I don’t regard Bradford as a Derby. Derbys end with Leeds in the north, Barnsley in the west and Sheff Utd in the south, so the result does not carry that extra spice. The fact that we often seem up against it and never seem to really do ourselves justice is a regular feature of our appearances at Valley Parade though, and I am almost at the stage of thinking we never will perform well there.
We go there embarrassed by the most recent result and that will give Bradford confidence. Looked at simply, deservedly losing to a side who had not won since August, does not augur well for this game.
It was a match which exposed our weakness in varying the form of our attacks. We failed to create really good chances to score. We were predictable and instead of playing the ball along the ground we relied on high balls against a team who had several players as tall but 2 or 3 stone heavier than our young goalkeeper.
The manager has to get them varying their tactics and playing to their strengths because there was very little footballing intelligence on show then and we are quite a way short of the the form displayed last Spring.
I can’t sensibly predict a win, so 3-1 to Bradford (Gibson/Sharp/Molyneux)
DPLv Bradford City
posted on 25/10/24
I suppose we both see things more or less the same, but you are the optimist Nookie. Perhaps we are just better in counter attack because I don’t suppose we shall be bettering the Bradford goal tomorrow. If we can break away our individually skilful players don’t have several 6’7” defenders to get past.
posted on 25/10/24
…battering!
posted on 26/10/24
The brain says will lose - but what has logic been anything connected with the Rovers?
I was thinking about a little optimism and saying a draw, but as this is International Champagne Day, and having drunk some, I'll go crazy and say we will win 2-1.
Who to score? Molyneux has to get back to his scoring mode, so I'll go with him.
As far as the starting team, I'd drop Gibson and start Hurst. Gidson does somethings well, but his crosses and shooting are pathetic.
posted on 26/10/24
I'm think a hard fought 1-1 draw. Sharp.
posted on 26/10/24
Bradford 1-2 Rovers
Sharp to score ⚽
posted on 26/10/24
I don’t think anyone had a right to be so optimistic. Bradford at home are surely at least as good as Bromley last Tuesday yet we dominated 75% of the game. Perhaps it was just giving Hurst a start as he seemed to add enormously to the firepower. Of course it’s about time he did and let’s hope he’ll carry on.
It is the sort of performance that the fans who think we deserve to win every game seem to imagine we put in even when we deserve to lose. Happy souls, eager to call the rest of us “negative”.
Realistically though, no fair-minded person could call the team consistent. Performances of this quality (judging solely from the sound commentary) ought to be. far more regular if we are going for the top 3.
McCann needs to identify why we can’t play like this most games.
posted on 26/10/24
We Just need Hurst and Molyneux to play like this every game.
posted on 26/10/24
In the end, it was quite an entertaining match to watch as both teams wanted to attack, but at half-time I thought it was going to be like Tuesday as we should have been nearly out-of-sight. I'm glad GM "listened to me" and played Hurst!
In the first half he maybe was going it alone too often, but with his best chance he was obviously listening to GM and took an extra touch to steady himself - and that gave their defender to get in a great blocking tackle to stop Hurst shooting!
I'd have liked him to score, but two great assists was a good contribution. A shot in the second half was heading the top corner but the slightest deflection just lifted it over the bar.
Our passing accuracy, especially in the first half, was not good, but improved. Still too many silly mistakes, but on the whole, despite the nerve wracking last few minutes, a good day at the office.
TS-L made a great save right at the end to protect the win, had no chance with their goal, and on the whole was good, especially taking balls from the air.
Still need to be more clinical as it should have been at least 1-4, but I'm a happy supporter at the moment.
posted on 28/10/24
Interesting reading Donaldo's preview from our game with the Bantams in March this year. Mention of mistakes by Sterry and his mistake in the game. By all accounts he started poorly but grew into the game on Saturday.
posted on 28/10/24
At times, Sterry makes me very nervous, but at times can be excellent - must be a typical Rovers inconsistent player! Like most in the first half his passing was poor, and too often he did not read the game well and did not position himself to cut out long passes to Bradford's wide men. Bradford were very good at cutting out many of ours.
Earlier I forgot to mention my thoughts about the ref. These guys with little EFL experience tend to throw cards out for very little, trying to show they are the rule god, and this was one of the worst. At least three yellows were for dissent. Are they trying to cut all emotion out of the game? While I do not agree with players harassing the ref, or trying to get players sent off, but to get a yellow for just throwing your arms up in disagreement with a decision is ridiculous. One for a Rovers' player was little more than a shrug - of course I do not know if he also said something not appropriate....🤭