The Voice - Match preview Stockport County vs Bradford City Tuesday 15th August 2023 7:45pm

Agree. He doesn’t look like his moving comfortably and because of his body shape, gives the illusion to some that he’s over weight.

Hughes interview and Jones post-match commentary said it takes a few games to get up to speed. If we had the squad it would be ideal to rest him, both as subs in the past games but also from the starting lineup. Surely there’s a way of adapting how we play, via the channels perhaps, and utilise Smith’s movement and play him alongside Derbyshire, to give Cook a rest?

No denying he’s not started the season well - but no doubt he’ll regain his form quickly once he looks fully match fit, sharp and gets off the mark.

 

No I’m simply pointing out that we often think some players we have at the club are shit but then they go on to other clubs and do ok, so I’m questioning whether those players are used correctly whilst we have them.

 

I know Smallwood is rightly getting praised for his pass to Cook for the goal, but my God the Stockport defence was shocking for that one. Smallwood had a pass to a completely open striker, about ten yards from the nearest defender - and not because of his positioning, because of theirs!

And if you watch the highlights of their last game, they conceded the exact same goal against Walsall lol (only it was a cross to an unmarked forward with 1 back rather than a Smallwood pass to an unmarked Cook to get the assist)

They're so intent on attacking constantly that when they give the ball away in a bad area (which all teams do), for some reason there's always just one defender defending, and everyone else attacking.

They're gonna need to fix that.

But that's not really our problem.

 

Let's face it, anyone who has bought one of their Macron shirts will know that any extra pounds you might be carrying will be obvious to the world in those ridiculous slim fit shirts we have!

I think he is carrying a knock from the first match, then the bang of heads at Accy, but we don't have a 90 minute alternative. I don't see Derybshire being able to last 90, not only that but we'd had to change the entire set up to the forward man as Derbyshire isn't going to win headers or contest like Cook does to win the duels and get Odour/Smith/Walker/Pattison onto the 2nd balls. If Cook can lace his boots, he plays at the minute will be Hughes' thinking.

 

Last season repeating itself ?.

 

Carrying a knock ?.

 

And Morecambe is the exact place to get his season going .

 

I blamed him last night for the same reason, I would need a better view to be sure. There was also another dropped simple cross. Is his mind elsewhere, because whilst making some critical saves, ( Sat) he becoming worryingly inconsistent since Getafe?

 

No he wouldn’t. He was touting himself around for a job, “ I love Bradford City” , remember that B/ S he came out with when begging for a job?

 

Yes I thought he was OTT in critic throughout the game.

 

Why oh why do players wife’s or partners join in Twitter rants, it’s bloody embarrassing and needless.

 

It would if Crankcase had scored County’s winner….eeeek!

 

I agree with most of that and I'd certainly give Odusina a start, but sorry @Bantam75 I can't go with that I don't think for one minute any player can turn their performances on and off, Cook after 3 games could/should have been the leagues top scorer with for him 5/6 easy chances, I had a feeling he wouldn't score from the penalty for exactly the reason the commentators said, Challinor and Hinchliffe had done their homework on Cooks penalties, he rarely deviates from the keepers right and even though Hinchliffe guessed right it was hardly hit with any venom, onward to Morecambe and see what awaits us from Uncle Derek.

 

But maybe not with last nights three ?.

 

LOL!! Can't wait to hear Adam's take on this match.

 

A good point in a tough fixture against a side who'll be up there. The performances are still random though, the shape and the passages of play with the ball are still a mess, and I still have serious doubts over Hughes approach.

Where we have problems, they won't be solved by asking the likes of Odusina to come in, in my opinion. We need at least 1 quality CB bringing in, a wingback, and a dynamic and mobile forward to challenge or partner Cook. Derbyshire is a waste of a shirt.

 

More or less how I saw the game @Morley Bantam , I wasn't under the impression we sat back and allowed them to come at us, they are at home a goal down why wouldn't they throw the kitchen sink at us and yet we created two golden opportunities to take all three points, onward and upward Uncle Derek you'd better be ready as there will be 1000+ Bradfordians screaming their side on come Saturday, and maybe amongst their chants there will be a few about your good self, don't take it personally very few past manager get away without stick.

 

We desperately need someone who can replace Cook late in games if he is struggling. Maybe it was fatigue which caused him to miss the penalty?

 

Not sure whether the knock he took on his knee in an earlier game is affecting him too.

With Oliver out for a while, we definitely need reinforcements up front.

 

I thought McDonald looked a different class again when he came on.