The Voice - Match preview #43: Bradford City vs Notts County Thursday 17th April 8:00pm

If, and it's a big if I suspect, Sarcevic is fit enough for 60 minutes then I would play him alongside Khela. I think his experience will help Khela. Khela has been impressive but he is still learning, Sarcevic can talk him through the game and also takes a bit of pressure off Khela as Sarcevic is pretty decent in the tackle. Plus both have the ability to burst forwards with or without the ball which makes it less predictable for Notts County. I have a concern that Pattison is less careful with the ball to play that deeper Smallwood role.

I would also prefer Crichlow to Kelly as I think this frees up Tayo to be more attacking, which we need at home. That said, if we are going for the long diagonals to Halliday then Kelly is likely to be the starter.

 

I wondered about Sarcevic in that role. He has an excellent range of passing and he can mix it. I'd be worried about his mobility though which is crucial in that role. I fancy Khela being more progressive but that potentially leaves Sarcevic with a 2 on one in the middle which would be a disaster. It's a really tricky conundrum. We might have to sacrifice an attacking three and bring someone (in a bit deeper into a midfield three. Problem then is we lose some impetus up front. Such a difficult balance in a game we need to win truth be told.

 

I honestly expect Sarcevic to start right of the front three thus protecting Khela behind him ?

 

The challenge we have here is that we are really venturing into the unknown. Even in the trophy games when there was lots of rotation, Smallwood was always the permanent fixture. As we have no direct replacement, there has to be a change in set up. A massive decision to be made in such an important game.

 

I thought he was trying to get his trousers down to flash the crowd
He has form LOL

 

I think Sarcevic will definitely start tonight

 

That's the drawback of establishing a winning formula. Over the last few months at home we've known exactly what to expect but now the uncertainty is worrying. Khela could be a revelation, Baldwin might end up playing like Makelele or we could be ripped to shreds. Just no idea tbh.

 

I think Crichlow has been a bit hit and miss since returning and would probably go with Huntington in the middle and Shepherd on the left. We need an experienced head at the back, who can guide whoever ends up the DM role.

 

Yep exactly my thoughts. Prior to Saturday, our defensive record has been excellent but I feel that was as much to do with the role of Smallwood in protecting the back line as opposed to the quality of our defenders.

 

Anyway, here's that rousing pre game piece to get us all in the mood. Absolutely love this. Sorry to bore those that saw me banging on about this on another thread but it's on repeat for me today and it's getting me completely fired up for this evening. Today will drag...

 

We're replacing Smallwood BT so for me mobility is the least of the issues. It'll be definitely be Pattison as one of the two so I suppose Sarcevic or Khela are the most obvious options.

He's thrown Baldwin in there a couple of times this year though and I believe Johnson has experience there so GA could potentially throw a curveball with the line up.

 

Baldwin is also a good passer of the ball, so does not look out of place in that position
I prefer him in that central defence role though and think he has been very solid all season
Who would have thought it, as apparently he is not good enough to lace matty Platts boots
It just goes to show, we need to actually see a player and maybe afford a little bit of time for them to settle into their new surroundings

 

The team selection will be “ different “ for sure . One that will surprise us just as much as County Dave?

 

I'd give Johnson very serious consideration as Smallwood's replacement. He can play a bit, and it wouldn't disrupt the defence either.

 

couple of fears tonight...

Mcgoldrick finding that space in between our defence and midfield. Are pattison/khela savvy enough to keep an eye behind them or will one of the back three keeping bombing out to him and leaving gaps along the edge of the penalty area.

Tsaroulla has had the run on halliday and given him a torrid time the last couple of times he has come up against him, will we be strong enough down the right to sort him out

 

Let’s hope the players know what they are doing
We were all at sea defensively last Saturday
Not like us at all
We owe these buggers one anyhow

 

The less we change the team about the better

 

Yes , I was thinking along those lines
He looks a good enough footballer from the bits we have seen

 

Spot on with McGoldrick. He's a wily old customer. Knows how to play in no man's land in between the half way line and the 'd'. Horrible to pick up.

 

Rumour that McGoldrick might not start on their end. He's started 6 in a row and played 90 in 4 of them and the only ever time he's played that much in a short window, he picked up an injury. He started 5 in a row toward the start of the season and then picked up a little issue too. Fantastic player, but being 37 does catch up.

I reckon it's all just buzz and he will start, but as soon as Notts know for sure autos are done (if they lose tonight most likely), then he will be wrapped up in cotton wool on the bench until the play offs.

He's a nightmare and whoever the DM is should be so tight to him. Jatta is another worry, he seems to turn into prime Ronaldo when he faces City. Not sure who i'd have on him as he's kinda a lone striker in their front 3 with McGoldrick and another sat behind. Earlier this season we started Huntington to man mark Jatta and he ended up with 2 goals and an assist. Last season at our place it was Kelly and he made him look useless, but from memory they all looked awful that day.