The Voice - Match preview Bradford City vs Colchester United Saturday 12th August 2023 @ 3:00pm

Well I know we have played two games already with mixed fortunes. But tomorrow is the first home game of the season a real red letter day every year. I for one am looking forward to it If you can’t muster a bit of optimism and enthusiasm for this match however misplaced I think people should find something else to do. Bring it on.

 

I'm looking forward to it, Park, the fact it actually looks like a tough game (when we could do with an easy one lol) just gets me more into it.

I think 95 % of games this season will be tough old scraps, let's show how much fight we've got, back the lads, get the 3 points. We all want a 4-0 win, but I really don't care about pie in the sky stuff, a win will do.

 

In what way is it a 'tough game'? A team the bookies place 15th at home? Nobody is asking for a 4-0 win. I don't even mind if we don't. As long as we get a performance indicative of a team that might go up this year.

 

Well if I read right, they got a new manager and started drawing every game.

Didn't do bad on Wednesday night in Cardiff either.

Also, this is the game we won last season but scored 2 in deep injury time, right?

Wasn't easy then, either!

You don't think it's going to be tough to win?

 

I'm no expert in terms of other league two teams. The bookies have Colchester well into the bottom half. We are at home. It's their first league game of the season. They finished near the bottom of the league last season. They've had a long journey to South Wales and now they are schlepping up to Yorkshire having had a tie that went to penalties. I think if you're classing this as a tough game then you may as well say every game is tough. Comparatively no, this is not a tough game.

 

I do say most games are tough, though. But it seems like every time we face a team at the bottom (last season I mean), they've recently turned a corner and become much tougher to beat.

We just saw it with Crawley, who ended last season pretty well, and Colchester have done the same.

I hope it's not tough - but I think it will be extremely competitive. Hope I'm wrong and we blast a few past them, though.

 

Every game will be tough this season for many different reasons, 3 points and a professional performance will do me. If we take that approach to each game then we won’t go far wrong.
After last season Hughes should now know what it takes to get out of this league.

 

Realistically things will get pretty toxic by 3.15pm today if we're not already winning, particularly if a defender misplaces a pass

 

Give or take 2 or 3 games, every game last season was tough, purely and simply because we made it so. I'm not convinced yet that it will be any different this season, but I live in hope.

 

Every game in this league is a tough one. There are no walk in the parks. You have to fight and scrap every single game. You have to be tough to get out of this league, and we are competing with several teams who realistically can get out of this league, so best foot forward lads 3 points will do it.

Unfortunately I can’t be there today Sciatica Pain.

 

Whilst I can't see it for one moment, my dream team for the day would look something like this:

-------------------Cook----- Smith------------------
-----------Odour-------------------Walker---------
------------------------Pattison----------------------
----------------------Smallwood--------------------
Ridehalgh----Stubbs----Platt----Oyegoke
--------------------------Lewis-------------------------

Basically a 442 with Walker and Odour given license to come in field.

 

Sadly I have found something else to do. Hughes' idea of football is too restrictive for me so have not renewed my season ticket.

 

The first home game is important as it sets the mood amongst fans. It’s up to the players and management to do everything they can to excite fans to give them optimism for the season ahead.
A slow lethargic display ending in a draw will just dampen the current mood even further.
When Hughes first arrived it was a breath of fresh air. He managed to inject life into players that Adams had deflated but sadly unless the style changes, I feel we are now not really any better off.

 

I agree.
Going on holiday tomorrow so my last game for a while.
First home game is so important to set some sort of tone.
I know there are no “easy” games but is a decent cohesive performance,too much to ask?

That said,a last minute winner off somebody’s arse will do as well.

 

I'm looking forward to today's match now it's here. Time to finally throw away the playoff disappointment hangover. Won't be making any knee-jerk reactions to this 1 game but will be hoping to see a slicker, faster more pressing style with better choices when in possession of the ball. Got to go with 2 up top at home also.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Kev Mcdonald at some stage today, who for me will be the key to whether we have a good season or not, just hope he can stay fit.
I'll be basing my post match views on what I observe today not just result alone!

 

The first game at home with probably a low season expectancy from more than the usual percentage of supporters doesn't surprise me.
I'm still trying to get over the performance at Carlisle and pre season games have been all about three at the back system which we've not mastered yet in my opinion
It would be true to say my usual optermistic attitude as taken a bashing over summer but I'll be back come rain or shine whilst taking the rough with the smooth each week.
Good Luck Bantams.

 

Like it. The challenge is RB where we have one of our most reliable players vs an exciting, attack-minded young loan prospect. Good problem to have but cannot see Hughes dropping Halliday.

 

Hope it's a good game for all those attending today.

Early goal (for us) would bring a bit of energy and enthusiasm.

I'm hoping to see a bit more attacking effort in the home games this season. Fingers crossed.

 

Very much agree with this for today. Something to give fans optimism we are moving in the right direction.

However promotion simply has to be THE goal and if that means mediocre but disciplined performances to achieve that, I’ll take that everyday for the season.

 

Hope your sciatica improves soon.