The Voice - Match preview #26: Bradford City vs Walsall Saturday 25th January 12:30pm

100% this. Tbf I reckon Cook could have easily played this solo striker role with the legs we now have around, players that Cook barely played with.

A box midfield working with a back 5......
"you can kill the man, but not the idea".

 

I thought Leigh did quite well when he came on brought the ball down lovely and brought a good save out the keeper I think he could turn into a good signing

 

Get a heated gilet, I’m telling you , body warmer and wee dryer all in one

 

It's great to see us not relying on Andy Cook, who we know won't be back this season so we have to get on with it, but as I believe you was pointing out in your reply its taken well into second half of the season to get both Pattison and Sarcevic up to speed and with that it allows Smallwood and Pointon to play their natural game.

 

I'm not complaining how could any fan after that performance, but I was under the impression Mellon was more a natural one man striker as he showed us at Morecambe when he was unplayable at times, scoring twice I believe.

 

I must admit, I don't even remember seeing Mellon warm up down the touchline?

 

As I replied to @Park bantam I thought Mellon was a more natural replacement but 3 - 0 dominating performance for the whole 90 minutes Alexander didn't get much (or anything) wrong, I thought Tommy was more of a midfield player.

 

Yes Smallwood has had his critics and I have been one of many that has written him off, but delighted to say he looks a different player with those 2 alongside him.
He has a key role to play in this set up and in all honesty he can't be faulted in recent games.

 

On reflection I think you may be correct although I rarely took my eyes off the game, and I can't say that's been the situation many times this season.

 

I glance over usually if a few get sent out to see who it is or if nothings happening in the game, but Johnson, Khela and Lapslie were out a lot in both halves. Wonder if he's not fully fit?

 

Great job today by the team, once they got over the first 15 minutes and settled into the game there was only one winner.
I was a bit surprised by Walsall, 2:0 down and losing your captain and big man even with subs they seemed to have no plan b to get back into the game.

 

It must be difficult for Smallwood not to have any sort of consistency around him before this little good run, your correct he's had some stick and looking back maybe the guy was frustrated throwing his arms about and generally being anything but a claiming influence, but these last few games he's playing his natural game breaking stuff up ETC and letting the likes of Pattison/Sarcevic get on with the attacking stuff.

 

We seemed to be playing 3-6-1 today with tremendous flexibility and loads of movement. Great to see.

 

And without cook

 

Be interesting to hear Walsalls manager's opinion on the game. @Bronco you'll oblige ta!

 

Bang right Dave, very harsh on Cooky to say we are better without him. This performance is more about getting Sarcevic and Pattison match fit and match sharp, which has the knock on affect of making Richie Smallwood more affective. Plus having our best back three fully fit.

 

I think we are that bit less predictable without Cook. He is a terrific goal scorer but all our play goes through him. I think Kavanagh’s of the ball running and closing down has helped a lot as has different options in attack

 

I think so mate but its a forum everyone has the right to express their opinion on what they saw and how what they saw can be interpreted into were better off without Cook.

 

I have the slightest - SLIGHTEST - of concerns arising from today's game, and that is... Tommy Leigh coming on up front.

His past two clubs have told us that is not what Tommy Leigh does or where he should be playing, and I hope GA and the team aren't silly enough to have signed him because he happened to play up front for MK during an injury crisis.

There's no way Accrington and MK Dons fans would have the exact same gripe if it wasn't true. He's a midfielder, not a forward. Presumably Mellon will occupy that role when fit.

 

Could be. I'm sure I remember GA saying last week he hasn't played a competitive game for 14 months.