The Voice - Match preview League One Playoff Semi-Final: Bradford City vs Bolton Wanderers Thursday 14th May 2026 8:00pm

Humphrys & Lapslie were both introduced in the 61st minute knowing they had 30 minutes plus injury, if you don't give everything during your time on the pitch after being brought on so late in the game then IMO your letting your team mate's down, Lapslie never stopped running hassling defenders, I think Humphrys got himself into a position to shoot the once but got closed down and not allowed to get his shot off, maybe I'm being harsh but the man's a wasted talent, the least us fans expect is effort.

 

Some games SH is on it and can turn a match but in most games, like Thursday, he loses the ball in promising exchanges by trying to be George Best and then looks around as if it was someone else's fault. I know he still under contract but over the season it's been a wasted wage and I hope some team takes him of our hands. We can do much, much better imo.

 

Think it was down to the mikes, maybe they changed things

 

I’d give Laps another deal, based on his recent displays , perhaps a year with options . Far better “ investment” than some we saw in Jan?

 

They did…The sold the seats by the sky mics to Bolton fans . Middle of Midland Rd . A daft by product of the daft idea , which yet has to be explained. Zip to do with penalties imho.

 

He also seems to be a really good squad man who doesn't sulk if he's not in the starting 11 or even on the bench. He's far from the most gifted but more than makes up for it with hard work and a top attitude.
What we need next season is more back ups of this type who can come in and do an effective job when called upon.

 

The players who accept being squad members and won’t cause hassle when not in the starting XI are invaluable. It’s one reason why I wouldn’t be amazed to see Ciaran Kelly offered another year. For all of his limitations, he’s never badly let us down when called upon.

Atmosphere was great on Thursday. One gripe is that I didn’t think that we made it hostile enough for the Bolton players when they were on the ball. I was in the Sunwin bottom tier and the Kop sounded absolutely rocking. Wish I’d gone in the bottom tier of the Kop.

 

Just watching Hearts score from a corner with ease reminds me how poor we are at corners. In evidence again against Bolton.

This is something GA has to sort out for next season.

 

And Celtic just been given the softest of penalties for handball. If thats a pen then surely Jackson should have had one for us too. Pundits all think its a definitely pen (personally think neither are pens). Inconsistency with the rules is infuriating

 

Celtic have certainly had some decisions go their way these last few weeks. That handball last week was one of the worst VAR decisions that I've ever seen. Completely makes a mockery of using the technology.

 

Even Arsenal switched to short corners because of the stupid pen area rules these days .

 

Given it some time to reflect.

The team has been greater than the sum of its parts this season. Great job in achieving this by Alexander and his staff.

It’s been good to see strong away followings again as opposed to one man and his dog at times in league2. Makes for such a better atmosphere.

Credit to the players for the rollercoaster season. Some amazing highs -Cardiff away, and performances. They deserve all the plaudits for their drive and determination to finish well ahead of general expectations this season.

Credit to the club for creating an environment where all this could happen. Kit launch at the FA Cup final is quite the coup as well. Good job.

Bolton were worth their place at Wembley. I hope they make it. Better than us overall in the 2 games. If only we could have turned that spell in the second half into a goal because they were rocking, Their fans who made for a great atmosphere went quiet during that spell. Understandable.

This seasons side has played with great pride and effort. A worthy reflection of what I want to see from my team and not something we’ve always witnessed over the years, but Alexanders sides bear that hallmark.

On to a Summer of inevitable change. One I hope that further strengthens the playing side. Some key players out of contract. New financial rules to abide by but here’s hoping the summer recruitment has a similar hit rate to last off season.

Overall so Proud to follow Bradford City as a certain jingle says. .

 

No need, he's got another year on his current contract.

 

Nice one , absolutely no disgrace in our play off exit, disappointing , of course but let it not detract from the great strides made in the last 2+ years on and off the grass.

 

Wow thanks I “guessed” it had run down . Teach me!

 

Alexander has seen us lose that dreaded 'potential' tag. Full stadia for games, averaging over 20,000 per game for the best part of goodness knows how many decades. The marches on Manningham Lane, packed out North Parade, more of the local community getting involved, all from struggling in 18th in league 2. If someone had said to you three years ago all of the above and we'd be playing at a sold out Valley Parade and holding our won against a very good Bolton side for a shot of getting to Wembley you'd tell them to give their head a wobble.
All about raising the bar again next season, and for the first time in what seems a life time that bar of expectation is set pretty high. None of this happy to just stay up malarkey, playoffs in now a minimum requirement as we are now ranked up there with the likes of Stockport, Bolton etc.

 

A different, but good, pressure for next season.

It's a big change in mentality to move from the constant feeling that we are underachieving as a club to be genuine challengers at the right level.

As you say, the bar has been raised and we need to sustain our momentum. A playoff challenge is now expected. Hopefully there are a few players out there that fancy playing in front of 20k + fans a week to add some quality to the squad.