide goals and Ian Breckin returning to the club they have some very good players for this level, although Sheridan is still looking for another striker and a winger before the season begins.
Crewe
The Railwaymen started the season with some good progress in the cup competitions but that seemed to hinder their performances in the league and they were in the drop zone at the end of September. Bottom of the table at Christmas, they did manage to drag themselves out of trouble with a flurry of wins in February but a failure to win any of their last ten saw them relegated by four points, in 22nd place.
Although Dario Gradi has now been moved upstairs into a technical directors capacity, the emphasis on young players will remain at Gresty Road and assistant Steve Davis has identified Ashley Westwood, Luke Murphy and Byron Moore as three players that may break into Gudjon Thordarson’s first team this season. The half a million strike pairing of Antony Elding and Calvin Zola remain at the club and have been joined by David Button (Tottenham, loan), Mat Mitchel-King (Histon) and Patrick Ada (Histon, undisclosed) although the majority of transfer activity over the summer has seen players depart. Rotherham had picked off Tom Pope (150k) and Mark Carrington (MK Dons), Colin Daniel (Macclesfield), Michael O’Connor (Scunthorpe, £250k), Dan Woodwards (MK Dons), Julien Baudet (Colorado Rapids) and Eugen Bopp (released) have also moved on.
Dagenham & Redbridge
The Daggers joined the League for the first time in 2007/8 and thus managed their highest ever finishing position when 8th last term. They thrashed Chester 6-0 on the opening day and their talented young squad surprised many in the early stages of the season as they flirted with automatic promotion and the play-offs. 7th at the end of September, they had dropped to 10th by Christmas, and it was around the top ten they remained for the remainder of the season, missing out on the playoffs by a point. Plenty of their young players were being coveted though and Brentford have raided Sam Saunders, Danny Foster and Ben Strevens. Jonathon Boardman (Woking) and Glen Southam (Hereford) are two other names that have moved on, although their fans will be delighted that 21-goal Paul Benson has rejected a move to Shrewsbury to remain at Victoria Road. He will be joined by new arrivials Abu Ogogo (Arsenal), Will Antwi (Wycombe), Joshua Scott (Hayes & Yeading) and Stuart Thurgood (Grays) this season. Colourful keeper Tony Roberts has signed a new one year deal and will one again line up between the sticks.
Darlington
Big things were expected of Darlington last season and they overcame a slow start with a strong run of form around November that took them to the top of the table. However, with the league being so fiercely contested last season, a few defeats sat them slip into the play-offs at Christmas, and when they entered administration in February, the ten points deduction that incurred knocked them down into mid-table. They ended the season in twelfth position, seven points off seventh placed Shrewsbury.
Things have been messy at the Northern Echo Darlington Arena over the summer with the club attempting to exit administration. They have found a buyer, Raj Singh, but there were recently false rumours that the club had been closed down and many of the staff had been sacked. Singh is still locked in talks with the administrators as he attempts to finalise a deal, but The Quakers recently had to cancel a pre-season friendly with Middlesbrough because they didn’t have enough players. Colin Todd, who managed Bradford under similar circumstances five years ago, has replaced Dave Penney (who has moved to Oldham) as manager and has brought in Dean Windass as player/assistant manager. Captain Steve Foster has remained but was one of only three players Todd inherited when he took charge of the club. Pawel Abbot (Oldham), Ryan Valentine (Hereford), Neil Austin (Released), Alan White (Luton), Robin Hulbert (Barrow), Ricky Ravenhill (Notts County) and Rob Purdie (Oldham) have left. Todd has replaced them with Chris Lumson (Carlisle), Lee Thorpe (Rochdale), Gary Smith (Brentford), Jeff Smith (Carlisle) and David Knight (Middlesbrough).
Grimsby
The Mariners were similar to Barnet last season in that they were fortunate that there were three teams that started the season with points deductions. They struggled really badly and had picked up only two wins from twenty one games by Christmas. By March things still hadn’t picked up and they had dropped into the relegation zone, but the loan signing of Barry Conlon from Bradford kept them up as the bald-headed assassin lashed in five goals in eight games and they survived by four points, at the expense of Chester.
Over the summer Mike Newell has made Barry Conlon’s loan move from Bradford permanent and Chris Jones (Swansea), Nick Colgan (Sunderland), Michael Leary (free), Peter Sweeney (Leeds), Adrian Forbes (Millwall) and Joe Widdowson (West Ham) have also moved to Blundell Park. Lewis Emanuel will not be joining from Luton though, despite being given an opportunity to link up again with Newell – who took him to Luton in 2006.
Peter Till (Walsall)and Andy Taylor (released) have left, although the club have rejected an initial bid from Peterborough for 19-year old captain and defender Ryan Bennett.
Hereford
The Bulls finished rock bottom of League One last season with an awful away record to blame. They lost 17 on their travels, and finished 16 points adrift of safety, so it is little wonder John Trewick has gutted his side over the summer. Lee Morris (Burton), Darren Dennehy (Cardiff, loan), Glen Southam (Dagenham), Adam Bartlett (Kidderminster), Ryan Green (Bristol Rovers), Keith Lowe (Kidderminster), Leon Constantine (Northampton), Ryan Valentine (Darlington), Marc Pugh (Shrewsbury), Kenny Lunt (Sheff Wed), Jamie Tolley (undisclosed) and Darren Jones (forest Green Rovers) have all arrived. Nigerian International striker Benedict Akwuegba is on trial.
Heading out of the exit door were Dean Beckwith (Northampton), Steve Guinan (Northampton) and Toumani Diagouraga (Peterborough). Jose Veiga’s contract ended and Richard Jackson, Steven O’Leary, Simon Johnson, Kris Taylor, Jack McLeod, Michael D’Agostino, Clint Easton and Karl Broadhurst have all been released.
Off the field, their ground has failed a health and safety inspection and will face a reduced capacity this season until matters are resolved.
Lincoln
The Red Imps talked the talk last season but failed to walk the walk and finished down in 13th. They didn’t get going until October but after winning five of six that month, marched up from 19th to 10th and within a point of the play-offs. However, that was pretty much the highlight of their season, which was also rocked when manager Peter Jackson was diagnosed with throat cancer, from which he has now fully recovered. The former Huddersfield Town boss has signed a new contract after being given the all clear but they have been priced out of a move for Peterborough striker Rene Howe, who made a favourable impression on loan at Rochdale and Morecambe in the last two seasons, and the player their fans are eager to see signed up instead is journeyman crock Michael Bridges.
Star man Dany N’Guessan has jumped ship to join Leicester along with another integral member of their side, Lee Frecklington, who has been snapped up by fast-improving Peterborough. Ben Wright (Macclesfield), Lee Beevers (Colchester), Ayden Duffy (Corby) and Adrian Patulea (Leyton Orient) have also departed. Moving to Sincil Bank are Cian Hughton (Tottenham), Jamie Clarke (Rotherham), Chris Fagan (unattached), Richard Butcher (Notts County), Paul Connor (Cheltenham) and Joe Heath (Forest loan) but it is questionable whether their side is now as strong as that which started last season.
Macclesfield
Macclesfield never looked in danger of going anywhere last season and Keith Alexander’s side were comfortable in lower mid-table. 14th at Christmas, they slid down to 20th at the end of the season, but with plenty starting on minus points, they were still safe by ten points.
Over the summer Izak Reid has penned a new two year contract and Hanza Bensherif (Forest), Ross Draper (Hednesford), Colin Daniel (Crewe), Paul Morgan (Bury), Carl Tremarco (Wrexham), Ben Wright (Lincoln), Steve Reed (Weymouth), Kyle Wilson (FC United of Manchester) and Nat Brown (Wrexham) have arrived. Gareth Evans has joined Bradford, Simon Yeo has retired and Richard Walker, Francis Green, Jordan Hadfield, Jamie Tolley, Danny Thomas, James Jennings, Ahmed Deen, Rikki Bains, Neil Harvey, Christian Millar, Matt Towns and Chris Hirst have all been released.
Morecambe
The Shrimps struggled in the first half of the season and at the end of October were lingering in the lower half of the division. Although 16th going into the New Year, they did improve in 2009 and ended the season in 9th, although they never really looked as though they were good enough to make the play-offs. Had their early seen form (10 pts from first 14 games) matched their later form (53 points in 32 games) and been maintained over the course of the season, they would have made the top seven, so a better start is needed this time around.
As the club plays their last season at Christie Park – work began on the proposed site of their new stadium in spring 2009 and is expected to be completed next summer – they will be without Rene Howe whose loan from Peterborough expired. Sammy McIlroy will start the season with injury concerns over Neil Wainright and Jim Bentley whilst Adam Yates has left for Port Vale and Damien Allen for Bury, but Ian Craney (Huddersfield, loan), Phil Jevons (Huddersfield, loan) and Laurence Wilson (Chester) have arrived and under McIlroy they should punch above their weight once more.
Northampton
The Cobblers started last season in League One reasonably well and were tenth at the end of October. Even going into the New Year they were in mid-table, but the seven point gap to the drop-zone shortened in the following months and despite tonking Crewe 5-1 at home, their form nosedived, they lost four on the spin, and became involved in a relegation scrap. Even going into the last day of the season they had a chance of surviving but a 3-0 loss to Leeds at Elland Road sealed their relegation – in 21st place by a point.
Jason Crowe was offered a new deal but rejected and has moved on to Leeds. Mark Hughes (Walsall), Liam Dolman (released), Ikechi Anya (Sevilla), Leon Constantine (Hereford) and Courtney Cameron (Aston Villa, undisclosed) have also moved on whilst the club are involved in a dispute with Motherwell over Giles Coke. The SPL club have announced Coke as their new signing, although Northampton claim he agreed to a contract extension with them.
Billy McKay (Leicester), Dean Beckwith (Hereford) and Steve Guinan (Hereford) have arrived along with former Man Utd defender John Curtis, who ended last season at Wrexham.
Notts County
The Magpies struggled last season and never looked like they’d win promotion to League One. 17th at Christmas, their decidedly average side was rarely out of the bottom half of the season and they finished the season in 19th, closer to relegation than the play-offs.
However, the mood around the club has lifted over the summer and Ian McParland’s side are now the talk of the division following considerable investment from a Middle-Eastern Consortium. Peter Trembling and Peter Willett, with the financial backing of Munto Finance Ltd, head the consortium and have taken over control of the club from the club’s supporters trust. Following confirmation of their takeover in July, former Lazio, England and Man City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson was appointed their director of football, bringing with him sidekick Tord Grip, who has taken up a position as general advisor.
At least for the time being, McParland remains in charge and has signed Lee Hughes (Oldham), Graeme Lee (Bradford), Luke Rodgers (Yeovil), Ben Davies (Shrewsbury), Ricky Ravenhill (Darlington), Craig Westcarr (Kettering) and Brendan Moloney (Forest loan). Winger Matt Richie, who spend last season on loan at Dagenham, is a loan target from Portsmouth.
Leaving Meadow Lane are Myles Weston (Brentford) and Richard Butcher (Lincoln).
Port Vale
The Valiants won their league opener at Luton but mainly struggled under Lee Sinnott and a poor run of form in September, in which they lost six on the spin (which led to Sinnott’s sacking), kept them rooted down the bottom of the table. They could never really make in inroads on those above them, were in the lower reaches going into the New Year, and finished in 18th. Dean Glover was appointed Sinnott’s replacement but resigned towards the end of the season with the club still struggling. Micky Adams was appointed his replacement in June.
Doug Loft (Birhgton), Adam Yates (Morecambe) and Tommy Fraser (Brighton) have all arrived. Geoff Horsfield – who has contracted swine flu recently – has been appointed their assistant manager but it is finances rather than the virus that is preventing further signings. Trialisits Stuart Tomlinson, Kris Taylor and Lassana Sidibe all played in a friendly win over Wolves but the club cannot afford to sign any of them.
Rochdale
Last season was an all too familiar story for Dale. They played some attractive football, fully deserved their spot in the top seven, but once again came up short in the play-offs. Keith Hill’s side often flirted with automatic promotion in a league that was tightly knit at the top, but they finished the season in 6th and hopes of a promotion to League One were dashed by Gillingham.
Rochdale won’t need to improve their side much to figure again this season and there has been little transfer activity at Spotland. Captain Gary Jones has signed a new two year deal and Kenny Arthur (Accringon) and Matthew Edwards (Leeds) have arrived, with right-back Simon Ramsden moving across the Pennines to Bradford.
Talks with Oldham about a possible ground share are only in the early stages and still very informal.
Rotherham
The Millers started last season with a -17 points deduction, for failing to satisfy league rules for exiting administration, but soon made a dent into that by winning all of their first three league games. With Bournemouth and Luton beginning their seasons sluggishly, Mark Robins’ side soon pulled clear of relegation and up the table. They ended the season in 14th, 11 points adrift of 7th place.
Due to a dispute with the landlords of their traditional home Millmoor, Rotherham will once again play their home games at the Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield next season. However, since Tony Stewart took over the club are in a much stronger position financially and have been able to splash the cash over the summer bringing in Tom Pope from Crewe (£150k) to equal their previous club record signings. In Nicky Law (Sheffield United) they have also secured the services of one of, if not the, most talented midfielders in the division. Paul Warne (Yeovil), Jamie Anderson (Sheffield United) and Kevin Ellsion (Chester) have also signed with Jamie Clarke (Lincoln), Alex Rhodes (Oxford), Steven Cann, Peter Holmes, Omar Garcia, Jamie Yates, Marc Newsham, Andy Todd and Tom Cahill (all released) moving in the other direction. Marc Burchill has returned to Scotland to sign for Kilmarnock and Reuben Reid – who has attracted interest from Blackpool, MK Dons and an unnamed Premiership club – may also be heading out of the exit door, with a £200k price tag believed to have been slapped on his head.
Shrewsbury
The Shrews started the season well and maintained an excellent home record throughout the year, losing only three at the Pro Star Stadium all season and winning fourteen. However, they drew a remarkable twelve away games (winning just three) and that was the difference between automatic promotion and the play-offs (they finished 7th). Although they overcame Bury on penalties in their play-off semi-final they were beaten 1-0 by Gillingham in the final.
Lewis Neal (Carlisle), Craig Disley (Bristol Rovers), Chris Neal (Preston, nominal) and Dean Holden (Falkirk) have joined over the summer and Omer Riza, Kelvin Langmead and Steven Leslie have extender their deals. The most notable departure is that of top-scorer Grant Holt, who has joined Norwich for an undisclosed amount. The Shrews have been knocked back in their attempts to sign Paul Benson from Dagenham as his replacement though. Ben Herd (Aldershot), Grant Holt (Norwich, undisc), Chris Humphrey (Motherwell), Michael Symes (Accringon), Ben Davies (Notts County) and Marc Pugh (Hereford) are others to have departed. Michael Jackson could be out of action for another three months with a knee injury.
Torquay United
The Gulls finished 4th in the Blue Square Premier last season and were promoted back into the Football League, after a two year absence, after beating Cambridge 2-0 in the play-off final.
Paul Buckle has brought in Ben Joyce (Swindon) and Scott Rendell (Peterobrough, loan) for the forthcoming season with Steve Woods and Roscoe D’Sane being released after their contracts expired. Striker Matt Green has joined Oxford on a year long loan.
Verdict
This is my 100 % book of what I feel the true prices for each team should be. The best prices currently available are bracketed.
Notts County 8/1 (6/1), Rotherham 8/1 (8/1), Bury 10/1 (16/1), Rochdale 12/1 (20/1), Shrewsbury 14/1 (14/1), Chesterfield 14/1 (16/1), Bradford 18/1 (14/1), Crewe 18/1 (20/1), Morecambe 22/1 (39/1), Northampton 25/1 (14/1), Hereford 25/1 (33/1), Lincoln 28/1 (34/1), Bournemouth 28/1 (16/1), Darlington 33/1 (39/1), Grimsby 33/1 (33/1), Cheltenham 40/1 (28/1), Burton 50/1 (50/1), Dagenham & Redbridge 50/1 (33/1), Port Vale 50/1 (40/1), Aldershot 80/1 (66/1), Barnet 100/1 (74/1), Torquay 150/1 (28/1), Macclesfield 200/1 (100/1), Accrington 250/1 (125).
With recent happenings at Meadow Lane, I make Notts County the favourites for the division. In a league that lacks mega money, the Magpies are at an obvious advantage over many of the sides in the division but Rotherham also have money to spend and for that reason I make them joint-favourites with several eyecatching signings also been made over the summer. Whereas Notts County must improve drastically from last season to figure here under Ian McParland, the Millers had the backbone of a good side last term and without a points deduction they can hit the ground running this year. However, I feel the value bet of the season is Bury, who I make a 10/1 chance on my tissue but who are currently available at 16/1 with Skybet. Alan Knill’s men gave a good account last season and were in the play-off or automatic promotion places throughout. They look to have enviable firepower upfront and look overpriced. I think Rochdale are overpriced too and have each-way possibilities although I doubt they have enough in their team to win the division. I think some of the relegated sides from League One are underpriced (Bournemouth and Northampton especially) so should be avoided along with Bradford, who need to sign a new central midfielder before they can think of reaching the play-offs, and according to my book, Torquay represent the worst value. Maybe I have overlooked something there I’m not sure. However, if looking for an outright League Two winner bet, my recommendation is Bury at 16/1 with Skybet.
My other assorted bets for this season:
I am also backing Bury on the handicaps with Coral (+12 pts, 18/1) and Skybet (+7, 20/1) - see each bookmakers site for the full list of handicap points they have allotted.
Skybet are also doing novelty group betting in which one of teams from each group have to be picked with the winner determined by who accrues the most points. My suggested accumulator is as follows:
Group 1: (Rotherham, Shrewsbury, Bradford) - Rotherham
Group 2: (Notts C, Northampton, Chesterfield) - Notts County
Group 3: (Bury, Bournemouth, Crewe) - Bury
Group 4: (Rochdale, Cheltenham, Dagenham) - Rochdale
Group 7: (Morecambe, Aldershot, Barnet) - Morecambe
The accumulator offers combined odds of 69.47/1 with Skybet.
With regards to top goalscorer betting, I think Michael Boulding is overpriced at 33/1 for Bradford. He has knuckled down well in pre-season, has endeared himself to everyone with his fantastic attitude and plays for one of the highest scoring sides in the division. 33/1 Blue Square, each way betting on the top four places at a quarter of the odds.
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