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Ryan Sparks in newsletter

Discussion in 'City Talk' started by Dratsab taf, Oct 1, 2021.

  1. Dratsab taf

    Dratsab taf Squad Player

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    It has been a busy month at the club since this e-mail was last sent out to you and we are once again looking forward to a Sky Bet League Two fixture at the Utilita Energy Stadium.

    We head into tomorrow’s match against Rochdale on the back of a disappointing defeat at the hands of Crawley Town, and I think it goes without saying we need to put last weekend right - on the grass - tomorrow.

    I understand last Saturday’s defeat left a taste of bitterness in many mouths. Following the full-time whistle, concerns were levelled at areas of the football club.

    While I understand some of the frustrations aired, given the fact we have slid down the league table and taken only two points from our past five league games, it is important to contextualise where we are just now.

    We were third in the league after five games, and now sit 12th - after nine. The standings are something I, for one, do not look too closely at so early in the season.

    To be completely clear, our aim for this season has not changed. Nothing at the club, in terms of our vision, strategy, model or ownership has altered from that enjoyable afternoon at Mansfield to Saturday’s disappointment at Crawley.

    There have been a few changes in recent weeks, with the arrival of new scouts and the departure of a player. This has been done with a focus on our progression, but the outcome of our season will not be determined any time soon, and there is no concern on my part.

    When you are striving to improve and enhance any organisation, there will be changes and points of difference along the way. If you are satisfied with where you are - every single day of the week - you are not going to move forward.

    I understand the pain you have felt following the past three or four years of decline, and this in itself brings a natural reaction of panic and unrest when things appear to have gone off course, so to speak.

    Every single person connected to Bradford City AFC has a huge desire to enjoy success. We are on the same page and entirely united on this matter, supporters, partners and employees. There is genuine ambition inside the four walls of Valley Parade and it is my responsibility to ensure we as a club deliver.

    Finally, and to clear up comments made regarding the club’s ownership over the weekend, I am not comfortable with excuse-making culture. Stefan Rupp is supporting me, the manager and our hard-working staff in our efforts to build a better Bradford City.

    Shifting the blame and the narratives every time we do not pick up three points on the field does not help anyone, and masks over below-par on-field performances. We have an honest group of players who, themselves, were not happy with Saturday, or the Saturday before that. They certainly are not looking at the club’s ownership for a cop-out. I will reiterate my previous point: nothing has changed at board level since the season began.

    A great deal of hard work is going on within our performance department to get us back on track. All being well, we will have everyone fit and raring to go by the end of this month - and the picture will look different as we look to climb the table once more.

    Thank you for your support. I hope we are able to deliver a result you deserve tomorrow afternoon and that it is the start of a great month.

    All the best,

    Ryan.
     
    Stoneski likes this.
  2. Rcbantam

    Rcbantam Squad Player
    P.L.23/24 Entrant

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    Still no excuse for signing crap players in the first place. EVERY SEASON. They never learn!
     
  3. ahar964

    ahar964 Squad Player
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    Is he having a dig at Adams in the 3rd and 4th paragraphs from the end or am I reading too much into it? He doesn't mention the manager at all otherwise
     
  4. Fordy117

    Fordy117 Just call me Mr Flip-Flop!
    Bubbles car wash

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    Who is Rupp supporting the club Ryan? Stop dancing and tell it how it is.
     
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    Craven Cottager likes this.
  5. bantamlad92

    bantamlad92 Squad Player
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    I read it as a criticism to all the internet City fans on Twitter, perhaps on here, who are having a pop at how the club is run and speculating about what may or may not be going on behind the scenes.

    Either way, it was written as a bit of a riddle. Trying to be clear but not really clarifying anything, aside from the fact 'nothing has changed since 7 or 8 weeks ago.'
     
    Briggus, XCIV_Bantam and ahar964 like this.
  6. Hulmebantam

    Hulmebantam Squad Player
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    That's how I read it.
     
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    Storck likes this.
  7. Chris Withe

    Chris Withe Fringe Player

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    If this is true, then tell the fan base just what he's doing. I understand that travel in and out of the UK has been tricky for the last 18 months, so it's probably been difficult for Stefan to come and go as he pleases. Yet, for many supporters he looks like an archetypal absent landlord that's practically washed his hands of the club.

    I honestly don't believe that Rupp is anything like as malign as his former partner. But when things aren't going well it's easy to believe that the club's in a sorry state because they are being effectively managed by the former head of social media who's risen rapidly to a position he's possibly not qualified for. Inaction and a lack of oversight can ultimately prove as damaging as outright stupidity.
     
  8. Dennis

    Dennis Captain
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    I really hope there is some money left in the piggy bank to spend on better quality players in January if Sparks' aim for promotion is to be delivered. Even when Canavan, Angol and Vernam are back from injury, I don't believe our squad is good enough to achieve promotion without further reinforcement. That will cost money.
     
  9. Kevin1954

    Kevin1954 Squad Player
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    Yes I thought that immediately. Not a problem, he s Adams boss !
     
  10. Fordy117

    Fordy117 Just call me Mr Flip-Flop!
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    Fans that are real with themselves instead of getting excited because we best BPA in a mean less friendly match could see we lacked quality and we still do.

    We have to hope we are in and around the automatic mix come January and we have money to spend because this squad will struggle to get promoted unless we add 1 or 2 quality players.
     
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  11. Dennis

    Dennis Captain
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    What's the story behind his comment dismissing any impending ownership changes?
     
    Gardscoigne likes this.
  12. How

    How Knows Football
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    Don’t look at the league table after 9 games garbage. Does he think we don’t know how football works? We can see with our own eyes the paper thin garbage filled squad if it stays this way will get no where near promotion. It’s not rocket science
     
  13. King Cole

    King Cole Impact Sub

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    Yes, I assume he's clearing up the ill conceived comments made by Adams, otherwise he'd have specifically referred to "on social media".
     
    Idlebantam likes this.
  14. bantamlad92

    bantamlad92 Squad Player
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    The worrying part is, I'm not so sure there is anything left to spend, hence the manager's recent public frustrations at the squad depth. We were told pre-season that this season's objective was promotion and nothing less, which was further backed by the appointment of Adams.

    Unfortunately, the recruitment which was supposed to give us that promotion squad failed miserably in the summer transfer window, and when it became evident he threw the last roll of the dice in desperation by bringing in Theo Robinson, which even Derek Adams won't give the time of day to.

    The person in charge of that failed recruitment ultimately paid the price with his job. The question now remains to be seen whether or not Rupp is willing to invest further in January, or whether this season is an early write-off because with the squad in its current state we're finishing no higher than mid-table. I am inclined to believe he will invest, given our recent new acquisitions in the scouting and recruitment department.

    The lack of depth in the squad has been exposed in our cup ties. Losing to 2 kids sides (Forest and Man Utd) and a walloping by Lincoln.

    The failures lie with Sparks and Turnbull, one of which is no longer here, and the other now has to face the music.
     
  15. Idlebantam

    Idlebantam Squad Player
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    There was a definite not so very concealed message that Adams has had his knuckles rapped over his comments last weekend.

    I trust and hope Adams accepted his ticking off and we all move on now.

    Wouldn't surprise me to hear Trueman doing the post match interview tomorrow!
     
    Inspector, Dratsab taf and King Cole like this.
  16. King Cole

    King Cole Impact Sub

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    Derek is very eloquent when given free rein. However, he does get rattled when he doesn't like the line of questioning. All in stark contrast to Gary Bowyer who was so laid back when put on the spot.
     
    Inspector and Wakefield Bantam like this.
  17. Parader

    Parader Impact Sub

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    Canavan will be player manager by the end of the month.
     
  18. Bronco

    Bronco Star Player
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    Do you fancy a £10 Bradford Burns Unit bet I believe your wrong ?.
     
  19. Tight1-0Victory

    Tight1-0Victory Fringe Player

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    Sounds like a vote of confidence I'm just not sure who the recipient is lol
     
    #19 Tight1-0Victory, Oct 1, 2021
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2021
  20. Bantamsteve

    Bantamsteve Impact Sub

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    Himself
     
    Fordy117 and Stoneski like this.

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