The Voice - Match preview #44: Bradford City vs Plymouth Argyle Tuesday 21st April 2026 7:45pm

That's a good point earned. Stand out player was Lapslie, what an engine, what a menace he was i don't see how we can drop him after that. I'm delighted took this opportunity so well after most of the season on the sidelines, such a good pro.

Humphry had some decent moments. Thought Joe Wright was excellent another one playing well coming in from the cold.

I really feared the worst with Sarc out alongside other absentees but we found a way to drag a point from that and I'll take that.

 

All things considered, thats a fantastic point. We have lost our key players at totally the worst time, so thats a great result that just edges us that bit closer.
Totally agree with all the pro Lapslie comments. He's not Sarce, but worked his socks off - a top pro.
Bolton are pretty much there now barring a major goal swing and only need a point to be mathematically safe so that may influence how they approach it on Saturday. Really hoping the Sarce injury isn't serious.

 

Lapslie was played in a central no 10 role, not as a goal scoring forward. Don’t know which game you were watching. He was terrific tonight, breaking up play, winning challenges, laying the ball off and chasing down loose balls. He was named as MoM and GA said he was easily the best player on the pitch.

 

Thought we put in a great effort once we got to grips with them after the first 20 minutes but we really do lack a bit of quality, especially with no Tyreik, Pointon and Sarce.

Lapslie was everywhere. Really ran himself into the ground and well deserved MOTM.

One more point. We're really limping home. But almost there!

 

You got it wrong way round it’s 15

 

I can see why someone might have thought Lapslie was playing as the centre forward, as he does drift further and further forward. Not even when we're putting balls into the box, either, there were times where he was literally the furthest man forward trying to win headers lol

Not his game, but he didn't disgrace himself by any means and looked even better when moved into midfield as the third central player.

I definitely caught myself getting annoyed at Humphrys and Jackson for not playing further forward in that first half, but I think on the whole we didn't get the balance quite right in the first 45. Much better after the break.

 

I'd have begrudgingly taken a point before the match, so it's not a bad result. Thought we played fine. Lack of shots is a concern as usual, but we're fairly depleted in our attacking positions. Humphrys is the only one who looked like he'd make something happen - and did (even though I thought he should have got his shot away sooner in the build up to the goal).

Hopefully we go for it on Saturday. Would be a lot easier for everyone if the Exeter match was a dead rubber for us and would also mean that we could get some minutes into a few players there. Metcalfe and Neufville have both had a huge downturn in form; maybe a rest would do them good.

 

Most people I spoke to would have taken a point especially seeing the team.the first fifteen to twenty minutes I thought we were in for a thrashing from an expensively assembled team who are exceptional good at what they do. But gradually we got a grip on them and probably over the whole match deserved to win. We gave it everything and that’s all we could ask for. Nearly there but still a bit to do.

 

Like it or not they have a way of playing and it works by far the best form team at the moment

 

Fully agree. The lack of times we tested their keeper is frustrating, but we again found a way to grind out a point from being behind, which has to be acknowledged, especially given injuries to key players.

With Humphrys seemingly our most attacking threat right now, finding a balance of switch between him and Neufville is important. First half it didn’t work, but second (like Barnsley) it was much better. Humphrys feet to beat the two defenders for the goal was absolutely class.

 

Exactly, to put it into context, we were wasteful at times, Metcalfe in particular, but dominated physically and looked up for the task even without our best three attacking players.

 

Lincoln still exist.....


Fingers crossed we can get a win in the coming two games to boost our momentum a bit.

 

He's right about that. Mind you, it doesn't mean anything because he'll probably leave him out of the squad altogether on Saturday!

 

He better not even if Sarc is fit I'd still be tempted to start with Lapslie and bring on Sarc only if needed.

I wish Pattison had had the attitude of Lapslie during January i.e wanting to stay and fight for his place when i imagine he'd have had offers from league 2. I know they're different positions but Pattison would definitely have had chances considering the fading form of Metcalfe, and it would be good to have him as an option.

That's no slight on Pattison btw i get that he's going to do what he thinks is right for his career

 

The only problem with that is he's made of paper. I believe he's been out injured for the last few weeks and would have been the same had he stayed with us.

 

He would still have had more game time than Sibley and White, who haven't been anywhere near the matchday squad since their shocking 1st half's v Hudders and Wimbledon respectively!
Agree Pattos fitness issues meant he was never getting another contract but he would have at least been an option IF fit.

 

Pepple is a man mountain with pace . Even Baldwin who is a big strong defender just bounced off him on several occasions . Defensively Wright was a good choice knowing their love for long throws and set pieces .

 

Looked offside to me on the replay.

 

I’ve come to the conclusion that was 532 or 352 from the get go with Lapslie bolstering the midfield with Hump and Jackson up front. It actually worked imho.

 

They are aping the way Lincoln play to a tee. Identical .