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

If results go our way we could be 3 points behind them come this time next week, and some wanted them to beat our rivals and run away with the league! Forget that let’s get on the hunt.

 

Gareth Ainsworth looks to be getting Shrewsbury going in the right direction.

 

Wheels well and truly coming off the Walsall bus, come on City we can catch them.

 

Like everyone said, a really good first thirty minutes but I can't think Alexander will be happy with anything much after that. We let ourselves get dragged down to their level really.

Still, a good three points and hopefully Accrington's battle against Wimbledon took a lot out of them and we can freshen up a bit and push for another three points.

Wimbledon v Crewe could be interesting also on Tuesday. Crewe seemingly had a stinker today.

 

Away form has to improve rapidly.

Joint 1st on home form
Joint 13th on away form.

 

100% agree.

 

Totally agree. We've proved we can play football on the deck as we did against Rotherham and the first half today. No need to hoof.

 

It was a very fair and realistic interview from Alexander but in my opinion Raynor is getting worse. Just wish he would ask meaningful questions rather than sucking up all the time. A small gripe!

 

As others have said first half we should have been a couple to the good but the 2nd half we really took the foot off the pedal. A wins a win and we aren't going to play good football every week.

Shephard was MoTM and he just gets better game on game how I wish we could sign him permanently. How he old man their player for a foul in the 2nd half was class for such a young player and something of the dark arts we have missed.

Wright was very good especially first half as was Sarcevic. Baldwin Crichlow Halliday were solid enough. Smallwood does what Smallwood does Pattison showed glimpses of what he can do but was nowhere near at his best likewise for Pointon who despite getting into space was trying for the cross field too much although his cross for Sarcevic was sublime. Kavanagh was the nuisance forward he is but never really got a chance in front of goal.

Leigh seemed to struggle today when he replaced Kav but looked better when Mellon came on and he dropped back. Walker did exactly what he had to do slow the play down run into corners etc. Huntingdon was the man mountain when he came on and the only real chance Harrogate created he got in the way off. The fact we have so many options will hopefully see us over the line as I doubt many other teams have such a deep squad as ours.

Any player struggling with a niggle like Kav and Sarcevic I hope Alexander doesn't push them to be fit for Tuesday. I would prefer they have a extra few days to recover. Walker or Leigh can cover for Sarcevic and Mellon can do likewise for Kav.

 

I was one, because I couldn’t see us catching them. But they are clearly in disarray after losing their two main strikers. They had a very direct method of playing which was proving very effective. But the enforced changes have clearly made them far less dangerous. They could go into freefall. All to play for.

 

Good write up from Jason. Some good comments wrt Alexander as well. Fair praise really.

https://widthofapost.com/2025/02/08/alexander-the-great-improver-keeps-bradford-city-ticking-forwards/

 

Not sure what he could have asked as Alexanders interview was basically what most have posted on here, great first half which we more or less controlled but second half was a let down, although we have put a very good run together even accepting there was little in last weeks game at Wimbledon the hysteria of the Walsall game and the fact our last 3 wins have been by the single goal suggests we do miss what Cook brings to the table and that's not just his goals.

 

It was clear for us all to see as soon as Jamille Matt got injured at VP . Once he went off they offered absolutely nothing up front . They did little to replace their two top scorers other than bring in two “ anyone’s” as best can be seen thus far .

 

Let's hope that he is fit for Tuesday.

Viewing the second-half, it doesn't seem as though either Leigh or Mellon can offer the intensity of pressure that Kavanagh does. Our success in the last few weeks, for me, has started with the effort from Kavanagh with the support of Pattison, Sarcevic and Pointon to close down so effectively. It has also taken the pressure off the defence.

When we swop out these four, there isn't the same level of understanding yet. Something for GA to ponder on.

 

Matt was back today Steve but only lasted 62 minutes with the poor run they've had maybe Sadler wanted to give him game time, as we know he's a big asset to Walsall, very much in the McGoldrick mould, old heads that know how to win free kicks which are very much a big part of Walsall's game as I believe they lead the table with regards goals scored from set pieces.

 

We are currently winning games we would not have in the past few years. Long may that continue.

At least we are virtually safe from the drop now.

 

Why??
Everyone on here always says win at home and draw away don't they??

 

I was thinking exactly the same as I drove home, there was a time we would have conceded a late goal in against that type of opposition. Thankfully we seem mentally stronger now

 

Think Morais summed up all recent signings well by explaining the importance of giving them time since they’ve played very little football and have come into a club and team who are starting to find a groove as they’ve planned - essentially saying they need a bit of time to find the same groove. Completely fair and pretty much echoed in GA’s post match interview.

I think Leigh has been ok so far. We haven’t seen enough of Mellon or Lapslie to give an opinion IMO.