The Voice - Match preview #17: Bradford City vs Exeter City Saturday 29th November 2025 3:00pm

Bang on. We have a squad of grafters, but other than Sarcevic and maybe Pointon we don't have anyone who can unlock defences or find pockets of space. That real quality midfielder who demands the ball and makes us tick. We'd probably have to spend a decent amount to do so, but would we be willing, I'm not sure.

 

We played an FA Cup match with wholesale changes and a defeat to a lower division team.
Of course it affects the squad.

 

All last season ppg was brought up and the points average was maintained to its predicted total.
We are on course for 84 points there or there abouts ATM.

 

That side had been built over a few years of league one football and cup runs. The first three of those players were on loan and that’s always a short term fix, however if we are to get promoted which was way above our wildest dreams at the start of the summer ,then we will probably not be able to afford a couple of quality players permanently, we will probably go down the loan route.

 

I'd take the win but that was a hard watch.

Good morning happy clappers!

 

Morning, 3 points, 3rd in the league.

Im clapping loud and proud

 

I think we've seen a harder working Humphrys in the last two games, put in another decent shift yesterday. But as you say he frustrates the hell out of you, has no special awareness of what's around him. Still nowhere near convincing me that he's line leading striker. We certainly looked better with the two up top, at least until Cook came on. Swan is essential to the pressing game and Sarcevic and Pointon looked more at home in a tighter midfield. And Tyreik always looks better playing ahead of Bobby rather than behind him. I'd never imagined this squad being in the top three or four around Christmas but it's a tricky call for the club if we are come January. Do we push the boat out and really go for it or do we accept it's better to wait till the summer before looking for better quality replacements?

 

There was one time yesterday when Humphries got the ball in a very tight spot in the centre of their half. He controlled it well, evaded two or three tackles and had a simple ball ahead to his right to put an overlapping teammate in for a chance at goal. Instead, he turned backwards and passed it left to a player with several defenders in front of him. Really frustrating. So much strength and skill, but so little game awareness.

 

We've done very well so far and surprised several teams with our style of play. But everyone knows what that is now, essentially creating from the flanks, and they've worked out how to stop it. Consequently, the goals have dried up because we create nothing through the middle. We need a creative midfielder to complement Power and chip in with a goal or two, someone like Kemp at Stevenage. Might be worth trying Sarcevic or Pointon there if we don't recruit anyone. We also need someone to lead the line with pace and height, and at least one defender who can play a bit. All very hard to get in January.

 

Pointon has made numerous of his trademark runs into the box, the ones that Sarcevic picks out. Humphrys hasn't picked him out once despite being in position to do so on a number of occasions.

 

I simply dont know why he wouldnt open the purse strings if there is a real chance of getting out of this league this season .............there is nothing i have seen this season that scares me ..........Rupp is in a win win situation now if he does give us a huge boost in January and it fails then we do have players that we can sell in to rake the money back in.

 

To wait until summer also has its big risks as there’s no guarantee we would have as many points and league position we are in now in 12 months time . The entire division could also see an improvement in standards too ?
We have the springboard and seemingly good fortune now . If it’s the same in late December then go for it if the money is available .

Let’s be honest we have a decent number of players not quite L1 standard, and some just borderline.

Strengthen what we have with pretty large investment based on gate income alone and let’s go for it.

 

We looked good for the first 15 minutes of the second half and were far more dominant. Exeter, didn't trouble us too much.

However, when Cook came on that did coincide with Exeter dominating thereafter. I feel for Cooky, but the problem is that as soon as he's in the team - players around him start doing different things as opposed to doing those things that got us to our current position.

But I would like to see a 3-5-2 with Cook and Swan.

 

Lots of negativity about today after a poor performance yesterday emanating from rising expectations after a great start to the season. Let’s not forget we have only lost at home once this season and last week we took a point away at Bolton something which doesn’t happen much.
We just scraped promotion last year if we finish in the top half of the table it will have been a good season. With possible signing of two really good midfielders it could be better than that. Whatever happens this club is on the up let’s enjoy it

 

Listen Park me and you fell out about you being to posistive and me being negative last season but i dont get the negative vibes this time around that you alude to
We stand 3rd about to enter a run of winnable games with what should be an exciting window coming in ..............compared to this time last season its on another level . .................yesterday wasnt the best by far but yesterday stopped the rot and we havent let a goal in over our last two games ............just sit back and enjoy it a few more wins and we are safe and that was the whole aim of the season

 

I wouldn't be too sure about that. Alexander's stance as always is that we're here to compete, not make up numbers, and Rupp was making comments such as he has enough money to take us through to the Championship and we would have a budget to be able to compete this season.

Whilst back-to-back promotions might make it difficult to stay up after, momentum is so important in football this season is probably our best chance to get promoted for a few seasons should we decide to 'consolidate' rather than going for it - we'd be mad not to try ride that wave and I suspect the people at the club who matter agree

 

Rupp cannot lose if he does splash the cash he knows he can recoup it on Pointon and co .............ok building towards a promotion in a few years time but if the oportunity is there then have a go ..........i could get it if there where teams to worry about but there is nothing out there to fear ............ .we have gone toe to toe with the best and beaten them or at least not lost ...............interesting time incoming maybe Rupp is looking at this window as the chance to get out with a massive profit

 

The big issue regarding folk at the club is this may have shocked them and they may have been thinking along the lines of staying up and anything else would be a bonus ...............i mean did anyone around the club including the fanbase think we would be standing here ??????
Gonna be a very interesting window and we should have a huge indication on the clubs mentality ...........