Blackpool THE MATCH

Once again our Captain/ leader was subbed to me that says it all, on the day we were second best in a game that we were very lucky to still be in it at half time, then we score twice againt the run of play.
And I them post "its Christmas" unfortunatly even 2-0 up we look unconfortable with the ball huffing it at ever possible chance hence it came back and the rest is history.

 

You're not the one on twitter banging on about the lead 'being deserved' are you? My apologies if it isn't you. If it is i'll back away now.

 

Scannell is out for while. So I'd look at it and think: Doyle, Ball and Payne actually have quality. I'd try and find a system that allows us to be as compact as we can be, and hope those 3 can score the goals to win is games.

I'd go with

OD
McGowan O'Connor NKP Wood
Colville Akpan O'Brien
Payne
Ball Doyle

I've no idea where Reeves is. Ideally we'd get him in there instead one of the young lads.
I may also go with the idea of Mellor at right back, McGowan in the centre and O'Connor in a holding midfielder role instead of Colville/O'Brien.

We're desperately short of quality.

In January, we're in dire need of more quality right through the spine of the side.

 

He had a hamstring injury-thats why he was subbed.

 

If Hopkin can't do it, nobody can. Edin has to count his losses if this fails.
The only man that can make this fail is Edin himself.
Hopkin is no idiot.
I know Edin wanted to make this work in his own way; and I respect him for that.
I have no animosity for someone having ambition and if he's appointed Hopkin then I think it's a step in the right direction.
The most respect is to admit you were wrong and try again; as Bradford fans we know this.

 

Not sure what you're on about mate.

 

Challenge is getting those 'quality' guys in whilst winning the midfield.

Hopkin suggested Akpan could be out for anything from 6-12 weeks.

We're buggered basically, aren't we?

 

One positive today - we didn't waste a substitute pointlessly changing the right back!!!

Never did understand that nonsense!

 

Bronco,
He came off injured, evidently played on and tried in vain to run it off. When he came off we were 2-0 up, as I said in an earlier post I didn’t go today, however both the pulse (Thornton rubbished as having no idea) and Radio L**ds lauded his performance. We always need a pantomime villian for some reason and despite logic, facts, statistics plus the thoughts of two independent radio pundits........he’s crap?? Honestly?? Just give the bloke a break, the negativity around Him is getting tedious

 

Sounds like you agree it was better today. There were a few positives today, as oppose to the last couple of games, and you’ve just outlined a couple above. That was my only point in my earlier post.

 

Great discussion tonight. It would be soooo easy to be horrible and scathing.
I don't think it's been too bad and the support was brilliant today.
I have a feeling Hopkin has a couple of cards up his sleeve.
I'm gonna play a couple of online games and chill out.
GN all

 

Proves you didn't go to the game today

 

My apologies, i thought you were someone else. If i was Hopkin i would have to play what i see as my best players and players that have shown some sort of form. The tricky bit is getting the best out of Payne. He has to play Doyle and Ball together, Miller has shown little to warrant a place. Payne needs to be central to get the best out of him. You may be right about O'Connor in midfield but i would look at any possible option before doing so, he looks way to slow and cumbersome for midfield. I would have Abbott looking to see if any central midfielders are available out of contract and bring one in as a matter of urgency. Apart from Akpan who i believe is injured my team would be the same as @Faithful Bantam's.

 

Judging the performance against the last couple should not be a measuring stick. Hopkin needs a fair amount of time to change this culture of failure that seems to be in the air at Valley Parade, we may even drop in the bottom three for a bit before it gets better. Once i see the team doing the basics right i will feel better about it, just at the moment i see a genuine relegation candidate and thats my honest assessment at this moment.

 

Me too. Look at today and wonder..........both clubs are under chaotic ownership, but our very good L1 side lost v Millwall at Wembley as Blackpool came up v Wembley in the same season. Look at out respective teams now, it's damning, they've gone forwards despite their ownership and we've gone backwards, way backwards. Rahic out.

 

I can't believe those responsible for bringing together a complete new 'team' are so wide of the mark. Multiple misjudgement of criteria in my view and although I personally have nothing against those individuals,I have lost faith and they should pay the ultimate price for their failures.

 

Hence my attempted 'Wakey wakey Hopkin' thread, earlier.

Like many, I was silently applauding our Summer recruits .............. But was left sat whistfully waiting for the glue, or cement to arrive, to bond all these components together. Yeah, those two or three signings never happened.

Of all our recruits - Mellor had me feeling somewhat .............. meh !
Is it me ? Or have I failed to see any talent in this lad ? I have yet to read a match report which offers him any kind of praise, and is certainly suspect as a so called defender. Just how many of our conceded goals are down to him ?

Although much of the dust has settled, from yesterday - My first thought this morning was akin to washing some jeans....You inspect the pockets, and find a winning lottery ticket - What do you do ? ......... Put the ticket back in the same pocket, and boil wash those jeans.
We may not have deserved to Win, but we certainly deserved to lose.

I had begun to make plans to be at VP for next Saturday, against Charlton. But honestly ?
For the first time, in quite a while, I'm thinking 'save yersen £100, Chris.'
That is pretty much an overall cost for me to spend a weekend in Shipley, when watching City play.

 

Or Both

 

I do sympathise with a lot you say but at the same time think you are being slightly naive or unrealistic

 

In the cold light of day a team should NEVER lose 3-2 from being 2-0 up with 10 mins to go
The players and those who bought them are totally to blame
Basic coaching in your teens tells you in that situation that you send an extra man forward and keep the ball in the opposition half any under 12 coaching manual screams that out
Tactically inept from a bunch of players not good enough to play L1 never mind wear the the (claret and amber shirts) are to blame Plenty on here are hailing Hopkin as the new Messiah but think of what he has to work with (at least until January we are playing half a season AGAIN) and the constraints he will be working under
Even the best would struggle
Only a complete rethink from top to bottom can save our season anywhere above the bottom four should be considered success
That's how far our club has fallen