The Voice - Match preview Bradford City v Hartlepool United Sat 18 March 2023 1pm

Yes, I got this impression too

 

Need changes tomorrow. Not just to freshen things up but tactically we need a better approach at home and in particular against sides who sit deep.

There's no need for three safety first midfielders against a side like Hartlepool at home tomorrow, especially when the attack is already carrying Costelloe and only one of our fullbacks is contributing going forwards.

Absolutely need players on the pitch who are going to put them on the back foot and make them defend 1v1. Banks and Chapman please.

 

Whilst we regularly underachieved though. The stats don't lie, he doesn't offer anywhere near enough goal threat but because we've had Smallwood and now Clayton he's the only midfielder that can cover the ground so unless we can replace him with similar he'll probably continue to be picked.

 

Agreed. A front 3 of Banks, Cook and Chapman with Walker just behind would give us enough going forward to really trouble the Hartlepool defence.

 

Least we could ask for at home ...

 

We were talking about 4th division City teams Andy and even though they had less ability,even some of our mediocre teams in the 70s used to entertain especially at Valley parade.

 

Hartlepool fan here, nickname Monkey Hangers is all fair game, not taken as an insult, our Mascot is Hangus (Hang-us).

We deserve to be 3rd bottom and have been a poor side almost all season, signed around 12 players in January and have shown signs of improvement under Askey. Past two games we drew with Tranmere away and Northampton at home and each was an even game that could have went either way.

We press high from the start which leads to an open game, our defence isn't great, even with the new signings - so although both of those draws ended 1-1 they could have been 3-3.

We do have a handful of quality players and all should be fit for tomorrow which is a first since we signed some of them in January.

If you guys attack with the likes of Chapman & Banks they'll have our defence for breakfast but it seems like Hughes likes to play it safe, which may suit us.

If Hughes gets it right I am sure you will win, I'll be making the trip down in the slim hope we fight for our lives and pull of a shock result of some sort.

Either way, best of luck for the rest of the season.

 

In his latest interview Hughes was praising Costelloe so I believe once again Dara will be a starter along side Cook.

 

Hardly an inspirational pre match interview but there again I'm getting used to them it just his way.
Tomorrow is another banana skin waiting to happen.
Have we learnt lesson's from last week?
One goal isn't enough but unless others start to chip in it's down to non other than Andy Cook and believe it or not he's starting to tire again, can't do it all by himself.
The match day squads crying out for a freshen up.
Will Hughes change it?

 

Will Hughes? Can't see it bud, he's a Premier League player.

I'll get my coat.

 

Hughes did mention others chipping in during the interview and believes both Dara and Jamie will start hitting the target soon, lets hope they both score, preferably in the first half .

 

Here, I got it for you

 

Presumably sees no other option with injuries and trying to bolster his confidence. Only explanation given last couple of performances.

 

I’d have him on a contract in a heartbeat. He will come good . Just needs a bit of luck?

 

Well said Monkey Man.

This quartet, firing on all cylinders together, should put the fear of God into any team in this 5hithole league . This game should effectively be over by HT.

 

Match day! Ok no apprehension or anxiety today, the lads have got this, and are going to show us how it is done.

 

So do I. Not for one minute do I think he'll change, I just wish he would.

Away from home we look compact and solid but at home we lack tempo and intent which will need to change at some point or that's the area that will let us down.

 

He's got ability, you can see it when he goes past people but end product or even getting a decent shot off has been sadly lacking so far.

Hopefully today is the day and he can make a decent impact during the run in as Cook desperately needs someone to take at least a bit of the strain.

 

Didn't Hughes once say we'd give someone a good hiding? It'll never happen the way he sets us up. Too conservative, too defensive and too predictable.

 

Yes agree David. A bit of luck and a couple of goals is what he needs. I get the feeling he’s trying too hard. He’s a good foil for Cookie away from home but against deep sitting , put up shop defence, not so sure and not so effective.