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The Voice - Match preview #14: Bradford City vs Doncaster Rovers Saturday 26th October 3:00pm

Discussion in 'City Talk' started by The Voice, Oct 25, 2024.

  1. The Voice

    The Voice The voice of reason
    Staff Member The Voice

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    CityDoncasterHome.jpg

    EFL League Two Fixture #14
    Saturday 26th October 2024 15:00
    Bradford City vs Doncaster Rovers
    University of Bradford Stadium (AKA Valley Parade)

    Record:
    Games Won: 36
    Games Drawn: 26
    Games Lost: 28

    Last 5:
    30 Jul 2022: Bradford City 0 – 0 Doncaster Rovers
    25 Feb 2023: Doncaster Rovers 0 – 1 Bradford City
    22 Dec 2023: Doncaster Rovers 1 – 3 Bradford City
    30 Jan 2024: Bradford City 1 – 0 Doncaster Rovers [EFL Trophy]
    05 Mar 2024: Bradford City 1 – 1 Doncaster Rovers

    Doncaster Rovers:
    Doncaster Rovers stood by Grant McCann despite a dismal start last season, where the new incumbent head coach followed up a disappointing 18th place finish in League Two by picking up just 2 points from the opening 7 league games. McCann’s men would find some improved form through September and October, but the wheels would come off again in November 2023 and a dismal run of form would last right through to February. During this second poor stint, Doncaster Rovers managed just 2 wins in 12 games, and at that point the clamour for change at Valley Parade would have reached fever pitch had the same been endured here.

    Doncaster Rovers chairman Terry Bramall, however, stuck with Grant McCann and his reward would be a remarkable run of form that would see Rovers win 10 consecutive league games. That phenomenal hot streak earned Rovers a play off spot at the expense, where by contrast Saturday afternoon’s opponents Bradford City’s own impressive finish came a little too late. Full credit, then, to Bramall, Doncaster Rovers, and Grant McCann for sticking to their guns through thick and thin, even if the playoffs proved a step too far: Crewe Alexandra would draw 2-2 with Donny on aggregate, before dumping them out of the mini-tournament on penalties.

    Currently sat 4th, one place ahead of Bradford City, Doncaster Rovers are coming off only their fourth league defeat of the season this past Tuesday night, when Bromley conducted a successful of the Eco-Power Stadium, running away 1-0 winners. That defeat ended a run of 4 games without defeat, during which time Grant McCann’s troops picked up 10 points from a possible 12.

    Away from home, Doncaster Rovers have made for the 7th best travellers in League Two, and that’s what we will be focusing on ahead of this Saturday’s clash. With 3 wins, 1 draw, and 2 defeats away from the Eco-Power Stadium, Doncaster Rovers have treated their fans to no fewer than 19 goals (both for and against) in just 6 outings, averaging slightly over 3 goals per away game. Doncaster’s last two away outings have both been wins, with McCann’s men overcoming Grimsby Town 3-0 and Swindon Town 2-1. Prior to that, a 1-1 draw at MK Dons was preceded by a disappointing 2-0 defeat at Harrogate Town – a couple of weeks before Bradford City would head over to the Exercise Stadium and also lose…

    Among Doncaster Rovers’ number are veteran striker Billy Sharp, who started the season in red hot form, but the 38 year old has now gone 8 league games without a goal – and also failed to score in a 3-3 draw against Manchester United U21’s in the EFL Trophy in that same period. When Sharp has scored, however, Doncaster Rovers have won. 3 league goals and one in the EFL Cup saw Doncaster Rovers win all 4 games, making his name on the scoresheet a very ominous sign for the opposition. As might be expected from a veteran of Sharp’s advanced years, he has been used more sparingly, and did not start in the 1-0 home defeat against Bromley – that could mean a start at Valley Parade, and City fans would probably not be delighted to see his name in the starting lineup given Sharp’s history against Bradford City. Sharp has scored a remarkable 7 goals in 8 league appearances against The Bantams, and City have only beaten a Billy Sharp side once.

    Ex-City winger Jordan Gibson also plays for Doncaster Rovers and is a regular with 12 starts and 3 goals to his name. Powerhouse striker Joe Ironside, once lauded as a cracking signing for a League Two side, has only netted once so far this season, as Luke Molyneux has proven the surprise package in this Rovers side 5 league goals and 1 cup goal to his tally already. The ex-Hartlepool United man has proven a real handful so far this season, though he hasn’t scored in Doncaster’s last 3 games.

    Doncaster Rovers 0 – 1 Bromley


    Swindon Town 1 – 2 Doncaster Rovers


    Bradford City:
    It was hard not to feel slightly deflated after Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw at Cheltenham Town. Not that any games are easy this season, but it looked set up nicely for the Bantams on paper to grab a fourth straight league win. Games are not played out on paper, though, so it’s even more disappointing that City had copious chances to kill Cheltenham Town off, but a combination of bad luck (a penalty appeal turned down and Pointon hitting the bar) and dreadful finishing (Calum Kavanagh in particular had a ‘mare) prevented City getting the full complement of 3 points.

    Neill Byrne will get plaudits for a powerful header that gave City the lead after just 8 minutes, but Sam Walker will have some soul-searching to do after a long drive from Luke Young beat him despite the City keeper being well-positioned. Perhaps surprisingly, Graham Alexander made only one change in the game, bringing Tyler Smith on for the badly out-of-form Kavanagh, but predictably the Cook-Smith strike partnership didn’t work – much like the Cook-Oliver partnership.

    The logic might be there, two experienced forwards, one large, one small looking to combine to beat Cheltenham’s leaky defence, but it just doesn’t seem like a good partnership. Ollie Sanderson, arguably the second best striker City have fielded this season, seems to be out of favour with Graham Alexander for whatever reason, despite the fact none of the other strikers are actually scoring.

    Let’s hope Graham Alexander works something out, quickly. Cook is a tremendous talent, but there simply has to be more to a Bradford City team, particularly in terms of attackers. Jamie Walker and Bobby Pointon both look far more likely to chip in goals from midfield than any combination of Smith/Kavanagh/Oliver, all of which Graham Alexander seems slightly overly keen on utilizing.

    Not that this particular criticism has held the Bantams back much lately. 10 points from the last 12 is an impressive haul, even though City are sat just 9th in the xG table. Now City face the second highest placed side they’ve met this season, a team doing slightly better than Gillingham were when City beat them. After losing 2-1 at Walsall back in September, this is a chance for City to put the record straight, this time on home soil, against another top team. Are City real contenders for the automatic promotion spots, or are they, as the stats perhaps suggest, more likely to look to cling on to a playoff place?

    Bradford City are above average in League Two this season, but so far something hasn’t quite clicked in order to allow the Bantams to go even further and dominate the campaign.

    Cheltenham Town 1 – 1 Bradford City


    Bradford City 2 – 1 Gillingham


    Prediction:

    How Doncaster Rovers did not score against Bromley on Tuesday night is a matter that has led to an inquest for Grant McCann and his team. Not happy with his side merely creating chances, McCann said “I’d rather be more clinical than creating loads and not doing anything. I’d rather use have two chances and score from them,” before threatening his current players with changes in the January transfer window: “January comes around quick. I’ve said that to the players, because if they’re not going to do it then I haven’t got time to wait this season.”

    Graham Alexander, for his part, also cut a frustrated figure on Tuesday night after a 1-1 draw at Cheltenham Town, a side they had been expected to beat. Alexander said his side were “second best” and didn’t do many of the basics well. He was more impressed with City’s second half performance, when City hit the bar through Bobby Pointon, but ultimately City had to share the spoils. Graham’s response was much more measured and calm, for better or worse.

    We will see the outcome of both manager’s endeavours to raise performance this Saturday in a crunch tie. Doncaster Rovers sit in 4th, one point ahead of Bradford City in 5th, and that should prove plenty for those looking for a bit of interest here. An early season six-pointer, City could find themselves falling behind the automatic places with a defeat on home soil to a good Doncaster Rovers side.

    On the other hand, McCann knows he cannot afford to suffer a second straight defeat, and while his players continue to look dangerous, players like Joe Ironside and Billy Sharp are not pulling up trees in the same manner as opposite number Andy Cook. That said, City’s goals recently have come from central defenders, with Neill Byrne having scored 2-in-2, and Jack Shepherd having scored a brilliant equaliser at home to Gillingham, showing there are goals in other areas of the pitch.

    Like this City team, Grant McCann’s Doncaster are a good side on decent form, and perhaps the second best side City have faced this season. After a tough 2-1 defeat against high-flying Walsall, this game seems like more of the same. With pessimism sneaking in, the pick will be for Doncaster Rovers to bounce back from a 1-0 defeat at home to Bromley, continue their good away form, and catch City slightly unawares. If Graham Alexander can prevent that, though, things will look very promising indeed!

    Final Score:
    Bradford City 1 – 2 Doncaster Rovers
     
  2. bantam65

    P.L. 23/24 Top 10 P.L.24/25 Entrant Supporter

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    Doncaster.
    £1 on 1-2 @ 9/1 @The Voice@The Voice prediction.
    £1 on 3-1 @ 18/1 my prediction.
     
    Stoneski likes this.
  3. Inspector

    Supporter

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    According to my Donny supporting mates they create a lot of chances playing champagne football with the real threat being Luke Molyneux. We need to get about them but don't go gung ho. They have pace to hit on the counter and with Sharp, a striker who will love the big occasion. I'm hoping for a narrow victory but a draw seems likely to me.
     
  4. Gardscoigne

    Gardscoigne Squad Player

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    The chairman is back for this one, hopefully it’s not a repeat of Mansfield last season!
     
    Botswana Bantam likes this.
  5. Foghornleghorn

    Euro24 PL Entrant P.L.24/25 Entrant P.L. 20/21 Top 10 Euro 2020

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    Ruebyn Ricardo has been appointed referee for tomorrow's game.
    The Leicestershire official has taken charge of ten EFL matches this term, split across Sky Bet League One and Two and the Bristol Street Motors Trophy. He has issued 44 yellow cards and two reds across those games.
    Feisty Yorkshire Derby think it's a knocking bet he will add to his card tally tomorrow.
     
    Stoneski and Bronco like this.
  6. Bronco

    P.L. 23/24 Top 20 Euro24 PL Entrant P.L.24/25 Entrant P.L. 20/21 Top 30 Supporter Euro 2020

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    Radio Leeds saying Alexander awaiting a couple of players with regards their fitness one being Wright surely Richards has shown enough the last two gamed to be a starter and if Wright is fit great player to bring on late in the game, but not at wing back IMO.
     
  7. Bronco

    P.L. 23/24 Top 20 Euro24 PL Entrant P.L.24/25 Entrant P.L. 20/21 Top 30 Supporter Euro 2020

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    I'm hoping for a 3 - 0 Doncaster drubbing ;).
     
  8. Sergio Pinto III

    P.L.24/25 Entrant

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    Over 18,000 tickets sold in home end. You would think they pretty much sell out (is it 2.8k?).....could be looking at a good 21,000.
     
    vladimir likes this.
  9. ahar964

    P.L.24/25 Entrant Supporter

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    I know one swallow doesn't make a summer and all that. Is it just me or is everyone else starting to get a teeny bit more excited when we've got a game coming up.............or at least less apathetic :grinning:
     
    Stoneski and FrenchBantam like this.
  10. Birky Bantam

    Birky Bantam Impact Sub

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    Looks like they've only sold around 1,500. Sold out the 1,136 allocation in Midland Road, sold out UG in the TL Dallas and have 100 left in UH.
    upload_2024-10-25_12-42-15.png
     
  11. bantam65

    P.L. 23/24 Top 10 P.L.24/25 Entrant Supporter

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    If that's the case, it's quite disappointing from Donny tbh. Time yet though I suppose.
     
    vladimir likes this.
  12. Gardscoigne

    Gardscoigne Squad Player

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    Can I balance that with some true Bradfordian negativity? I’m fully expecting us to get walloped - we just don’t seem to win the big games in the league at home!
     
    Dratsab taf and Stoneski like this.
  13. bantam65

    P.L. 23/24 Top 10 P.L.24/25 Entrant Supporter

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    No you can't!...:)
     
    Stoneski, Inspector and Gardscoigne like this.
  14. SteveC

    P.L. 23/24 Top 20 Euro24 PL Entrant P.L.24/25 Entrant Qatar 2022 Entrant

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    Don’t we? We’ve taken 7 points from the Carlisle, Gillingham and Wimbledon home games, all 3 of which could be classed as a big test at the time of playing them. Also we haven’t lost a home game since March
     
    FrenchBantam, Bronco and ahar964 like this.
  15. Gardscoigne

    Gardscoigne Squad Player

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    Stop trying to be rational, you won’t stop me being miserable!
     
    SteveC, Stoneski and ahar964 like this.
  16. Kevin1954

    P.L. 23/24 Top 20 Euro24 PL Entrant P.L.24/25 Entrant Supporter

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    That’s crap !
     
  17. Kevin1954

    P.L. 23/24 Top 20 Euro24 PL Entrant P.L.24/25 Entrant Supporter

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    Reverse psychology !
     
  18. Birky Bantam

    Birky Bantam Impact Sub

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    It's probably on par for them. Their attendances have never been great, even when they were in the Championship they regually got attendances less than 11,000 and that will have been often with 3,000 away away fans. They played Barrow at home on a Tuesday night a couple of weeks ago and only got just over 5,500.
    I can't remember exactly how many they brought on the opening day of the 22/23 season but I'm sure it was less than 2,000, last season they only brought about 750.
     
    WilsdenBantam likes this.
  19. Kevin1954

    P.L. 23/24 Top 20 Euro24 PL Entrant P.L.24/25 Entrant Supporter

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    That’s really poor BB !
     
  20. Gardscoigne

    Gardscoigne Squad Player

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    I reckon they had about 2,000 in the ground when we beat them 3-1 last season at their place.
    But they are generally well supported away from home - should be a good atmosphere tomorrow. Hopefully my hunch is wrong
     

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