The Voice - Match preview Bradford City vs Gillingham Saturday 22nd April 2023 @ 3:00pm

Late to the party so apologies if this has been mentioned earlier….anyone see Neil Harris giving the fingers to the crowd behind the dugout when they equalised? Horrible Millwall thug!

 

What a truly pathetic showing in the first half Gillingham should have been out of sight. Different team second half however one minor thing sums up the tactics under this manager. Gillingham equalise in the last minute of injury time and we kick of with a pass back to the keeper

 

Today was the first time in years that I've been genuinely gutted by a result.

Our last relegation was inevitable for a while, so no individual result really stung. It was disappointing to miss out in the League 1 play offs both times, but not the end of the world.

After we'd gone 2-1 it felt like we'd got out of jail, at no point had we looked like a team playing like promotion was on, but we'd benefitted from a keeper practically throwing one in, and a fairly innocuous penalty to mean it was still in our hands, so to blow it like we did stings. League 2 football is barely watchable in my eyes, the prospect of another year (at least) of it is almost unbearable.

 

Terrible first half, sort of similar to Tuesday night. Very tough to take 97th minute goal when surely there was not that much time, but whatever, we should still have won after taking the lead. It’s not over yet and as for the imbeciles sending death threats - crawl back under your stones. Pathetic.

 

What a sucker punch that was! As Salford were scoring their winner deep into injury time we concede a last minute equaliser. I've not felt this deflated for a long time.

I think the reason for that is simply down to the significance of that equalising goal. From potentially being 2 points off the automatics and buoyant going into a crucial game against Northampton, we are instead clinging on to the last play-off spot by a very marginal goal difference, with the stuffing knocked out of us.

Yes, we have a tough set of remaining fixtures, but we are still presented with a brilliant opportunity. Let's see this team dust themselves down and hold nothing back for these remaining 3 fixtures.

 

Who should Smallwood have passed to then?

 

Two particularly unfathomable things from Hughes today.

Firstly, Midway through the second half was the only time in the game we were building a bit of momentum. When their player went down and needed treatment our whole squad came over to the bench for an impromptu drinks break which lasted about four minutes, breaking momentum and contributing to the injury time at the end of the game.

Secondly, the setup after the late substitutions just invited pressure, which eventually told. Putting Derbyshire on right up top and introducing Platt into the defence left a massive gap in the middle for Gillingham to take control of.

I don't care about who he played for, how many Premier League games he managed or how famous he is, his game management is appalling. How often have we been caught out late on this season?

 

Once again I find myself agreeing with you Mr Ford, bewildering how a top business man could get into that sort of situation where he as a multi millionaire get's into bed with someone he hardly knew and then allows him virtually free reign with regards OUR CLUB, mind blowing, more worrying was the fact that many were aware of what was happening at OUR CLUB yet the message of what was happening at was ignored until a couple of ordinary Bradford City fans got into Rupps ear and told him some home truths.

 

There was plenty to moan about today, but that’s one of the most bizarre things. It goes back to the keeper so he can try kick it to the edge of the opposition box. Most teams do similar.

 

Perm any from 9

 

I bet those same fans behind the dug outs were giving it big style to Harris when Cook stuck the penalty away .

 

They clearly got lead into a false sense of security at Rochdale away, fist pumping, absolutely buzzing, 3,000 fans chanting, the best away atmosphere of the season - it felt like it was finally coming true. The fans can only do so much, the ball is played on the pitch, they haven’t done enough to warrant the play offs. As sad as it is.

 

But this seasons quote “a free hit” it’s all set up for next season is it not

 

I will. Halliday. Now what?

 

Who told you first half injury time is carried over to the end of the game?

 

As Salford were scoring their winner deep into injury time …… with TEN MEN! That is the difference between a promotion team and a have a go mid table team. Fight desire passion commitment ruthless win at all costs mentality. Something we are sadly lacking.

 

What has he done wrong this season? He’s backed Hughes, not interfered in transfers, not insisted on selling players, he’s far from a disgrace Fordy, but you hate everyone at the club from Rupp to Sparks to Andy Cook, you even despise Parker.

 

What are you talking about?

 

do you think we will get 9 points from the last three games?

 

We had 5 years of failure under Lawn and Rhodes from 2007/12 .Did you give them the same criticism. It’s not Rupps fault we haven’t gone up this season, though I didn’t think it would be long before the usual suspects blame him. Incidentally we didn’t fail in his first year, we got to Wembley.