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

He`d have been better passing it to Lapsly in the centre

 

I'm optimistic; I think we've got a reasonable chance if we take the game to them. I was responding to the comment that said losing didn't make any difference to our odds of making the final, which I respectfully disagreed with.

There's some tough decisions to make for Thursday. If we're going for it from the off, I'd like to see us shift Baldwin into the centre and recall Pennington; that way we can get attacks going more quickly. And can we bring Tyreik in from the start and bench Lapslie? Suppose it depends on fitness.

I still think GA will name an unchanged XI but I can't wait for the match. Even if we lose, these are the matches that we wanted when stood in the drizzle at Accrington etc.

 

We're about a 9/4 shot. Keep backing 9/4 shots at 7/5 and you'll go skint pretty quickly. However, given that we registered 0 shots on goal in the first 90 minutes, I'd take being a 9/4 chance to make Wembley all day long. First goal is massive on Thursday.

 

We lost the entire management and backroom staff plus some key players when Parky jumped ship.

 

I remember the long discussions about whether Parky had taken the ring binders with all the playing scouting information.

We were left with some very good players, but it was still a heck of achievement to put together a team that nearly made it the Championship.

 

Sorry but you are trying to change history and you are talking crap. Colin Doyle, Killgallon, Law, Hiwula, Vincelot, Wyke, Gilliead, Dieng, Percival and a returning Cullen - all brought in that first ever window. There was no team already assembled at all.

Plus new manager and staff needed.

 

Completely missed this at the time but seen the chat on twitter....... did the ref give advantage to us for a foul in the box that he's pointing at and clearly spots, and then give the play advantage signal?

 

How does that work? Any infringement in the box it is a pen?????

 

Exactly! Really dont get what went on with that one

 

I think the ref is just saying "I'm watching you 2". No great protest from Powell or complaints afterwards. They just got tangled up in each other

 

He did have a very good game. Touray doesn’t really go near Burstow as the ball comes across, though clearly ‘distracted’ by him as he runs back hence initially overruns the ball in that respect, makes sense.

However, once back in the area, he then stands too far off ACD (by about a yard) to permit that cut inside and shot on his stronger foot - gave Walker no chance.

Completely agree Touray was put in trouble by the rest of the defence getting dragged across (disappointing given we’d marshalled their wingers really well to that point).

Disagree that he was blameless for what then happened. I was disappointed he didn’t try and effect that situation more, even if that was just to be a bit closer to the man. IMO made it too easy for ACD to score.

 

Touray had a very good game overall but on the occasion of the goal he lost him and payed for it.

 

I was sat at that side of the goal and saw all this. The referee appeared to be suggesting it was both of them and they should just get up and get on with the game.

The referee was never going to give us anything. Jackson cleaned out in the first half was a yellow all day long and completely ignored, and the lino on the right kept giving throwing the way of Bolton all game.

Jackson should have shot rather than trying to go for a pen, the near post was left wide open by the keeper if he looked up.

I was more disappointed that absolutely nothing was done by the ref or anyone in authority at the number of missiles thrown at Power in the corner, when he went to take a corner. Power even picked up what looked like a Vape to hand to the referee to highlight the crap being thrown. I mean if he were struck would the team have the right to walk off the pitch for not guaranteeing their safety?

 

Don’t let the truth get in the way of having a good old bleat about Bradford city and its shortcomings
You would think we had just lost in a playoff to retain our football league status, not the opportunity of claiming a championship place
Oh and actually lost at half time
Let’s hope the players have more belief than some fans

 

Yes Alexander commented on the closing stages of the game in his post match interview saying we tried to get the equilizer which wasnt the plan.
They look a very capable side but let's not forget if they do get promotion they have several loan players who'll be going back to their parent club, Where as City selected a squad of Bradford City players.

 

Like the return of he's one of our own . Sarcevic, Wright and Pointon.

 

Referee Thomas Kirk for Thursday, a Yorkshire man apparently, with one or two Bolton fans complaining of Bias in the local rag
Well if he is from any where near Huddersfield, he might well be biased.

 

Not sure about Pointon. GA plays it very close to his chest, i thought Tyriek was the furthest away, yet turned up Saturday and looked lively, the through ball for Jackson was a beaut and should have lead to a least a shot on target if not more