The Voice - Match preview #44: Chesterfield vs Bradford City Monday 21st April 2025 3:00pm

very true, it’s seriously hurting my head. Look at our record without him. How does any player come in and start every game after being out the Squad and the team playing like that never mind Byrne? He must be like maldini in training to justify his selection. Surely GA & co are looking at them stats and thinking hang on a minute

 

Should have scored in the first minute but the pass from Kav was poor when both Pattison and Pointon were completely clear, Patto having to readjust to shoot. Pattern throughout the match, players in great positions but not taken advantage of, Alexander rightly alluded to it in his interview.

 

Spot on Biker. GA putting faith in these lads that showed themself to not be good enough early season is costing us lately. Defence has gone to pieces again.

 

Proves what Smallwood brings . It’s taken till this year with better players around him for me to appreciate him .
Glad he’s off deadballs though .
Yes Swindon there was no need ,
and it’s cost us big time , but different ref and it’s a yellow as todays Newport ref proved
( shocking by the way ) . Can’t believe we did another Swindon today and I’m absolutely gutted BUT we would have snapped anyone’s hands off to be 3rd with 2 games to go . Stick to the positives and pray our shortcomings don’t cost us . CTID

 

Without Smallwood we have a huge gap between defence and midfield. Look at the first goal today for chesterfield and Swindon's 3rd it's evident we don't have that type of player who can just do the dirty work Smallwood does by sitting in front of the defence.

 

If we don’t go up. GA needs to be gone, you cannot bottle and mess up on multiple occasions to this level

 

We have a huge gap on the field..


It's called the starting 11.

 

So am I the only one that doesn't think it's a total disaster?

It looks bad, but I just can't imagine Walsall getting enough points.

 

Exactly how I feel. Walsall will need 4 points. They won't get it. Surely, surely with our home form and the return of Smallwood, we'll get over the line.

 

Walsall will beat Accrington on Saturday, mind you I thought they’d beat Harrogate and Newport.

 

The thing is. If Walsall get a point, they go back above us. It's within the realm of possibility they'd be buoyed if they go into the last game in 3rd and getting a win, given how bad they've been.

 

The starting 11?
You should see our subs
Crichlow as a midfielder
Leigh as a striker

If City could keep their starting 11 on for 90 minutes they would have more of a chance of hanging on to a lead

 

I agree Jon, although you’d have to have the temperament of a psychopath to not be wound up by today and Swindon. Still one game further towards the end whilst still in the top 3 and Walsall continue to show that without Lowe they’re lower midtable at best.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0l5mnpt?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

Photo of Jamie but interview with Sam walker.

 

Ok, I’ve calmed down a bit. Let’s be honest and fair, at times we were very good. GA was right in his post match, we should have had at least 5.

Ref got the penalty right for me. Replay showed shirt grab and trip. Wish we saw other refs been brave enough to make those calls more often. On the whole, thought the ref was one of the better we’ve seen this season.

As for the subs, suppose we have to trust in GA’s explanation. But even then I think sacrificing one of the wide forwards and packing the CM would have been better than what he chose. Sadly for him a few big calls haven’t gone his way recently and today really hurt us.

I maintain we are better defensive unit without Byrne, though thought today was one of his better games. Pattison was much improved versus Thursday, we will need to see the same against Doncaster.

A point is better than zero, but my goodness are we making things hard for ourselves. Really hope we have a much fitter squad for Doncaster as we’ll need everything we’ve got.

 

I think to be fairly sure of promotion we need 4 points ourselves.

I think we'll only get 3, by beating Fleetwood.

I can see Walsall drawing at Accrington, but I wouldn't back them to beat anyone, and can't see them beating Crewe either.

Today was too close for comfort against Newport though.... when I heard they'd "scored" I was about ready to throw in the towel.

But they have become very reliably bad.

 

I can't see Walsall not winning.

Despite Walsalls horrific form, Accy and Crewe are about the only other two teams (perhaps MK though they won today) with form as bad as theirs. Pretty confident Walsall will manage at least one win.

That being said, Walsall lose and we win Saturday and it's game over. We're up. I thought promotion chases were meant to be fun, this has seemed to be more of a chore!

For the record I don't see us winning Saturday.

 

All frustration aside, the job is still just to better Walsall and I think we’ll do that

 

A point for Walsall only takes them above us if we lose at Donny, which I don't think will happen

 

A city supporting mate went for a meal this evening and bumped into Brandon Khela having a meal with his parents. Bit of a discussion about the game. Said he felt 'a bit unwell'.
Maybe an update later.