The Voice - Match preview Bradford City vs Carlisle United Tuesday 21st March @ 7:45pm

I

disagree over Crichlow I thought he was great when he came on

 

So I'll ask the questions again why does it take Mark until half-time to change things not for the first time thats not a pop at yourself, very frustrating.

 

My take on last night, two teams going for it. Difference between the two teams last night, Carlisle closed us down quickly and did to allow us to play the ball quickly.
The one thing we need to learn from this season is that we need more quality players who can create chances for themselves and others from dead ball situations. Sort that out and with a goal scorer like Cook we would be higher up the league

 

As I repeat and most are saying with our firm midfield starts it’s not going to happen.

Drop Smallwood

 

100% agree and called this out for several of the past 6-10 games. Honestly since post the Stevenage game I find it hard to understand why we haven’t made minor rotations to the starting XI / earlier substitutions on a more frequent basis. I very much support not changing a winning team, but only when you are firing on all cylinders. In contrast we have been grinding out results (Colchester) or struggling against opposition we should be beating when competing for promotion (Barrow, Newport, Hartlepool). Indeed for all of these games there are a Tranmere, Doncaster and Gillingham performance, but again when you are pushing for promotion these are still examples of games we should have been winning.

From the 7 games mentioned above, the team barely changed, certainly outside of changes forced by injuries. The result been selected starting XI have looked knackered and those coming in/on have lacked impact (lack of match practice?) outside of the Colchester game.

 

I'm surprised so many people are being critical of Oliver. I thought he did well when he came on. He wins the majority of headers and his hold up play is very good in tight situations and able to bring others into the game. With him on the pitch we keep the ball in the final third and are able to get bodies closer to goal.

I would really like us to see if we can form a relationship between him and Cook.

 

Offers nothing? He’s second in goal contributions at the entire club and he’s a defensive midfielder by trade what’s that say for the rest? He’s not Zidane but he’s in league 2 for a reason,, the scape goating of him is crazy. He was far better than Clayton again last night which wasn’t saying much as it was another game where if Clayton was called Smallwood he’s be heckled off. As for who to play Gilliead needs to actually contribute in the final third for once to justify selection, last time I checked goals in football were pretty important and it’s something we lack.

 

We'll guys/gals you tell me which game you were at or watched last night :

Hughes version : https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0fb4dhx

Gilliead version : https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0fb49b2, First half we were a yard or two off it, then the gaffer changed it made a few tactical changes it worked out quite well for the second half.

 

Gillead, in one of the moments he'll have been (rightly) lauded for last night, nicked the ball from their wing back and drive is 70 yards up the pitch onto the edge of their box.

Then lost it.

He also lost it every time he got in an attacking position last night, twice because he didn't have the confidence or the ability to just try and put it in with his left foot or beat his man when checking back onto his right.

Yes he ran his arse off and yes he broke things up superbly and yes I agree he probably deserved his MOTM shout BUT, he simply doesn't do enough in the attacking third for a man of his ability. He completely underuses his talent and desperately looks for an easier 'safe' option rather than taking on the shot or cross. That has to change it he'll continue to drift through games making very little contribution in terms of our results.

 

Gilliead pretty much said the same in his interview on Radio Leeds, which I found interesting.

It's a shame we don't use Ryan East a bit more, as he made a Gilliead-esque lung busting run up field, AND found a man that (I think) led to a cross/chance.

Wouldn't mind us trying to accommodate both for a game or two.

 

To be fair Walker and Derbyshire fit would have possibly unlocked them last night. We do lack quality. I for the life of me cannot understand why we can’t get a corner over the first man? Cook is a monster at the moment v strong and fit. Very impressed against a good defence. I thought we did ok just lack quality. They didn’t have much star sparkle either. Good game but the other three draws may kill us.

 

I remember that exact run aided by my comment at the time of 'christ.wrve actually got a midfielder who can run down the middle with the ball.

 

Honestly Reading your pre match comments on most matches with all due respect you have to ask how much lower league football matches you have seen. Most games at this level are wars of attrition often more about athleticism than skill. Last night was a hard fought game with both teams giving it all and in my opinion an enjoyable game. We were far to negative first half but changed in the second half and could and should have won it. I

 

Followed city for about 45 years so i'd estimate i've seen the odd lower league game. Maybe i expect too much from players who are paid to do nothing else but kick a football all week. My comments aren't just aimed at Bradford, i'm still in my old age surprised at how limited players can be yet still be classed as professional. As for your comment that we should have won, what is that based on? We had two efforts at goal, one a deflection that hit the bar. I respect Hughes for changing it up last night though i suspect that had more to do with players being injured.

 

Perhaps I should have left it at could have. It was refreshing to see us giving it a go in the second half. Unfortunately usuall service will probably be resumed against Grimsby. Stand by the comment on the match it was enjoyable

 

Mansfield could only draw with Grimsby tonight so as we stand Mansfield have one game in hand but are 4 points behind us, on tonight's showing Grimsby looked a decent side.

 

Agreed. I was thinking that somehow we have to get him into this team, because he's very good going forward with the ball

 

Us and Leyton Orient only drawing against Hartlepool and Colchester respectively.

Stevenage losing at Rochdale recently.

And Mansfield drawing against a mid-table team tonight

Just shows how horribly tough this league is. It must be the closest in, er, quality we've ever seen. Look at L1 - Barnsley are on 72 points and are only 4th.

The Grimsby game has always worried me. They're easily he divisions most unpredictable team and we can only hope they've started looking at their holiday brochures

 

I actually think he would make a decent midfielder as you say he looks decent going forward with a bit of pace