The Voice - Match preview #10: Bradford City vs Newport County Monday 7th October 2024 8:00pm

Walker - Didn't have much to do, and generally solid with decent distribution, but did look a bit flappy when they missed the open net in the first half - 6
Shepherd - Read the game well, good with the ball at his feet, a couple of slight wobbles - threatens Kelly's place in the medium term if he carries on playing as he has - 7
Byrne - Really strong in the air and on the ground, calm in possession , didn't put a foot wrong all game. Really hope it was a precaution taking him off and he's not injured as we've really missed him - 8
Diabate - Despite a strong start and some good moments since, there have been points in the last 3 games he's looked like he's never seen a football in his life - HIs marking for their goal was so poor it should have been a bookable offence - 5
Wright - Should have done a lot better with all the space he had in the first half, crossing not up to scratch and feel in games like that we'd be better with Richards out there putting them in. Did ok overall - 6
Benn - Solid defending, class going forward and finished with 2 assists. Was unthnkable at the start of the season Halliday wouldn't be able to get in on merit after 10 games but here we are - 9
Smallwood - I've been a real critic of Smallwood, accusing him of being a 1 good performance-in-3 merchant and hiding when it gets tough but there's been none of that ths season. Hard in the tackle and even now starting to dictate play - 8
Walker - Got his goal and was involved in everything good we did, much better in that 10 where we're able to get him on the ball than being wasted out on the wing - 9
Oduor - Did OK on the ball but fairly anonymous, wish sometimes he'd run at players like we know he can on the break / has isolated the full back. Don't know if it's a confidence thing or he's under orders but there's another level to come from him there - 6
Kavanagh - Did a lot of decent work in the build up and holding the ball up but didn't do enough to create a threat in the channels or in front of goal. Feel like Smith might deserve a crack based on his last two cameos - 6
Cook - I fecking love this man. I might even be IN love with him. Andy Cook - 8

Smith - Looked lively, could be useful in games stretched like this in future - 6
Pointon - Amazing impact from the bench and what a finish, truly incredible. The next stage in his development is to be able to effect a game from the start but that will come. For now I'm happy for him to keep performing miracles from the bench if necessary - 9

MOTM - Benn

 

Decided to give the game a miss and watched on tv last night.

It's strange watching on tv, first time I've done so for a home match, and you just don't get into it like when you are there.

It came across as very flat and no atmosphere whatsoever on tv.

That's the last time I will do that!

 

I’m probably gonna get rocks thrown at me, but was Pointons goal, actually an own goal? I’ll have to watch it again.

 

No, he gets to the ball first, even more remarkable he's done it with his left foot.

 

Yep was saying this to my lad after the game. I cannot believe we are only 4 points off the top, despite some of the shite results we have conjured up. If this doesn't prove the league is there for the taking this season then nothing does. I don't care it is is 1st, 2nd or 3rd place, but it needs to happen

 

The spin on the ball should answer that question.

 

Some strong scores and high positive reviews. You easy to please mate?

Yes, we played ok against a poor team.

Benn was our standout player. Halliday set for season in the bench.

Cook barring his goal was poor.
Walker was decent
Smallwood better than normal
Pointon good when he came on but I still don’t see where he gets into the team when everyone fit this season.
Kav was shi@te

Overall, we still need to improve. Newport could and should have scored 3 goals.

 

To think, but for the phantom goal against Salford and the penalty not given against Wimbledon we'd be joint top. Obviously, we need to find ways to take the result out of the hands of a refereeing decision but it does go to show how fine the margins are

 

I think the marks given are not far off. His description of the game is the same game I watched, although your comments do have merit. They were poor first half yet should still have scored and were the better team until Walker scored the second. That said, the performance was a big improvement as of late, we moved the ball quickly at times, something I've been critical of us not doing.
The real test I guess will come when we play teams around the top three.

 

I painted myself into a corner somewhat by not using half points but still, does 2 assists or a goal and an assist not give you a 9?

Funnily enough, from your comments you did seem to see the performances the same as I did, just through the lens of a miserable so and so!

 

If MK Dons had taken their chances we'd have been blown away first game, bar last night we've not played well this season. One thing in our favour, our everyone's favour is that there isn't a stand out team in this division. Makes it hard to predict who will finish top seven come the end of the season.

 

Unreal that we are 4 off the top after we've had 2 wins in the last 7 games. The quality is tragic this season in L2, if we use the Young money, and there must still be a 6 figure profit from last Jan with Lewis, Osadabe and East sold with us bringing in Kav, although that money has probably been moved elsewhere. But we should in theory have a decent 6 figure pot to go and get a quality CB and a proper partner for Cook, we'd piss this league.

 

Yes, fine margins as I say. Won't take much of an improvement to go on a run in this league

 

Any team could say that though. Fact is you have no clue how we will get on over the next 3-5 games because we have been poor so far .

 

Or indeed, if the terrible showings at Grimsby, Morecambe, Harrogate & Walsall conjured up more than a solitary point combined, we'd be clear at the top

Granted we have had a lot of changes in the defence, but our inability to not concede will kill us this season. Only Salford & Wimbledon - who are both really poor scorers so far - have failed to beat Walker in the league this season

Coincidentally, the worst scorers in the division are our next opponents Tranmere with a woeful 5 goals all season - let's hope this continues on Saturday and we finally get our first league win on the road since August 10th....

 

Any team could say that though, that's my point

 

I know Jamie, when subbed, had to walk half way round the ground but what a reception he got and well deserved.
That will have given him a real lift.....

 

You weren't alone. Looked a very sparse crowd.

 

Based on the games I've seen, we're pretty much exactly where we should be in the league, based on performances overall. Fine margins is true - we're not going to be a stand out side in this league in the way I believe we should be, but its within our gift to build enough momentum to get into the playoffs. It's a poor L2, it really is.