Match Thread Bradford City v Grimsby Town EFL (Vertu) Trophy Tue 2 Sep 2025 7.30pm

The thing is Humphrys doesn't have a god given right to be playing. Its on him to start delivering on the promise.

The noise on twitter reminds me of the constant calls for Oliver to be picked over Cook. Right now Swan has earnt that spot up top, at least until Cook can play 90. Humphrys needs to start taking chances because once people start saying there's more to a strikers role than goals, you know you are in trouble.

 

Humphrey general play is very good he creates most of his chances himself. He needs to keep his head up and his luck will turn. The skill to get his shot away in the second of the keeper saves was top notch he was crowded out but made his own space skill fully. I like watching him

 

What if we are still winning games at home and drawing away? I'm just asking the question.

Hypothetically if we get another 14 points from the next 6 games with the current side, do we drop him if he's not scoring goals because that's where we are at present. We're not exactly in trouble tbf

 

Comes across as a bit shy does Cooky but very modest in the way he speaks. That smile says it all. Chuffed to bits for him.

 

Like yourself I think Humphrys is exciting to watch but he needs to start delivering more goals. That effort last night after Pointon put him through was pretty poor. Sometimes you only get one chance like that in a match and have to do better. I'm sure he'll come good, just hope it's sooner rather than later.

 

Who knows. We've seen other people drop in and out to keep them fresh and if Swan keeps scoring it's a brave manager to keep him sidelined for a striker who's currently struggling for goals.

 

I love that he demands ambition even if mistakes are made. A lot more tolerant of errors than many fans.

It's impossible to be perfect all the time*.

*Except for his my wife.

 

I think he continues to play a part in a so-far successful squad. He offers a lot to the front line but GA and Humps himself will want more from him. He certainly looks as if he can develop his game and there's a long way to go yet. It's a great 'problem' to have, isn't it?

 

I appear to have something in my eye...

 

my god get your laptop on charge!

 

Being proud of course, but at no stage , non were we second best in my opinion. We had to resort to shooting from distance , because until cookie came on we didn’t get round the bus.

 

It’s is possible to appreciate good defending as well as good attacking. And Grimsby in adversity deserve credit.

 

Agreed their game plan had to change after such an early sending off and they did admirably well especially as they were second string as well with some inexperienced players.

Can't say we didn't deserve the win after the relentless second half pressure though.

 

Fair enough. I didn’t suggest anywhere they didn’t deserve any credit . Put it this way who and how many appreciated teams last season coming to VP just to park the bus ? Nobody, and that’s one reason I’m so glad we got out of that division. If you want to give credit for the tactic fine , I can’t , no matter who it is because it’s not technically difficult to do.

Wonder why so many u21’s got mullered last night , they probably came to play football rather than putting the whole side in the defensive quarter just to save face . I bet they learned far more lessons than Grimsby last night on that basis? Opinions eh?

 

Made a massive difference when he came on.

 

He crossed for one of Cookies .

 

He was probably alluding to their resolute defending. Despite all our possession I thought they defended very well indeed. Apparently they had a young team out and I don’t think any of their players did themselves any harm.

 

So did the rest of the U21’s sides playing . That’s my point , it’s not difficult to park the bus but yes of course one has to be resolute 100% .