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

Sure. But his tackling, for a deep lying midfielder, was horrendous. He was forever giving away needless free kicks in dangerous areas. For a more attacking CM, Jenson’s tackling is light years ahead of Watt.

 

Stick my neck out , remember I watched Stuart’s every home game since he joined the Northern Intermediate ranks in 1981 , that Metcalfe could potentially turn out a comparative player . That’s some target for him but age for age they are/ were very very similar in their abilities. Metcalfe has the shot” and potentially better technical ability aged 21 ?

 

Watt had ability but too slow and when play turned he was always left squandering in midfield …….Look how his career has faltered since?

 

Yes you can't be holding them back if bigger clubs come calling, but it would have to be a very good offer to get Bobby to leave his club.
The more I read comments from past and present players saying how they bought into our club there must be a great team spirit amongst the squad, Walker, Cook and now Sarcevic long may it continue.

 

Do I sence a bit of sympathy for the travelling Stockport fans, nah you're going soft mate .

 

Just this, you shouldn't always look at mistakes in isolation but in the context of a players wider contribution and willingness to play a very active part in the match. He certainly didn't hide from taking responsibility and that deserves praise in itself.

 

I'd like to see Tilt have his own section in this breakdown of defensive contribution!

 

We all see different aspects of players performances, I agree I thought the quality of balls played to him were poor, but for a kid he kept going back and mixing it with seasoned pros, thank goodness when Jacko came on we played more controlled football, we'd all have been delighted with another performance like the Posh game but at times you have to dig in and Stockport were never going to allow that with a manager like Challinor.
He was in attendance at the Posh game and obviously didnt want us to be able to play the same, at times you have to win ugly, does it matter we can only get 3 points as we did by dominating Peterbourgh.

 

I think any comparison between Metcalf and Watt is massively flattering to Watt!

 

When I first saw Metcalfe at Blackburn, I likened him to Josh Cullen, but having seen more of him, I agree his style is more comparable to Stuart in his 1st spell. As a youngster, Stuart was very much box to box in the early part of his career, and whilst I dont think he had the shooting ability that Jenson has, he was always good for 10+ goals a season.
Its very early days but based on what he's showing week in week out, all indications are that he could go a long way.

 

I think he’s got a bit of Lee Duxbury about him. Anyway, always dangerous to big up a young player as you never know when they’ll drop off. Here’s hoping he turns into the next Declan Rice and we can make a bit of money from him in a few years.

 

Agree about Tilt the lad Sidibeh didn't want involving in the physical stuff, I was a little worried when Curtis got a yellow but it showed what a good pro he is as there was little danger of a second yellow because he was very much in control.
When we signed him many fans were up in arms (nothing new there) I said Curtis was exactly the type of CB we needed a player to have a dig when required, good teams usually have at least one enforcer.

 

I have to admit Dave, I had my doubts and said so. I was totally wrong .

 

No idea. We have a CEO who I doubt will be leaving.

 

I don't think City had to look very far to find him. He scored against us playing for Chesterfield last season. I am sure someone on the management team noticed.

 

Yep, if it was easy to do well, everyone would do it. I think that's our route though. We really are now a great development ground for young players. If we can build connections with those big clubs and align on a model whereby we get good prospects for low up front fees but with larger sell on clauses, everyone's a winner.

 

I am surprised we havent developed a closer link to our friends from Beeston for young loanees. A Premiership club right on our doorstep.

I see Harry Gray went to Rotherham in January. Not sure how he is doing overall, but seem to recall he scored a couple of goals in his few few games?

 

Well most premier clubs don’t want there players to play like us long balls into space and chase down second balls ,they want them to go to good passing sides who try and play football on the floor going through midfield

 

Yet we have Man Utd and Newcastle players here.

Also dont see Rotherham as a free flowing footballing side?

 

Agreed. Metcalf is doing it in the league above..