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

Second half was a nervous watch at the end.
Thought Shepherd had a very good game, didn't miss anything.
Worried a bit for injuries on Tuesday. As well as Kavanagh, I noticed Sarcevic feeling his hamstring about 5 minutes before he was subbed. Hope both are fine.

 

Halliday agree 100%, Smallwood completely and utterly disagree 110% . ! Opinions are a funny thing but Smallwood has been excellent for the last two months.

 

Think we’ve seen both sides.
Some of his touches last week were brilliant.

Thought he was completely anonymous and offered nothing today.

 

Nobody is sure …but let’s be fair here, he’s had little opportunity nor service in 4 half’s of football what ever it is .

He’s not a hoofball player and that’s what we had reverted to by the time he came on …?

 

Way harder than it needed to be, but a wins a win.

 

Wright should have been MOTM. He was the best player today

 

I thought Smallwood was decent too. Once he got a yellow card, he couldn’t tackle anymore and probably could have been subbed

 

First time I have seen Mellon, but that's a few times now we've tried Leigh in that position and it just kills us every time.

We need to stop that ASAP.

 

100%

Offered everything today that we’ve criticised him for not doing previously.
On the front foot from the first whistle and did his share of the shitty defensive stuff as well.

 

I have flashbacks of Tommy Doherty about him

 

Well, I think we are safe from relegation.

 

All I ask is effort and genuine, honest attempts to win the ball if you're out of position.

He doesn't give us that.

I know I'm gonna go full @NorthernMonkey with this one (he doesnt like Baldwin haha), and I'm not asking everyone to agree, but I think we've signed a shirker who would rather hide than battle - hence intentionally running into the back of people all the time. It means you're not really making an attempt for the ball, but you're in the vicinity. Makes you look busy but is utterly useless.

I agree with the general point though, it's our fault for recruiting him to play that role. We know it's not going to work. We are using him like that regardless.

 

February either breaks you or makes you.
The whole team and GA are doing exactly what's needed as well as progressing in the cup.
11 wins, 3 draws and only 2 defeats in all comps since the beginning of December!!!!
Keep grinding out these wins then into March, a lot of winnable matches and the new players will be fully integrated.

 

For a change ha.

 

West Yorkshire Sport Daily - Bradford City 1-0 Harrogate Town: Graham Alexander - BBC Sounds fair and honest assessment by Alexander, Kavanagh went off as he'd got a kick on his achilleas and it was stiffening up hopefully just a few days rest will have him back as without him second half we lacked our high press game with regards the Harrogate defence.

 

First half was ok... And only ok.

Second half... Wtf was that.

Reverted to type.... A lot harder than it needed to be

 

Crewe 2 down at half time at home to Newport.
Good for us.
A test next week.

 

That second half display proved to me what Kavanagh brings to the team, not always noticeable when he is playing but you don't half notice the difference when he's not. Sure his control can be poor and decision making questionable but his constant closing down and nuisance factor creates time and space for our other creative players. GA obviously rates him and on today's 2 halves it's easy to see why.
Let's hope whatever niggle he picked up today is merely superficial and he's back in contention on Tuesday.

 

Poor 2nd half after a great first half when we should have gone in 2-0 up at half time. However that is 22 points from the last 9 games which is not just promotion form but winning the league by a long way form.