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

He was a solid 8/10. Really solid performance. He had two very obvious misplaced passes which were easily distinguishable. Unfortunately that will have swayed some perspectives instead of the other 94.5 minutes where he didn't do owt wrong.

 

Fair play chaps not many teams have done the double over us since our return to the EFL. You've bounced back with a couple of decent wins after having a little wobble yourselves. I'm disappointed because I thought we could get something last night as we've generally been better away than at home. Still a lot of football to play but realistically I think that's us done for any hopes of automatic promotion. We're not good enough & Cardiff & Lincoln just don't look like faltering. Someone may make a charge for the top two (possibly yourselves?) but on recent evidence it won't be my team. Resigned to the fact now that the rest of the season is all about jostling for those playoff spots.

If it's to be the playoffs then obviously I hope we do better than last season, but from the teams that currently occupy those spots If I had to pick one team to succeed other than my club then I'd pick your lot......Anyone but Bolton!
Best of luck for the rest of the season, we may yet meet again. We love Sarcevic for what he did with us so I can forgive him for scoring against us twice this season, not sure sure I'd be so forgiving if he goes & scores the winner against us at Wembley though!.........It couldn't happen.........could it?

 

My worry now, would be losing Metcalfe for any length of time between now and the end of the season. Would Evans and Power have that drive, fitness levels and mobility to keep pressing the opponents?
On another note, I was surprised Alexander didn’t make changes earlier. I thought Pointon and Sarc ran themselves into the ground and with both being key, it would be a blow to lose either right now.

 

dont shout at me...... but our midfield looked very good attacking in swarms and defending well and Metcalf is developing into a very very good player...

 

Thank you. I like Stockport, but obviously still want to beat you How you tolerate your manager I don’t know. I get he has been with you since NL, but his after match interviews are embarrassing.

 

Couldn't agree more, Metcalfe is really making us tick at the moment. Been a long time since we've seen a young player flourish before our eyes. Evans has proven to be a more than capable deputy for Power but I don't think we have anyone who would come close to offering what we have with Metcalfe.

It really struck me on Saturday seeing Brandon Khela back at city and yes admittedly Pboro were really poor and none of their team looked good on the day - but I was glad we have Metcalfe over him. Seem to remember some disappointment on us 'losing out' to Peterborough to sign him. Huge credit to whoever was involved in Metcalfe's scouting and recruitment as we will undoubtedly make money from him.

 

Ha ha, the law of the ex strikes again.
Nice post fella.

 

Just wanted to say that doesn’t it make a refreshing change to see players completely battling for 90 mins after some of the dross we’ve had to witness in the last few years It reminded me of the Fleetwood game early one season under Parkinson.

 

lol.. like I said above, an adequate proxy for power.

 

He’s done well with County only because he’s had a pretty limitless budget including their NL days. He’s nothing special just an average lower league manager however his transfer and salary budget is different gravy compared to 99% of L1/2 , don’t let anyone one tell you otherwise . This doesn’t include Stott funding in addition a Cat 3 Academy with 200 kids and apprentices on their books.

An above average manager like GA has so far matched his achievements on pennies in comparison imho.

 

Which CEO is that

 

I wanted to call out too that it looks increasingly like our January window has left us stronger which a lot of people say is the marker of a good window.

None of the players we let go seem to be ripping it up (yet) in League 2 and the ones we've brought in have had an impact.

It's just a real shame we couldn't get it done earlier to be more competitive during our tough run. The gap to Lincoln now is probably too big.

The playoffs would still represent a remarkable season though.

 

No doubt about it Challinorhas done a very good job there. But criticising players in public is poor management

 

Aside from the Sarcevic goal this is where the game was won last night:



You could see Stockport were a good team but we did a great job at nullifying them.

 

He did exactly the same post game after we beat them at their place . Watch the y/t video. Shocking management .

 

Sky cameras focused on two individuals in the directors box during the game . No idea who they were . Wonder if it’s related?

 

Simon Parker tweeted mid game:
Interesting guest sat with Ryan Sparks tonight - Sunderland til I Die "star" Charlie Methven. Former Charlton CEO as well .

 

Exactly. No idea why fans would think he'd say anything different. Their fans and owners would be jumping on him if he didn't make it sound like they had a bad night v us outplaying/outmuscling them

 

I wrote this when he looked nailed on to get sent off