The Voice - Match preview #31: Bradford City vs Stockport County Tuesday 17th February 2026 7:45pm

Metcalf is light years better than Pattinson has ever been. I liked the former Harrogate player, but he does not have the skill sets that Metcalfe has, i.e the ability to totally deceive a midfielder with his control of the ball.

 

I quite like his interviews. He's honest and forthright and to let's face it, his way works - he's easily the most succesful manager in the lower leagues for the last 10 years.

I think he's frustrated because he knows the autos have gone and really they were expected to be challenging. Plus they did seem slightly passive - as if they were more wary of what we can do than what they could.

 

Love the way they nullified the very dangerous Wooton by bullying his partners

 

So in the nine games, against out Top 6 rivals (with one left) we've W4, D2, L3.

If I'd suggested that at the start of the season, you'd have been right to have called me a happy clapper!!

We mustn't underestimate the games at Reading and Wycombe who are now arguably playing as good as anyone - other than the Top 2, but amazingly we could be in the play-offs.

I still maintain 9th would be an excellent season.

 

Well earned victory

the answer is simple their manager watched the match on Saturday and took fright

 

I thought he put himself about well

 

He certainly looked like a player who hadn’t kicked a ball much lately when it came to his passing.

 

Suoerb work off the ball, atrocious on the ball. His passing was shocking.

Metcalfe another 8/10.
.

 

Don’t see the Pattison comparison either. Different type of player and agree, Metcalfe is a much more complete CM based on what we are seeing at the moment. His intelligence on and off the ball and awareness around him is far superior. Pattison’s game excelled on pace, power and press but ability on the ball and control of the game he lacks. Based on the way we are playing and the players we have brought in Jan, I understand why Evan’s was brought in and Pattison allowed to go, in addition to the contractual reasons.

Id liken Metcalfe to more early days Elliott Watt (with signs he’s got all the potential of far surpassing Watt’s levels) or even Josh Cullen.

 

If we drop from 4th to 9th in the last 15 games - it is far from 'excellent'. It would be a disaster.

 

Atrocious is maybe a little harsh, but indeed wasteful and a need for a bit more composure definitely fair.

However I’d say the role he needed to prioritise he filled well which allowed Metcalfe to fulfil his.

Jack Diamond was class for them in the away game and thought he caused us issues when he came on last night. Was happy to see him start on the bench but thought Metcalfe and Evan’s dealt with him well even when he came on.

 

Maybe. He was wasteful but also a liability at times. He gave the ball away twice in dangerous positions with poor passing, and also got bundled off the ball late on for a break away, thankfully we recovered.

Like I said credit for his off the ball work. He covered lots of ground and broke up play well.

All in all, one of the poorer players last night - due to mistakes. Tilt, Metcalfe and Sarcevic were superb last night. Credit to the defence, organised and put their bodies on the line.

 

I enjoyed that so much I didnt even notice the cold!

 

Bloody hell, I love that man.

Different type of player to Gary Jones, but in my opinion, just as crucial to us as he was, and bonded with the fans as much too.

He genuinely seems to love playing for us and I hope he stays beyond the season.

 

after the to games I will say we are back in the game,not for the the top 2 but good enough
for the play offs.tilt for me man of the match,but every player gave his all.only my opinion
get will swan back in the team the way that we are playing he will prove to be our best striker.
the bantams are now laying bigger eggs.

 

I so wish we had signed him 2 years earlier. Absolutely key to the way we play and I dont think it's a coincidence that we turned in our arguably 2 worst performances of the season at Lincoln and Huddersfield while he was missing.
Realistically we have to accept we are going to lose him for a chunk of games each season, but I'll take that based on what he gives us when he plays. Like you, I hope he stays regardless of what division we are in.

 

I though Diamond , other than being involved in one passing interplay about 30 yards from goal , he was pretty anonymous
.

 

We marshalled the game better and they played out from the back which we capitalised on with the press and pace.
we didn't give them time to settle and string passes together most of the time. We went in hard and unsettled them.
In other words we controlled the game and hardly gave them a sniff. If we play like that for the rest of the season we'll end up 3rd.

 

Tilt , after about four challenges was the architect of their weakness up top, which took me by complete surprise, came about because their new star man Sidibeh became absolutely terrified of Tilt. A fantastic warrior had him in his pocket . As a result Wootton was poor, and their million £ man from Posh Mothersille, one run and that was it? I was shocked overall how poor we made their from three look throughout,