Match Thread Bradford City v Liverpool (U21)EFL Trophy Tuesday 5/12/2023 @ 7.30pm (with Poll)

Some Questions

Can you sit anywhere and Do you think he will pick our first team.

 

I'd expect we'll go for another strong side similar to the team at faced Barnsley. I think Stubbs will start instead of Taylor to give him a game with Platt and Kelly as a back 3 to prepare for Saturday. Doyle is suspended so Lewis will be in goal. The team I think Alexander will go with is:

............................................Lewis
..............................Platt.....Stubbs.......Kelly
Halliday.....Chapman......Smallwood....Gilliead....Richards
...........................Cook..............Smith

Bench: Richardson, Tomkinson, Taylor, Oliver, Pointon, Gilliead, Oduor

 

Would hope to see Wilson get some gametime

 

You would think Taylor will start as he's suspended for the League.

 

I know Gillleads a utility player but expecting him to start and maybe come on as sub is a bit of a stretch.

 

It doesn't matter if we get to the final; I will still insist that we play a second-string team and not risk any of the key players in case of injury. Give the young keeper a game, let the loan lads have a kickabout before we ship them back in January and hopefully Pattison and Oliver can get some minutes. Fill the rest of the squad with our own kids

Richardson

Halliday (ideally a young right wingback from the kids team)
Tomkinson
Taylor
Kelly
Oduor

Chapman
Jeffreys
Pointon

Oliver
Afoka/Tulloch

 

GA has to be eyeing this trophy at this point.

It's not one many of us give a shit about, but any cup would be an achievement in his first season at the club.

I still wouldn't bother going to Wembley though.

 

Don’t agree he unsuccessfully tried to organise a behind the scenes match at the weekend. Obviously he will make some changes like giving Oliver his first start of the season and probably a place for Pointon. Win it and the money increases giving more for the January pot

 

Is tomkinson in the country for this one? Surely he’ll be in the squad if available.

I’m with Park on this one…the more wins, the more money in January.

 

100%, he would be mad if he wasn’t.
Albeit against league one kids, the Barnsley result was exactly what the management and squad needed. I’d be disappointed in GA if he wasn’t setting us up for the same given our season to date. A few tweaks yes eg Doyle GK, Chapman, Oliver and maybe Pointon (Tomkinson at a push) but that’s it.

Re Wembley though, I’m not having that for one minute. Surely no way you’d so easily choose to skip it…….it’s not our second home anymore (ha ha!)

 

Personally I’d rather go to Wembley for this than the playoffs. With what’s at stake I never enjoy the playoffs they’re just a means to an end. This would be a free hit and a day out nothing more, my boss is a Sunderland fan and he went down with his family. He was there against Leeds in the cup final in the 70’s he said he preferred this in terms of day out as he wasn’t bothered about the score.

 

I agree, we played a strong team against Barnsley, we didn't play at the weekend and clearly wanted to so strong team for me.

 

According to Simon Parker Taylor is suspended.

 

That helps us. Surprised a league suspension would take account of a Trophy game.

 

It's the League Trophy??

 

I agree, I watched Sunderland win this cup on Sky and the players and fans were just as delighted to win this as the 73 FA cup final players were. Would be great to take my 9 year old Grandson to Wembley as he was devastated when we lost to Carlisle last season. It would be a great day out and not as tense as a Play off final.

 

Osedebes ban was only restricted to this competition though, not the league games.

 

It's unfortunate he's not banned until May, regardless of the competition.

 

Your vendetta against Taylor continues