[Archived] Bradford City V Rovers

[frosty]

3 hours ago, J*B said:

Put money on both teams to score. 

After it took us 70 minutes to muster a serious attempt on target at home to newly promoted Doncaster (on top of barely creating anything at Southend), I'm not sure on the us scoring part of that..! 

[TBTF]

On 14/08/2017 at 22:03, roverstdt said:

For me bradford game we need to be efficient and not over complicate things. We have to go and get a result. I do think there has been a massive over reaction with regards to the two defeats. Not an ideal start but a season is not decided in two games and Sheffield United gained 1 point from their first 4 game last year and were absolutely hopeless. I think we need an efficient and experienced line up vs Bradford who know this division. I would start with....

------------------Raya-----------

Caddis--Lenihan/Wharton--Mulgrew--Williams

Chapman--Smallwood---Gladwin--Bennett

-------------------Dack-----------------------

-----------------Samuel-------------------------

 

Dack, Gladwin, Smallwood, Williams, Chapman all know and understand League One and these are the players we need to rely on. Especially as during pre season Smallwood, Gladwin, Dack linked up very well. Wharton needs to be given an eye if things don't improve Wharton is a no nonsense defender and I want someone who will clear the ball to row Z rather than constantly over complicate things in such a dangerous part of the pitch like Ward and Mulgrew. 

You want Wharton in instead of Mulgrew? Far and away the best footballer in the club- playing alongside average joes.Really you want a kid with about 5 games behind him to play ahead of Mulgrew . I give in.

[philipl]

For once the performance actually matters more than the result.

A repeat of Southend and Doncaster by Manager and players and we are in the deepest of deep doodoo.

 

[arbitro]

3 minutes ago, philipl said:

For once the performance actually matters more than the result.

A repeat of Southend and Doncaster by Manager and players and we are in the deepest of deep doodoo.

 

I can't agree that the performance matters more than the result. If we lose the pressure on Mowbray and his players will be ramped up significantly. A poor performance with a win gets us up and running and will give everybody a bit of confidence. If Mowbray really believes his systems can work a win will buy him more time to work on it. I really don't want this foreboding feeling any longer.

[Kamy100]

BRFCS forum member riverholmes as kindly done written a preview for the upcoming match against Bradford City.

Bradford City vs. Blackburn Rovers

The season that Rovers were promoted to the Premier League from Division One, managed by Graeme Souness in 2000-01, was the season that Bradford City finished rock bottom in the Premier League, earning just five League wins all campaign. Rovers’ wilderness years in the second tier were behind and Bradford’s decline just beginning.

As the clubs swapped places, Rovers had the bright new stars in Duff, Dunn and Jansen, to be joined by the likes of Tugay, David Thompson and Brett Emerton, Bradford contemplated how to offload Beni Carbone, Ashley Ward and Robbie Blake.

That relegation season, Bradford waved goodbye to a remarkable run in the Intertoto Cup, reaching the semi-finals, only to be knocked out by Zenit St Petersburg. Rovers, of course, were on the cusp of their own European adventures. 16 years later and a couple of league cup final appearances a piece (Bradford reached the final in 2013) and the two clubs meet in the Third Tier.

Rovers’ recent transfer activity has troubled me somewhat, reminding me of some of the more inauspicious moments in the Roy Hodgson/Brian Kidd/Souness era of transfer dealing marked by targetting so-called solid players (such as Christian Dailly) and players that the manager had previously worked with at some earlier point in their careers.

The scale now is very, very different but some of Mowbray’s major signings for the new season have been players he previously worked with or was connected to: Dominic Samuel (Coventry); Richie Smallwood (Middlesbrough); Harry Chapman (Middlesbrough). Bradley Dack’s best season was for Gillingham in this same division when Mowbray was managing Coventry and trying to sign Gladwin.

Dipping into the old boys’ network was a favourite policy of Graeme Souness. Sometimes it worked, such as in Bjornebye, Tugay and Friedel but it worries me when it becomes a trend, as it suggests that the manager is not examining all the options open to him and is, perhaps, acting hurriedly. Not knowing the market inside out can sometimes mean not know the players stepping out against your team.

I expect Dominic Samuel to do well at this level and Dack is a young, technically gifted player with pedigree at this level – and in the right team, will do well. To my mind Mowbray has overlooked some important areas of the pitch and has gone for too many average players.

In the close season, Mowbray needed to get in a fast, skilful wing-back/midfielder. Our promotion winning side under Souness was abound with attacking pace in Duff, Gillespie and Bent – combined with the skill that Duff possessed, allied with Dunn, Jansen and later in the season, Mahon, Hignett and Eyal Berkovic. The combination of pace and skill Rovers had meant that the lack of pace at the back in Craig Short, Berg and Tiny Taylor wasn’t so much of an issue. The defenders could drop deep, knowing that the attack would have the opposition pinned back. Not that we’re shopping for the calibre of those heady days any more.

At the back, this season, Rovers needed a decent, fast central defender, if the youngsters were not deemed ready. A quick defender would ease the pressure on Nyambe and cover Mulgrew. Lenihan could finally be pushed into defensive midfield which is his preferred position and the one in which, I think, he will eventually assume and go on to have a fine career in.

The letting go of players like Connor Mahoney (Bournemouth), Josh Morris (Scunthorpe) and, arguably, Jack O’Connell, seems short-sighted now – albeit, efforts were made a little too late to keep Mahoney. He could’ve been the outlet we so sorely lack – or could’ve earned us a tidy sum, if he’d been tied down to a longer contract back in the day when he was playing for the U21s alongside £1 million Jordan Slew.

Bradford are in decent form, barring a defeat to Doncaster in the Carabao Cup. Last season they got to the play-off final, only to lose to Millwall. In the summer, they lost some key players in that team in Mark Marshall (Charlton), Josh Cullen (Bolton), Roy McCardle (Scunthorpe) and James Meredith (Millwall).

However, they did sign a midfielder from AFC Wimbledon called Jake Reeves, who they are very hopeful about as a creator in their team. They also have experienced and technically decent players in Nicky Law (ex-Rangers), Tony McMahon (ex-Boro right back), and Romain Vincelot. Upfront, they have pace and power in Dominic Poleon (ex-Leeds) and Charlie Wyke, if he is fit, is a regular goalscorer for them.

Their manager Stuart McCall wasn’t ecstatic about the performance in beating Gillingham 1-0 but two league wins is a solid start and they have their French captain, Vincelot to come back into the team. If Rovers are to win, they’ll likely do so by exposing the dodgy form of keeper Colin Doyle and the defensive frailties in the side. Two familiar names in their squad are Matt Kilgallon, at centre back or left back and Paul Taylor, who’ll likely start on the bench.

I expect Bradford to nick a win. They’re not, I think, as strong as last year and their early wins mask a bit of an unsettled side. However, I think Rovers’ players, positionally, don’t really know what they’re doing – and I wonder about complacency with some. Bradley Dack, clearly, is the key attacking player. If Mowbray can find him a settled position in the side, he will lead the side – he can be our David Dunn of season 2000-01.

 

View full article

 

[Kamy100]

Closed as we now have a match preview thread and discussion can continue in there:

 

 

[blueboy3333]

Can we close this and go back to discussing it where we 've been discussing it for the past few days, and where someone else went to the trouble to start a thread before it was rudely shut? Maybe even put this preview into the thread that's already been started.

[arbitro]

There has been several days of good discussion and opinion about this match now, a lot of which will go unread. I think three days before the game is too late to start a new thread. In future could match previews have a definitive time period they should be posted before the game?

[Manchester Blue]

Have to agree seems strange to shut a 4 page thread well into discussion.

Decent preview though thanks for that.  Wyke is not fit by the way and Vincelot is suspended.  

First game of the season for me following cricket & hols getting in the way.  Hopefully I'll bring some luck though not hugely confident given how solid Bradford are under McCall.  Reeves seems to have fitted in for them straight off, their back four looked solid again and Poloen looks the kind of striker who you just know before a ball is kicked is going to cause our back 3/4 problems.  Still it's my kids first every away game and I'm just hoping against the odds it's actually a great do and they enjoy it.

[blueboy3333]

Boycott this thread.

NAPM (Not a post more)

[K-Hod]

I'll see about merging the two threads ladies and gentlemen, eh?

[tomphil]

edit

[GanG2245]

We will win this 0 - 1

[Oldgregg86]

Can you buy a ticket on the day of the game ?

[AggyBlue]

3 minutes ago, Oldgregg86 said:

Can you buy a ticket on the day of the game ?

I suppose it will depend if there are any left

[Oldgregg86]

Just now, AggyBlue said:

I suppose it will depend if there are any left

True. Better ring and get one then lol. I think I'm going to drive up . See you their 

[AggyBlue]

Just now, Oldgregg86 said:

True. Better ring and get one then lol. I think I'm going to drive up . See you their 

I'll no doubt see you there

 

[Manchester Blue]

34 minutes ago, Oldgregg86 said:

Can you buy a ticket on the day of the game ?

You can but it will cost a fiver more on the day.  Presuming there are some left.

[JHRover]

Think Rovers have sold their initial allocation in the TL Dallas Upper Tier and are now selling tickets in the Midland Road stand on the side of the pitch. I think the lower tier of the TL Dallas is closed.

[Give 'Em the Axe]

On 14/08/2017 at 19:44, Al said:

I'm better than Feeney!

Why did you ban yourself? One of the savviest posters on here since I joined. Wouldn't always agree with you, mind, but obviously a good poster.

[Manchester Blue]

1 hour ago, JHRover said:

Think Rovers have sold their initial allocation in the TL Dallas Upper Tier and are now selling tickets in the Midland Road stand on the side of the pitch. I think the lower tier of the TL Dallas is closed.

Someone of football ground guide said they did that with their fans last season.  Strange one, we sat in that stand for the pre-season few years back, don't think much difference in facilities etc.

[Husky]

The time for positivity is over.

Bradford to edge a scrappy affair 2-1.

[ChrisyG]

I heard Bradford haven't lost at home in the league since 2016

[Boaty]

14 hours ago, TBTF said:

You want Wharton in instead of Mulgrew? Far and away the best footballer in the club- playing alongside average joes.Really you want a kid with about 5 games behind him to play ahead of Mulgrew . I give in.

Mulgrew is in his lineup.....I give in

[tomphil]

55 minutes ago, Veiny Flap said:

I heard Bradford haven't lost at home in the league since 2016

Those are the stats we need to hear rather than they haven't won before Rovers roll into town.  If ever there is a bad sequence going on at another club Rovers are usually the ones to help them right it.