Match Thread Bradford City V Wycombe Wanderers Saturday 2nd August 2024 3.00pm (Now with The Voice review)

the playing through lines were an issue caused by midfield and the striker la not pressing - GA tweaked this to stem the flow- the cbs were excellent that’s why we won

 

My theory is we have done it to be 'inclusive' and also so fans pay that little bit extra to fill the space with a number to make it look better - which I saw more than ever yesterday. Pretty much 75% of shirts.

A marketing ploy and no other reasonable explanation.

 

Its a brand new back line and Wycombe will be a top 8 team in the division.

Not something that worries me after 1 game. I may feel different in 4 weeks!

 

Yes like just about everybody who commented on it including Humphrey his self his best position is midfield. However in this game playing centre forward he was outstanding. As for Bobby he scored a great goal yesterday but I don’t think he played that great. I still think he is better coming on later

 

Tilt has been around the block and knows the limits, Kelly doesn’t and wouldn’t get away with the dark arts like Tilt. It’s not even a competition tbh.

 

Tilt obviously has his limitations but a bit of physicality from him on some of these flair players and they don’t want to know anymore

 

I think Wycombe will have to part ways with the manager pretty soon to end up top 8.

That isn't the guy that had them flying last season, that was Matt Bloomfield who left for pastures new.

They're also going to have to get the Kone deal done quickly so they can invest that money in some higher quality players, because while they looked a solid League One side, they didn't look amazing on Saturday.

I think top 8 will require work, I'd have them sat in 12th or possibly slightly lower - a lot lower if they stick with the current gaffer and the atmosphere turns sour.



By my calculations they'd have finished 13th last season with a 60 point tally if we extrapolate Dodds' current data, which really isn't going to be good enough to meet expectations over there.

(Not saying they won't make top 8, just saying there's gonna need to be changes)

 

Indeed. We’re making up rules that don’t exist.

 

I go by what i see with my own eyes rather than xG. Our first goal was a keeper error as was theres, both keepers know they should do better. Pointons was a great strike. We created 2 other decent chances which fell to Humphrys. Wycombe for all their possesion didn't create much in terms of chances but did control the ball better than we did second half. Should have scored from the pull back to hooked it over and should have had a penalty but not sure how they affect the stats if at all.

 

Apart from the manager, Humphrys himself and an entire pre season....the clues where there but you wouldnt have it! And Humphrys has never been a midfielder - a wide forward, winger at best.

Now when Cook returns you could be right...

 

Exactly what i saw. Very disjointed second but to be expected in some ways for a brand new back five. Quite a bit of hoofing the ball anywhere, i thought Humphrys was excellent at chasing and holding up quite a few lost causes from this. Thought we pressed well but gonna have to respect possession better when we have the ball.

 

Good athlete, that Humphrys.

Like the look of him wherever he ends up slotting in.

 

RE xG and how its calculated, its a percentage of players that score in that position, based on data from players in that position in thousands of past matches.

so if a chance gets given 0.14 xG it means 14 times in 100, players getting in that particular position would be expected score.

i think an awarded penalty equates to around 0.7, i.e 7/10 pens are usually scored and 3 missed.

bobby’s was a low % as he was outside the box.

i don’t know if they adjust the data based on how much pressure is on the attacker/weaker or stronger foot, angle ball received from etc…. Given the data analytical depts have taken off in the game you’d think the models are well refined and more accurate than ever now, though.

 

In the past when teams parked the bus we sometimes struggled to break them down but it seems like these new lads are willing to shoot from outside the box - and that could be key to breaking the deadlock at times.

neufville looks like a player who can create chances out of nothing too.

 

His back heel cross for the first was superb.

Really high level stuff, that.

If that's on MOTD they're raving about it.

 

Just like our manager then

 

Show me an anyone in the ground, inc players who expected him to do that and I’ll buy em a beer…. You are right if it were a Prem player doing it. ………

 

I said moments before the backheel, 'he's gonna bloody back heel it here, just watch'

See you at the Midland Road kiosk against Luton. (12.30 to reach the front of queue before kick off)

 

You cheeky bugger , I’d get you one if truth be known . I’m trying to persuade the lad to drive us across to Peterborough . Depends if he’s on call?

 

It's a good save, but should Humphrys be doing better with this one? Would a natural striker would have done better?

Feels like he stuck a leg out and hoped for the best, not only that but its a high cross from the right. Surely sticking out his left and keeping eyes on the ball and being more front on for the finish, rather than sicking out his right and almost being side on to the cross on impact is not the way anyone would be taught how to finish that ball in? It's some great reactions from the keeper, but its also always going to be straight at him from the angle of the finish.