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 29 August 2009
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.
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