The Voice - Match preview (a) v Crawley Town - Sat 5 August 2023 3pm

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EFL LEAGUE TWO FIXTURE #1

Saturday 5th August 15:00
Crawley Town vs Bradford City
Broadfield Stadium

22/23 Results:

Bradford City 1 – 1 Crawley Town
Crawley Town 0 – 0 Bradford City

Head-to-Head Form: DDLLL

Won: 4
Drawn: 3
Lost: 7

Biggest Margin of Victory:

17 Sep 2011: Crawley Town 3 – 1 Bradford City
19 Aug 2014: Crawley Town 1 – 3 Bradford City
13 Apr 2021: Bradford City 0 – 2 Crawley Town

CRAWLEY TOWN

Last season was something of a bloodbath for Crawley Town.

Aside from an extremely poor league performance that saw them finish in 22nd place, just 3 points above the drop zone, Crawley Town haemorrhaged no fewer than 12 players by mutual consent across the season. Goalkeeper Glenn Morris was chief among the departed dozen, heading to Gillingham alongside talismanic striker Tom Nichols (undisclosed fee) in January, in a season that saw The Red Devils field no fewer than 38 different players in league action alone.

All 9 loan players have returned to their parent clubs, while a further 13 first team players have left the club permanently – 4 more by mutual consent.

While narrowly escaping relegation out of the English Football League might warrant a high turnover of players, the omens are not great for a side already barely keeping their heads above the waterline. Central midfielder Jack Powell has left for League Two rivals Crewe Alexandra on a free transfer, while striker Ashley Nadesan becomes the third Crawley Town player to join the expansive ranks of Gillingham for an undisclosed fee. James Tilley, likewise, joins AFC Wimbledon for an undisclosed amount of money, while experienced players like Aramide Oteh, Kwesi Appiah, Jake Hessenthaler, Jordon Mutch, Tony Craig and Anthony Grant have also all departed.

A rebuild, then, under ex-Swindon Town gaffer Scott Lindsey, who has overseen a tumultuous preseason campaign that saw everything from a 9-1 defeat to Portsmouth in a behind-closed-doors friendly to a 7-1 win over Heybridge Swifts. In came striker Danilo Orsi from Grimsby Town for an undisclosed fee, joined by attacking midfielder Ronan Darcy under similar terms from Swindon Town. Those two aside, every other permanent signing made by Crawley Town has come from non-league. Rochdale, St Albans, Bromley, Oxford City, Cray Valley Paper Mills and Brackley Town all found themselves raided for various players, while Fulham goalkeeper Luca Ashby-Hammond and West Ham United midfielder Kamarai Swyer both join on season-long loans.

Not the most convincing transfer window by any stretch of the imagination, with a massive amount of EFL experience making way for players with little or no experience at this level. Still, Crawley Town have thus far retained star striker Dom Telford, while Ben Gladwin (a January arrival from Swindon Town) should continue to dictate the play in central midfield. Defensively, Crawley look better-stocked, with Joel Lynch (19 appearances last season), Harry Ransom (20), Dion Conroy (25), Travis Johnson (25), Kellan Gordon (15) and Nick Tsaroulla (14) all staying put. Goalkeeper Corey Addai (30) also remains in place between the sticks.

All that said, the feeling that Crawley Town have rolled the dice on a large number of their first team squad is inescapable. While some of their non-league signings may spring a few surprises this season, the old adage 'buy non-league, become non-league' might apply here. Scott Lindsey will have his hands full getting this squad to gel, and getting his semi-pro arrivals up to speed in time for what will be an almighty test of character. Crawley almost went down last season; it's looking even more difficult to stay up now, at least on paper.

Off the field, Crawley Town have still not officially launched their 23/24 kits, and part of that will be because they have not found a shirt sponsor in time for their preseason outings. Blank red shirts with white trim were the order of the day in friendly outings, and time is running out to make a change ahead of their opening league fixture. We have yet to hear cries of 'don't panic' from the Crawley owners WAGMI United, though Scott Lindsey has already had to appeal for calm after some shocking preseason results and performances, most notably the 9-1 defeat against Portsmouth.

BRADFORD CITY

Mark Hughes remains in charge after last season's play off semi-final defeat consigned them to another season in League Two, but even with a prevalent assumption that the division will be more competitive this season, there's nothing to suggest The Bantams won't be up there once again. League Two's top scorer Andy Cook signed a new 3 year deal with the club, and has been in red hot form across the course of a very challenging preseason campaign largely contested against League One or Championship clubs. Cook will be either challenged by or perhaps play alongside ex-Hull City forward Tyler Smith. Matt Derbyshire remains a squad option, as does the currently injured Vadaine Oliver, while Hughes' attacking midfield options have been bolstered significantly.

Clarke Oduor joins from Barnsley and wants to pin down a more attacking berth, while Jamie Walker's attacking abilities will be bolstered by former Harrogate Town midfielder Alex Pattison – a creative, goal-scoring force that was lacking last season. Like Vadaine Oliver, Harry Chapman starts the season out of action, but with youngster Bobby Pointon have had an impressive preseason campaign, he might find himself competing with Emmanuel Osadebe for game time. New midfielder Kevin McDonald will provide ample experience when fully fit, and should slot in alongside Richie Smallwood – but in his absence, Ryan East and Alex Gilliead will eye starting spots.

Defensively, Brentford loanee Daniel Oyegoke could add real pace on the right as either full back of wing back depending on formations, while the centre back positions have been bolstered by the arrival of 6'4 Ash Taylor. Matty Platt, Sam Stubbs, and Ciaran Kelly all remain at Valley Parade, as does highly sought after goalkeeper Harry Lewis – who was the subject of interest from Barnsley in the previous months.

While the more pessimistic Bradford City might argue little has changed in a squad that failed to achieve promotion last season, there's no doubt about the logic of certain signings. Bradford City were vulnerable to set pieces last season, and the arrival of two experienced 6'4 players in McDonald and Taylor look like a clear effort to address that. The midfield, at times, was too defensive and static; Pattison and Oduor provide much-needed pace and creativity. An inability to field two contrasting forwards largely left Andy Cook with it all to do up front, as well – but Tyler Smith looks a much more suitable strike partner than the unreliable fitness of ageing veteran Derbyshire or the all-too-similar Vadaine Oliver.

Will it be enough for Bradford City to go above and beyond last year's finish of 6th place? Only time will tell.

Away from the field of play, Bradford City's reunion with landlord and former co-chairman Gordon Gibb is a feel good factor, as the commercial side of things continues to develop nicely – in stark contrast to Saturday's opposition.

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THE BREAKDOWN

Crawley Town: 5/2
Draw: 13/5
Bradford City: Evens

Heading into an away fixture as even money favourites tells it's own story. Little is expected from Crawley Town this season, and they will be lucky to put together a starting 11 with a credible amount of EFL experience. Striker Danilo Orsi has hardly blazed a trail since Harrogate Town poached him from Maidenhead, scoring just 5 times in 3 separate spells for the Sulphurites, Boreham Wood, and Grimsby Town. Dom Telford will be an active threat, but the Crawley Town midfield largely consists of non-league gambles and unproven commodities. That said, it might be harder to prepare than usual for a Bradford City midfield likely to be instructed to go out and dictate their own game. It's hard to worry too much about – or prepare properly for – anyone outside of Liam Kelly and Ben Gladwin.

Defensively, Crawley must keep tabs on Andy Cook, and possibly Tyler Smith, depending on which formation Mark Hughes chooses for the first game of the season. Whether City field wing backs remains a question, though the majority of the preseason campaign was spent with three centre backs as opposed to the two relied upon last season. That might mean a slower back line, but it should be a much more physical and aerially dominant defence.

An ability to switch formations has been something Hughes has been looking for this season, with his side being a little too predictable last term. That said, the current squad is hardly full of natural wing backs, with Clarke Oduor insistent that he wants to play a more attacking role, and only Daniel Oyegoke looking a natural fit. Alex Gilliead, then, might be a surprise selection at left wing back, particularly with Liam Ridehalgh a much better fit at full back.

We will certainly know a lot more about Bradford City and how they best line up at 5 PM on Saturday evening – but even now they look to have too much for a club in such disarray as Crawley Town.

While Crawley currently have a fantastic record against The Bantams – who failed to beat them on either occasion last season – and while Scott Lindsey is a promising coach, it's very difficult not to side with Bradford City on this occasion. Win the midfield battle, and the rest should see to itself. Look for Cook, Pattison and Walker to want to make an immediate impact, but with Telford up front, Crawley still pack a bit of punch themselves.

PREDICTION:

Crawley Town 1 – 3 Bradford City