The Voice - Match preview #28: AFC Wimbledon vs Bradford City Saturday 1st February 2025 3:00pm

Spot on….

 

We are only a quarter of a point off 2 points every match, currently averaging 1.75.
That would be 80 points come May.
GA feels we are stronger than before January so our average can and probably will improve.
Our home form is excellent so with 2 games coming up at home then a winnable away match the average will imo keep ticking over nicely.

 

Could well be wide of the mark Dave
Just take most things that come out of his mouth with a "pinch of salt"
See what tomorrow brings but certainly yesterdays decision was puzzling

 

I think you are misinterpreting, the point is you play your best team in the league when facing your rivals for promotion and you don't break up a winning team. You rest him in the vertu cup. If not injured Pointon given recent performances should have at least made the bench and if he surfaces on Tuesday I would question priorities at the club.

 

Agreed Steve, definitely need to take GA comments with a pinch of salt, he can say what he wants without any comeback its too matey with Rayner.

Interview at 2.19 references 4 players not available for Tuesday and having to try and do something today. Rayner then just accepts that and asks another question. The winning goal was a mix up so you have to question if dropping Halliday was the right decision too.

 

Perhaps he should have stuck to boxing then.

 

I can remember and am sure you can
When at least half the 1st team squad played all 46 league games and cups and friendlies and had part/full time jobs
Guess what we were in the same division too
Funny how things change

 

If GA is going to rest Pointon when we play physical teams,he is not going to get many starts is he.

 

He's worrying about the opposition rather than playing to our strengths

 

I think GA was in a no win situation yesterday. He couldn’t keep playing the same 11 and risk longer term injuries to key players. We have decent strength in the squad so making a couple of changes made sense. Had he not, a fair few would’ve had to play again on Tuesday.

 

Nail on head we are not clinical enough.
I know we beat Morcambe on Tuesday but that last minute chance where Pattison broke free and tried to square to Sarc was a prime example of missing chances that can cost us points.

 

Bantams starlet Bobby Pointon did boxing as a youngster | Bradford Telegraph and Argus

Boom boom.

 

You can't leave players out in anticipation that they might get injured,and I doubt GA is clairvoyant.

 

But if the stats say they're likely to pick up an injury you can. Not saying that was the case but you can't run players into the ground.

 

I agree. It was different years ago, we play at a much higher tempo. Not sure we should be so hooked up to the computers analysis of players fitness but it certainly gives you an indication of fitness.

 

But the game then was played at nothing like today’s pace.

 

I was really angry leaving the ground Saturday. Not least because of the trek back to the tube station, but i felt like we were lethargic and didn't create enough.

That being said, not the end of the world and we know Wimbledon are strong. We have to win Saturday.

 

And a lot more physicality

 

True. But players these days seem to get a lot more muscle strain injuries, which equates with a more athletic physically demanding, faster game, than knocks from tackles etc. Which is why, with today’s vastly improved diagnostic monitoring, players are more likely to be rested before they get injured, if they are seen to be nearing the limits of their capabilities.
Also, in the ‘good old days’ many players were only able to play every game, as you mentioned, because they were routinely pumped full of steroids (eg James Hanson) to allow them to play whilst injured, and many paid for it with long term effects in retirement.

 

The 'Bobby struggles against physical sides' or 'easily pushed off the ball' comments are a load of rubbish. People just say the same crap about any player who is under 6ft. Boring and tired argument. He is more than strong enough to hold his own