The Voice - Match preview #21: Bradford City vs Port Vale Thursday 26th December 3:00pm

I thought Chislett was arguably the best player on the pitch with Cook and Pointon. But he had to do everything with no support whatsoever. Sort of player who would fit in at Notts County

 

The Barrow match is looming in the background though and our away form is at best average. A good result there as well will bring confidence.

 

I can't see how any player could be deemed to have obstructed the keeper for Cooks second, simple header duly dispatched by Cook, if the ref did over ruled his linesman IMO he did the correct thing.

 

Agree they were really disappointing , especially as some said pre season, they were a club with a plan and nailed on to go straight back up after investing lots of funds into the squad. They were poor imho.

 

I believe Pattison has the ability to play further up the pitch and compared with Kavanagh I'd say he's more capable of getting double figures over a season, maybe go with just the one striker up top but Kav's had enough game time this season and has offered little, but for some strange reason that doesn't seem to worry Alexander as his reply in his post match interview West Yorkshire Sport Daily - Bradford City 2-1 Port Vale: Graham Alexander - BBC Sounds have a listen 3:20 minutes into the interview Alexander makes himself sound a little foolish with his reply, Cook didn't score last week or the week before, if it hadn't been for a save from the Swindon keeper Cook would have scored but even though he didn't he was instrumental in our only goal that got us the three points, I do worry with regards some of his comments, lets hope maybe a second striker is on our shopping list.

 

You do understand that they could say that about all of our players barring Cook also. It’s not as if we were great yesterday.

 

I believe they are second still? Think they are in a good position to go up at this current moment.

 

You know what our bipolar fan base is like, win a game we're going up, lose and they contemplate relegation. We were an improvement yesterday on the Notts County game, we couldn't have been any worse. Should really have had the game sewn up after Cookys wonder strike but in truth again struggled creatively. January needs to see players in and out with an emphasis on pace and movement.

 

I don't think there is anything wrong with what he's said, it's a typical manager comment about it being a team game and not just 1 player which is true, Cook might have scored 2 goals yesterday but without a big save from Walker the game is 2-2. I wouldn't expect any manager to say their team is a 1 man team no matter how many goals that player is scoring. It's about making the other players feel just as important and their role in the team is vital even though Cook gets all of the headlines. They'll know that is goals are vital and a big part of our total tally but without the work of the others his goals mean nothing.

With the formation we are playing at the moment Kavanagh is being played as a winger and I don't think that suits him but likewise it wouldn't suit Pattison as his main strength is the runs from midfield. I expect Pattison will come in for Sarcevic on Sunday to give Sarcevic a rest as much as any tactical reasons with him just coming back from injury.

 

Agree Fordy but my point was they were disappointing and I had to agree , not one (imho) of their side on display yesterday would slot readily into our first 11. Considering their investment on the playing side I thought they would put us under real pressure. Other than one outstanding and one lesser save from Walker, did they show a great deal in the box?

I oddly think he mishit the shot for their goal too, but that’s picky?

 

I'll give their lad the benefit of the doubt but that was my view that he'd sliced it

 

We would have beaten Walsall if Odour had not missed an open goal.

 

You know whats worrying me is that should we win our next two games we suddenly put hold to any January transfers ...........someone shpuld be in the door during the 1st week but you just watch the mentality now if we get two god results

 

I was quite looking forward to watching Croasdale.
Somebody posted about watching him against Harrogate and bulled him and the PV squad up as being something we could only dream of.

Must have been an off day yesterday because on that performance alone Smallwood was better.I thought he had a half decent performance yesterday and whilst he can be massively improved on I wouldn’t be bashing their door down to sign 30 year old Croasdale.

 

All about opinions, I'm not sure what Walkers save has to do with that particular comment from Alexander that's his job just as its Cooks job to hit the back of the net, unfortunately others aren't doing their job with regards assisting with goals. I thought pulling the lad up for making a legitimate comment most on here would totally agree with made Alexander look rather silly, are we going to give Halliday an assist for his throw in ?.

 

My auntie would have been my uncle if she had a pair of balls.

 

Hard to judge him on one performance but he wouldn't be the sort of player our midfield needs based on that.

 

Said similar a couple of weeks ago Gaz. Rupp was there yesterday and may well have come away thinking 'brilliant, I don't have to spend anything in January'.

 

It is hard to judge admittedly and It’s not like he’s 25 either.
He’s 30 (not ancient I know) and the Vale fan who posted said he’s decent but knackered.
We are more than ok in the decent but knackered midfielders thank you very much.