Match Thread City v Doncaster Rovers Saturday 30 July 2022 @ 3.00pm

League Two Fixture #1
Saturday 30 July 15:00
Bradford City vs Doncaster Rovers
Valley Parade

Head-to-Head Results:

Form: DLLLW

30 Sep 2017: Bradford City (Wyke 18, Knight Percival 42) 2 – 0 Doncaster Rovers [League One]
19 Mar 2018 Doncaster Rovers (Marquis 75, 90+2) 2 – 0 Bradford City [League One]
22 Sep 2018: Doncaster Rovers (Marquis 23, 52) 2 – 1 Bradford City (Miller 81) [League One]
06 Apr 2019: Bradford City 0 – 1 Doncaster Rovers (Wilks 73) [League One]
08 Sep 2020: Doncaster Rovers 0 – 0 Bradford City (4-1 on Penalties) [Football League Trophy]

Head-to-Head Results (All Time):

Won: 33
Drawn: 24
Lost: 28

Biggest Margin of Victory:

04 Sep 2007: Doncaster Rovers 5 – 1 Bradford City [Johnstones Paint Trophy]
28 Aug 1937: Doncaster Rovers 4 – 0 Bradford City [Division Three (North)]

Spoiler: Historic Results Analysis

Although Bradford City have traditionally had their upper hand on their Yorkshire rivals, Doncaster Rovers have turned the tide with their most recent results. John Marquis was key to Doncaster's success against City, notching 4 goals in the last 5 fixtures; more than Bradford City's players have managed to score combined.

Bradford City will look to match their performance of their victory from 30 September 2017 when Charlie Wyke and Nathaniel Knight Percival each scored in the first half to give City a 2-0 home win.

Opposition Transfer Activity:

Doncaster Rovers – Incoming:

Lee Tomlin, Forward, Walsall, Free Transfer
James Maxwell, Left Back, Rangers, Free Transfer
George Miller, Forward, Barnsley, Free Transfer
Harrison Biggins, Midfield, Fleetwood, Free Transfer
Luke Molyneux, Midfield, Hartlepool, Free Transfer
Adam Long, Defender, Wigan, Undisclosed
Kyle Hurst, Winger, Birmingham, Undisclosed
Josh Andrews, Forward, Birmingham, Loan

Doncaster Rovers – Outgoing:

Ed Williams, Midfield, Rochester NY, Free Transfer
Cameron John, Defender, Rochdale, Free Transfer
Anthony Greaves, Midfield, York City, Free Transfer
Branden Horton, Defender, Chesterfield, Free Transfer
Jordy Hiwula, Forward, Ross County, Undisclosed
Ben Blythe, Defender, Swansea, Undisclosed
John Bostock, Released
Joseph Dodoo, Released
Dan Gardner, Released
Fejiri Okenabirhie, Released
Lirak Hasani, Released

Spoiler: Transfer Analysis

Of the players to depart, Bostock [17 (4)], Jordy Hiwula [18 (2)], Branden Horton [14(6)], Joseph Dodoo [26(7)], and Dan Gardner [12 (8)] were able to complete double figures worth of starts for Doncaster Rovers in their ill-fated 2021/22 season. Hiwula managed 1 goal, Horton 2 goals, Dodoo 4 goals, and Gardner 3 goals.

Of the players to arrive, 33 year old Lee Tomlin brings experience to the front line, despite limited game time across the past two seasons. Tomlin's most successful season came in 2019/20, when he bagged 9 goals and 10 assists across 36 appearances as Swansea City made the Championship Play-off Semi Final. Tomlin briefly signed for Walsall towards the end of the 2021/22 season, but managed just 1 start and 4 substitute appearances.

23 year old former two-time Bradford City loan striker George Miller also joins Tomlin in making the switch from Walsall to Doncaster Rovers. Miller managed 48 appearances for Walsall last season, scoring a career-best 12 times, including once against Bradford City in City's 2-1 victory at the Bescot in January.

24 year old attacking midfielder/winger Luke Molyneux was a stand out player for Hartlepool United last term, making 55 total appearances and scoring 12 goals. Molyneux has promised to add 'character' to the Doncaster Rovers team, and has targetted a 15 goal haul this season.

26 year old midfielder Harrison Biggins made 37 appearances last term for League One side Fleetwood Town, netting five goals and two assists. Biggins was released by Fleetwood at the end of last season having made 101 appearances for the club.

But Doncaster Rovers manager Gary McSheffrey has also added youth, and spent funds to acquire it. 20 year old attacking midfielder Kyle Hurst from Birmingham City has joined 20 year old left back James Maxwell from Rangers at the Eco-Power, with 21 year old centre back Adam Long joining from Wigan Athletic.

Doncaster Rovers 2021/22:

Relegation for Doncaster Rovers, who finished 22nd, 2 points clear of safety. Doncaster managed 10 wins, 8 draws, and 28 defeats. Only Crewe Alexandra lost more matches than Doncaster Rovers.

Doncaster scored 37 goals, and conceded 82 goals.

Doncaster Rovers have retained last season's top scorer Tommy Rowe (7 goals), as well as the players with the most appearances: Kyle Knoyle (45), Tommy Rowe (43), Matthew Smith (43), Joseph Olowu (35), Ethan Galbraith (33), and Ro-Shaun Williams (32).

Conversely, Doncaster have lost two of their three joint-second top scorers in Josh Martin (Returned to Norwich City) and Joseph Dodoo (Released).

Bradford City 2021/22:

Bradford City finished 14th in League Two, 20 points clear of safety and 19 points adrift of the play offs. Bradford City managed 14 wins, 16 draws, and 16 defeats.

Bradford City managed 53 goals, conceding 55 goals.

It's all change at Bradford City, as the Bantams lose second top scorer Charles Vernam (8 goals), as well as several players with high numbers of appearances: Paudie O'Connor (45), Callum Cooke (42), and Elliot Watt (41).

Bradford City retained top scorers Andy Cook (12) and Lee Angol (6), as well as several players with high numbers of appearances: Alex Gilliead (43), Yan Songo'o (41), Andy Cook (39), and Levi Sutton (32).

Bradford City fans will anticipate the full debuts of permanent signings Jamie Walker, Vadaine Oliver, Harry Chapman, Ryan East, Brad Halliday, Harry Lewis, Timi Odusina, Emmanuel Osadebe, Matthew Platt, Richie Smallwood, and Jake Young. Loan signings Kian Harratt and Romoney Crichlow join a revamped squad.

Spoiler: Transfer Analysis

31 year old defensive midfielder Richie Smallwood made 43 total appearances for Championship side Hull City, scoring 2 goals. Smallwood enjoyed the captaincy at Hull.

29 year old attacking midfielder Jamie Walker enjoyed 19 appearances last season on loan from Hearts, scoring 4 times in 19 appearances.

30 year old forward Vadaine Oliver made 43 appearances for League One outfit Gillingham, netting 11 times.

24 year old attacking midfielder Harry Chapman played a total of 33 games last season, scoring 1 goal. Chapman spent most of the season at League One Burton Albion on loan from Championship Millwall.

25 year old midfielder Emmanuel Osadebe made a total of 50 appearances for League Two Walsall, scoring a career-best 5 goals.

Meanwhile, manager Mark Hughes has bolstered the Bradford City defence with the signings of Timi Odusina (43 appearances last season) and Matthew Platt (31 appearances last season), while adding striker Jake Young (29 appearances last season with 4 goals).

Bradford City will also look to cash in on the recent, relevant experience of loan duo Romoney Crichlow and Kian Harratt, who both enjoyed successful seasons with Swindon Town and Port Vale (promoted) respectively.

Outlook:

Gary McSheffrey and Mark Hughes were appointed just months apart, sharing a similar length of time in charge of their respective clubs. Yet it is Mark Hughes that has revolutionised his playing staff to the greatest extent, with 14 new arrivals and 11 departures.

While Doncaster Rovers look to lean on the experience of Lee Tomlin, as well as last season's top scorer Tommy Rowe, the arrivals of George Miller and Luke Molyneux will be expected to bolster their number of goals scored. The defence could look largely the same as last term, save for the arrival of Rangers full back James Maxwell, while the midfield will have a new shine with both Molyneux and Biggins arriving in the Summer. Up front, Reo Griffiths will compete with the aforementioned Tomlin and Miller for a starting berth.

Bradford City, meanwhile, are likely to look significantly changed. A brace of new goalkeepers, a new look defence, as well as several options to bolster the midfield and front line, this will be an unfamiliar line up for the Valley Parade crowd. With hopes and expectations running high this season, eyes will be fixed on Vadaine Oliver, Richie Smallwood, and Jamie Walker in particular, with each boasting vast experience at higher levels. However, Hughes has also committed to signing several younger, perhaps hoping to bring pace and energy to a high-press game.

Odds:
9/10 - Bradford City
13/5 - Draw
33/10 - Doncaster Rovers

Predicted Outcome (Oddspedia):
1-1