The Voice - Match preview League One Playoff Semi-Final: Bolton Wanderers vs Bradford City Saturday 9th May 2026 8:00pm

Gives me hope that they can be 'got at'. Three occasions we should've been in one on one. This one, Sarc early on and the foul that wasn't given on Jackson. They'll give us chances but missing opportunities like this is the equivalent of conceding a goal. We should be level. The first red flag on Thurs will be the first time we miss a good chance like this.

 

Absolutely agree. Think we had some decent / good chances that we didn't take.

Sarcevic had the one early on that was blocked by the defender. He was going for the far post but the replays indicate if he had gone for the near post there was more of a chance.

Sarcevic also had one in the second half on the left hand side of the 6 yard box where he controlled it really well but then blasted over with his left foot.

Then the Jackson one highlighted by Jordan above which shows there was clearly a space at that near post if he had shot rather than go down.

A lot was made on Sky about not having a shot on target but very little made of Bolton only actually having 1!!

 

I know the shot that hit the inside of the post was "off target', but we were a whisper away from conceding a quick second, and then who knows what could have happened then.

I think we got away with it a bit.

We had rhe chance to produce class just as they did, but didn't ever look convincing. Fine margins... ish.

 

Their boss sounded a tad downbeat in the post match I listened to. I think he may believe one isn’t enough. Let’s hope he’s right ?

We score first and the crowd will lift like no tomorrow.

 

Aye, indeed Kev, but we also have to be up for it from the first minute regardless of getting the opener.

Massive game, very tough job to do considering we haven't beaten Bolton in any of our 4 attempts this season, but we know a single goal is enough to force extra time/penalties if need be.

As fans, no time to waste waiting for something to happen. I know we can only do what we can do from the stands, but it needs to be a cauldron. We need their players' heads spinning from the pressure lol

 

The crowd should be lifted like no tomorrow regardless .. this is it… do or die on Thu.

 

On that basis and a lot of the Midland Rd crew moving across to the main stand , that may absolutely bounce for a change ?

 

You've been to a home game, yes? We sing for 3 minutes and then make sod all noise until we score. Tis the City way!

 

Come on Jordan
No matter what happens Thursday and this tie is far from done
The team and supporters have been really good this past two seasons
Just get down there make some noise and enjoy the evening
We finished fourth in our first season back in league one
Whatever happens, we will build again

 

Thats the problem…if we’re in League 1 next season the best we can hope for is a mid table finish… unless if Rupp invests… also remember if we lose on Thu, we still wont be where we were when Rupp and his mate took over… ie playoff finalists..

 

What evidence have you got for that and have you got the euro millions winning numbers for this week

 

In terms of entertainment, might work in our favour. Go at them from the kick off...dont give them a second. Win, lose or draw....as long as we go at them and show some attacking intent i wont have too many complaints.

Im with you on the aimless balls down the channels. Frustrating. And im sick to death of us stood like statues at throwings. That has to improve.....I cant believe after all these months GA hasnt stamped that out.

 

Why only a midtable push? I bet you said the same 12 months ago!!!!

Leicester will walk the league like Lincoln. Sheff Wed will be in limbo (unknowm at this stage) and are Oxford any better than Luton or Plymouth?
MK Dons may be a play off threat, Bromley and Cambridge will struggle.

City in theory should be stronger next season. Keep the good and get rid of the bad. Last summer we did a good job, January we were shocking. L1 isnt rocket science.....

PS when Rupp and his mate took over we were play off semi finalists. Facts are facts.

 

And got us to the final the year after, so theoretically improved us before Rahic f/-krd it all up
Taken too long to get back here, but now we are lets bloody enjoy it

 

ah yes my bad.. so we are exactly where we were when he took over from Lawn.. 10 years ago…

 

We did.. but not because of him or his investment, the team that made the final in his first season was already assembled and needed just that little bit of investment investment which we never got.. ah well.. lets see what his “investments”
Looks like this time..

 

You mean like Bolton fans yesterday and pretty much every home crowd in the country.

 

Where we have been for virtually all our existence
Football today is far harder as it’s mostly about the have,s and have nots
We are a have not, but not as poor as some and currently doing ok on it
Name me one chairman that has put his own cash in large enough amounts to make a real difference
Even big Geoff and our ride to the premier league was done mostly on other people’s money

 

If we lose on Thursday we will be exactly where we were when they took over, beaten semi finalists. We got to Wembley in Rupps first season.

 

I know , despite finishing 4th in League 1 and having a chance of getting to Wembley and having an owner who’s invested more in City than any previous owner, has never interfered with team selection or transfers ,let’s have a Rupp out thread lasting about 45 pages or do we wait till Thursday night and start it then?