Match Thread City V Sunderland 19/7/2022@7.00pm(will it go ahead?)

You hope we go up ? Where’s that ambition you keep harping on about you know the one people of Bradford don’t have ? Seems like you have u-turned again or you really wasn’t too ambitious yourself

 

I agree Fordy but we are in a better position than we ever have been pre-season for a long time....... We will win more than we lose methinks and we have goals all over /good midfield and a good keeper. We will also get people to join us in Jan if we are doing okay or well.....all very positive.. I like it

 

See @Fordy117 this is the kind of post expected of you.

None of that blah-di-blah consolidate and free hit nonsense. Grow a pair, lad! You should be insisting on success.

 

He only insists stuff when it’s going wrong but don’t forget if we get promoted this year he will be I told you …..listen to me

 

there is a big gap that needs shortening, but hughes already put in the ground work towards the end of last season. Our style of football was a lot more progressive an productive an that was with a shit show of a squad. Im very happy with the way things have been conducted this summer. Most of the team in early, given additional time to gel. the defence is already getting used to the keeper. We still have players from last season who are already gelled in.

The main issue is the injuries an illnesses we’ve had. Eisa is now out for a while. Odusina, Ridehalgh, Hendrie haven’t played. Gilliead an Oliver have barely played. But from yesterdays reports, Foulds an Halliday did really well. Reckon Halliday will retain his spot going into the season. Ridehalgh an Foulds will push each other to new levels. Crichlow has played a few games now an hopefully he begins to form a partnership with Platt seeing as Odusina is out. The midfield duo is still up for debate. I assume East will partner Smallwood for most games but its hard to say.

 

Ultimately the attack will gel in due course. But we need to get the defence organised as soon as possible. Id like to see the same back 4 play against Chesterfield that played against Sunderland. As we saw against Derby, our entire play style dictates on how strong our defence is. If we are weak there, opposition teams will keep us pegged back. We need the defence to be confident, an to be able to bring the ball forward consistently so the attackers can get on with their jobs at the other end of the pitch

 

Hughes has built a resilient squad that can cope with injuries, suspensions and loss of form, It is quite a clever squad and am very optimistic for the coming season

 

A hopefully kick a few people too. I've had enough of us being a nice side to play against.

 

There were a few slide-ins last night and that was a friendly!

 

I feel the Cook decision is pretty big. Last night in a very short space of time Oliver showed us what Cook is n’t. We have a number of options with our forward players at the moment but many have a concern over Angol’s long term fitness. Also a worry that Harratt could be recalled in January, If both of those happen we will be short and it will only take one other injury to leave us really short.

Cook’s conversion ratio can’t be that impressive but right now he look’s fitter than he’s ever done.
If he does n’t play too often I can’t see his ratio improving any when he does get in the team.
I’m not a huge fan of his but I’d keep him. If I was Cook I’d be looking to move on. He might start against Donny if Oliver is n’t ready but if everyone is fit I can’t see him getting many starts.

 

Odusina , imho, has been brought in on a three year deal for several reasons, the immediate one is short term cover for Crichlow and Pratt. Second to cover for Crichlow in case he’s pulled by Hudders in January 2023 and lastly give him more time to develop under MH/GH.

 

Dont see a player with 14 league goals, aged 22 going cheap. If Sunderland are willing to sell there will be a host of L1 afrer him.

 

Yeh figured him out ages ago.

He predicted around 10th anyway.

 

But but we lost Paudie......

 

And we train at a school

 

And POC not flavour of the month at Lincoln. “Bradford fans were right, his distribution is poor”

 

It was certainly one of his weaknesses along with a rush of blood, but I suppose you get them two weaknesses with lower league defenders otherwise they’d be at clubs higher up. Rory McArdle was very much a head it and kick it type of defender.

 

Afternoon. You need to stop living in the past and see the shiny new team we have. Lots of pace and guile across the whole team.

Next season teams will be hoping to leave VP with at least a draw for sure. Expect lots of time wasting and gamesmanship/disruptive actions from oppo teams.

I have seen enough of an improvement since MH took over that I feel we are going to have a great season. You cannot compare last seasons squad with this seasons-chalk and cheese.

Move on mate and enjoy what happens this season.

I think it will be one to remember for the right reasons.

 

I think it's accurate to suggest that Oliver looks like he might be first choice target man this season. His aerial prowess against Sunderland was top draw.

I think like Gilliead, though, that just because Adams relied solely on Cook as the spearhead of his attack, Hughes could easily find another role for Andy.

Cook in a front two would be the most logical way for Andy to establish himself in the team; but I can also see him pressing Angol for a starting berth in a front three.

What I did notice at Sunderland is how simple the strategy became when Oliver came on - Oliver would win headers and SPECIFICALLY look for Angol. There's no reason Cook couldn't do that role. There will be plenty of times when clogging in to Oliver becomes untenable, and there's going to be times when Angol isn't playing well or isn't fit.

We'd be really stupid to let Cook leave at this point, IMO, look at last season with the sheer lack of options for a centre forward - it was literally Cook or nowt, even when Cook was looking unfit/lacking sharpness/off form.

We really want to flog Vadaine to death? Not for me, and I'm certain Hughes will give Cook plenty of game time as he rotates his forwards.

 

Oh dear.