The Voice - Match preview #29: Bradford City vs Harrogate Town Saturday 8th February 2025 12:30pm

Would like to see Mellon get a start if fit. Didn’t really get much service in his cameo the last weekend but Kav has been below par the last couple of games so would be good to try Mellon out.

 

Could the game be in doubt?

Snow is now scheduled to fall from around 2am until 10/11am with temperatures at 0/1c

 

The forecast I've seen on BBC and Met Office look ok, a bit of snow but turning to sleet and rain, if these forecasts are right then there shouldn't be any issues around the stadium and the pitch will be fine with the cover.

 

The Met office forecast is usually the most accurate, and that bottom one shows 8 hours of snow from 2-10am. I suppose it depends how heavy the snow is.

 

Edited for you.

 

The symbols for 8&9am are sleet rather than snow, if there was any sort of risk I think there would be at least a yellow weather warning out for snow

 

I wouldn't, simply because Kavanagh got the winner against both Carlisle and Morecambe.

I'd definitely play him in these games against other struggling sides personally since he has form for scoring against sides like that.

 

I fear Kav has started to snatch at shots or shoot when better options are available. Could this be a sign that he's trying too hard? I'd start him on the bench tomorrow and hopefully it has a positive effect on him.

 

Sure, fair enough.

I think he's always had that in him, definitely tries very hard, too hard perhaps as you say - but I think that's also what might unsettle back lines that are lacking confidence.

Do I think he'll score 20 goals or demolish one of our playoff rivals? Nah. But I think he's got something about him and he needs confidence.

Whatever happens, I'm happy enough with his contribution of late, if we do indeed start someone else that's fine. I'd rather it wasn't Tommy Leigh up front on his own though as I don't believe that would work haha

 

Just over 4 hours to kick off and the weather is fine, going to need to be pretty drastic in the next few hours for the game to be in danger.get your coats on, get your lungs filled with air and get down to VP and roar the lads home.

 

It's a cold one but the game will be on for sure! I feel a demolition coming today, and I don't think just mean the sausage sarnie I'm cooking. Time to give these a thumping in hopefully the last time they come to VP for a while.

 

I think many of us said late in 2024 he was trying too hard to please , so yes it’s creeping back maybe?

 

Can't get out the door now for that 8 hours of snow.

 

With shephard looking doubtful and Kelly and Richards out I see 3 changes at the back from the Wimbledon starting line up which hopefully doesn't unsettle the backline too much.

Crichlow will definitely start in place of Kelly but I suppose it's a toss of a coin between Wright (who played reasonably well Tuesday) and Tayo for Richards position. As for who replaces shephard you would expect Huntingdon to come in but I wouldn't rule out bryne who also looked solid Tuesday to come back into the reckoning. The other area is who plays upfront I have a sneaky feeling we may see Mellon start today with Kav on the bench and then swap on Tuesday for Accy. I also think Pointon may start on the bench after playing most of the game at Rotherham.

I see lapslie and Khela dropping out of the squad for this one. With bryne and walker (who definitely deserves a place in the squad) being on the bench

This is how I think Alexander will start.

Walker

Baldwin
Huntingdon
Crichlow

Halliday
Pattison
Smallwood
Tayo

Sarcevic
Mellon
Leigh

Subs
Hilton
Wright
Leigh
Bryne
Kavanagh
Pointon
Walker

Come Tuesday I would expect 2/3 changes Pointon Kav and Leigh probably coming back in.

 

Walker

Halliday
Baldwin
Huntington
Crichlow
Wright

Pattison
Smallwood

Sarcevic
Pointon

Kav

 

I’ve got Nanook of the North for first goal scorer.