The Voice - Match preview Bradford City vs Colchester United Saturday 12th August 2023 @ 3:00pm

I agree in an ideal world i'd prefer 3 at the back, but my opinion based on the squad of players MH has assembled thus far is I think we would be stronger sticking with last seasons seasons set up and hoping our midfield additions make it better.

 

Not really. I’m busy.

 

We're shit. The players are useless. Mark Hughes is clueless.

 

Melt!!

 

Totally agree. I think the current setup (or some other variation of 3 CBs) will make for a good season. We already look at lot more exciting going forward and whilst we might concede more than last season I think we will score more.

Pacey forward will always cause L2 defenders trouble no matter what formation you play, at least with the current setup we have our own pacey forwards / attacking threat to counter with.

 

Our fans get hysterical. Look at the meltdown after the Crawley loss. Pretty much wrote the season off.

We are 2pts ahead of this stage of last season.

 

There were a couple of moments in the first half Gillead got in behind of the full back from a ball played through and we looked dangerous…….and it was entertaining! Same on the right side in the starting moments of the second half.

I’ll stick my neck out and say I’m also keen on it. However getting the right players for the system is essential to it working, and there’s question marks there.

 

I agree in parts it was good to see quick counter attacks, but I can't help wondering why Hughes didn't get the players to suit the established system from last season, or get players to suit the new system this.

 

I'm sure Hughes is still working on bringing the right personnel in. However, it's been a very frustrating few weeks with no hint of any more new signings.

 

In fairness he warned everyone that two or three will come right at the end of the window. It’s completely different to last seasons 14-16 incomers and thankfully that’s how it should be over time.

Didn’t Two come in the last day last season Idle? Banks and ??

 

Wright came in at the end too. He was an unused sub in the Plymouth game yesterday.

 

Wright as well Kev, neither to much fanfare.

 

I'm standing up for Lewis here. Watch the clip below. Our defenders pass to him way too much and pass too hard as well.

He had to control this ball because even just hoofing it would have been tricky at the pace it came. The forward had already guessed that the ball was going to him and Lewis was only 10m from him.

What is Lewis supposed to do with the ball? He can't pass to the defender on the edge of the box as he will be closed down immediately. He has no options!

Our defenders need to take more responsibility at times and clear the ball themselves and not just pass the problem off to Lewis. He really didn't waste a lot of time here. He had no time.

 

He had plenty of time to clear it

 

Can’t agree BB, he completely lost concentration, allied to not watching his immediate surroundings. He was concentrating up the field if you watch?

 

I really wish they would cut out messing about in our own penalty area it causes far more problems than anything the opposition does

 

Did you watch it?

Why was he looking up the field? Because the formation is different to last year. Players aren't in the same positions they were last year. He's trying to pass to a teammate. That's what he's been told to do.

The point I'm making is the defenders who consistently put him under pressure are equally as culpable. The ball could have been cleared without it going to Lewis. Why didn't the defender clear it?

 

In my opinion, 100% Lewis fault. He had plenty of time to deal with and seemed oblivious to the encroaching Colchester player closing him down.

It's time for Lewis to pack the messing about at the back. He is a fine shot stopper, but worries me when they mess about at the back like that