Just walked home from the match with the feeling being similar to how i felt when the same happened against Matlock in 74/5. However being older and wiser not feeling as mangled as i did then.
Even though the occasion got to us today and we gave the game away we had chances to get a result.
In hindsight and not trying to be critical of Gary Rowett perhaps we should have stuck to 4-4-2 and how we normally play at home which has stood us in good stead all season,i feel we gave the iniative to Bradford from the kick off today.
Bradford have vastly greater resourses than we have,they are a good side,very physical and professional but they can play,they got the run of the ball today unfortunately for us to but i wish them well at Wembley as i feel they are the best team in the play offs.
Its still been a great season for us and a pleasure to not be fighting relegation,i'm sure Gary and Phil will be busy during the summer looking for more players to improve us and look forward to all the banter with you next season
Brewers droop
posted on 5/5/13
Gutted got it all wrong today.
Should have gone 442 and taken the game to Bradford. They are no more than an above average L2 side and we let them dictate for large parts of the game.
Marcus blew the first goal. Ok, these things happen but GR should have changed it immediately and gone two up front. Calvin was knackered by the time Billy came on.
Criminal to bring on Symes who is no more than a L2 donkey. Criminal not to bring Pato on who has won us more games from the bench than any other player.
Someone explain Phillips to me? Just don't see anything there - one good game in three years is awful.
That all said, a magnificent season, but so disappointing for it to end so near yet so far.
posted on 5/5/13
I watched the game not really rooting for either side, or maybe only favouring Bradford on the grounds that they are a Yorkshire club.
As mentioned above it was a fantastic advert for Divison 2 - both sides wanting the win. Honest endeavour, and skilful play from both sides - it was 10 times more exciting than either of the Premiership games on tv today.
Real football
Best of luck next season.
posted on 5/5/13
Formation wrong,playing Macca stupid even York tossed him back and i can see why.Bradford are nothing special in my opinion and we didnt show anything to threaten an average defence.I hope Bradford dont win the final because to me they will not do anything in league 1 they are not good enough.The remaining semi for me holds the winners and i hope its Cheltenham for me the complete outfit.Thanks to Gaz for a fantastic season even though we were unsure of him and lets hope we go on next season and assemble a squad to compete in the top half of the league.
posted on 5/5/13
Never mind eh! The better team won on the day. Sometimes you have to hold your hands up and accept it.
After the game I went to the away end, shook hands with and congratulated those who had travelled. It seemed like the right thing to do. They beat us fair and square.
Had we been robbed by bad officials or bad sportsmanship by them, I may not have been so noble and magnanimous. But they beat us fair and square.
I feel exactly the same as I did after that Cambridge game. On that evening, like today, I feel proud of the team and what has been achieved this season. I am also optimistic about next season.
A lot was wrong about today but I feel that this is not the time to be criticical about anything. I just hope that I don't start ranting on here in the next 48 hours !
My biggest upset and concern at the moment is wondering how I am going to get through the next few months without football.
posted on 5/5/13
Dissapointing day for all Albion faithfulls , i feared that might happen to us today if they got back into the game . The Holness error was unfortunate ,but he did something similar up at Bradford . Calvin looked a shadow of the player from the other night , Macca im afraid has played his last ompetitive game in a brewers shirt , sad but fact ,Arron was close to tears when being interviewed at the end of the match ,he too has been a wonderful servant along with Corbett .We have to lick our wounds and celebrate a great campaign ,i suspect we will still be competing against Bradford next season ,as i fancy Northampton to be triumphant at Wembley .Thanks Otep for your contributions ive enjoyed the league battle although forgot today i would have gone 2-1 to Bradford just for the record.
posted on 5/5/13
Just about over it now I've had a few beers!
Congratulations to Bradford and best of luck at Wembley I so hope they beat the Boothroyd hoof it academy!!
Agree with most of what has been said. They changed players and formation, we didn't. Calv had no one to help him and it really showed. Brought Billy on too late and why Paterson never got on I will never know - he has been our one shining star from the subs this season and it wouldn't surprise me if he packed his bags and buggered off now.
The players will pack their bags now - it has been a fantastic season and we deserved more than the cruelty of losing the semi - who will go? probably most of them, good luck to you all it has been a pleasure watching you this year.
Will Rowett stay?
posted on 6/5/13
It's easy to be magnanimous in victory but I am sincerely disappointed that you didn't get the 3rd promotion place ahead of Rotherham.
I have enjoyed reading and sharing comments with you and wish both our clubs success in the future whichever division we are in.
My only gripe is with posters who make derogatory comments about the Bradford City squad. The names of the players who have created history, by being the first 4th division club to appear in a major domestic cup final at Wembley followed returning for the play offs will be etched in the memories of supporters for years to come.
Enjoy your summer break.
posted on 6/5/13
As I said a few months ago EB, that night when you beat the V***a was a special one for me. Heading towards a hotel in Manchester on work business I drove round and round the city centre slowly just to listen to the commentary. I then sat in the car park of the hotel listening to the interview and aftermath. I haven't and won't forget that either. I hate V***a.
posted on 6/5/13
I also hope that you beat Northampton aswell. I don't like the brand of Boothroyd football.
There is another reason why I hope that you go up. Someone else mentioned it recently. That 'Claret and Amber Song' is truly hideous. (It is on You Tube if anyone wants to listen).
If I do have to go to Valley Parade again next season I shall have to turn up 2 minutes after kick off.
posted on 6/5/13
Otep
Thanks for your good wishes, this is what the Premier League "fans" and media pundits don't understand. We're not all interested in Fergie, Arry, Rafa and their overpaid mercenaries.
At the start of the season everyone cringed when that song was played. It was written and sung by a blind supporter and the chairman decided to give it a go. I suppose it's been a lucky omen but, because it's so long and no one can remember the words, the crowd doesn't join in. However, during the last few matches even old fogies like me have sung along to "Take me home to the Valley etc." The players believe that our support has helped them over the line.
Tickets, travel and hotel booked and now I just hope Northampton's long throw tactics don't work on the 18th.
All the best
Edinburgh Bantam