Match Thread Most liked posts in thread: Derby County Friendly (H) @ 3 pm Saturday 9 July 2022

Not good enough so far. A lot to do. Some of these players still in Spain.
Derby have started like they want to prove a point and we are poor so far.

 

Just shown the first goal again where was the kid FCD was not aware his man was 4 yards behind him and by the time he did it was too late.

 

Both Bradford an Derby are pressing high but in different ways. City are doing it to try an force a mistake, so in other words, anyone and everyone Whilst Derby are pressing the players who can likely get the ball out from our defence, i.e. East an the full backs

so in other words, its damn near impossible for us to get the ball up field as the full backs arent really full backs

 

Not impressed with that first half display. Derby are a league 1 team and they shouldn’t be dominating the game like they did
Yes I know it’s a friendly but maybe we should stop charging an entrance fee if we’re not gonna try to compete

 

They are both our 3rd choice full backs for each position.

We do need a right back though for sure, happy with Ridehalgh and Foulds on the left

 

FCD is doing my head in. He is being given the ball in some great attacking positions and is only looking to go backwards

 

Full backs look poor. FCD and Threlkeld have absolutely zero effectiveness trying to go forwards. Harratt looks very lively, liking the look of the keeper too.

 

That’s three fullbacks we have seen and not one should be near the squad , never mind the team . Threlkeld has offered poor passing and lousy positioning.

 

Just a fitness builder and assessing peoples strengths/weaknesses.

 

You could tell the players had just done 4 days training and this was Derby's 1st taste of proper action.
I wasn't keen on the 2 right footed cb combo.
But you can't judge anything from pre season friendlies.
Swindon lost to Marine 2-0
Morecambe lost at Macclesfield
Sunderland lost to a 9th tier team i think.

 

He looks to sit on the shoulder of the last defender. To get the best out of him we'll need someone to be able to play a through ball or dink over the top. If we can do that it also varies the attack and will make defenders wonder how we'll attack.

 

Definitely need two sizes up if you are buying a shirt. @Fordy117 you will need size L for your midgets.

On to the game. They are a championship quality side and it showed. Except their keeper who was really dodgy.

Going forward I can see we will be a force to be reckoned with-Chapman and Walker linking up well in first half.

Smallwood coming deep to get on the ball and make things happen.

Lewis made some great saves, is a quick lad and looks to command his box more than we have been used to seeing. Still not convinced Song'o is a CH though.

How their 14 didn't get asked to leave the field after he elbowed Songo'o in the face I really don't know.

Lots of good neat play down the left second half as well.

Osadebe is quick and looks a direct player-a good run second half took my eye.

I think they had near enough their best 11 out in the first half (looked like it anyway based on their second half performance) but we were far from that IMO so we competed very well except at FB-Staunton has a brand new a hole given to him by their very fast winger Forsyth? Magnificent player and had us on the rack every time he got the ball. FCD awol with their opening goal. But we were generally calm when in possession and its clear how MH wants us to play.

Far more to be positive about. Still cannot make up my mind what is our best starting 11 though.

 

This 100% How many more games do the people saying we don't need another RB or CB cover because we've got those two, need to watch them play before they see the light?

 

pre season friendlies aren’t so much about the final scoreline, but more about players getting minutes, adapting to certain systems and formations

The Positives:

We defend on the front foot. An we do it in the right way, all the players up front are in sync with their pressing

It forced the Derby keeper into a few mistakes. That kind of attitude will play dividends against League Two backlines who won’t be technically gifted enough to play the ball out from the ball correctly every single time

Keeper looks good. Very comfortable with the ball at his feet.

Chapman looks like a great addition to the team. Some much needed pace up front. Was also very impressed with Young. Good pair of feet an not afraid to take on a defender.

The Negatives :

I don’t think Platt an Songo would be a good CB partnership, neither look overly confident on the ball.

The Full backs who arent even full backs will not ever be playing full back again. Shocker. Mendez Liang had Staunton on the ropes all half

Still plenty of time. Still need to see the team play at full strength. I can see Crichlow being a regular at LCB. We need one player comfortable on the ball back there

 

He didn’t go nor watched…He “heard”! . HE said friendlies are all about fitness? Ones tune has changed after “ hearing” it was a disjointed game with 40 different players on show?

 

Fat chance

 

We were poor today but it was a friendly,we played Bury at home in pre season 12/13 who at the time were an ordinary league 1 team and they beat us easily 3-0. That season didn’t turn out too bad.

 

Brilliant pre season game for me today.. we couldnt have faced a better club for the test and i know what Hughes means by he got exactly what he needed out of it.. we should have been beating this Derby County team today and thats what i feel he will have taken out of it and meant with that comment there..

Last week this club was on its backside.. had 5 players signed on.. theyve brought in whilst having signing/budget restrictions in place structure permitting with club future uncertainty.. scurried around at the death and got some experience in over the line that will start the season but lets be honest none of them even got minutes for them today..

Fair play 2 Derby County they showed up in the stands.. on the songs and dealt with us convincingly..........

Apart from his 1 dodgy clearance but excellent recovery stop from it i thought are keeper really looked the part.. has feet.. hands.. commands.. i think we finally have a big missing link to a promotion finally here..

Like i said brilliant game because im not keen on how Hughes has gone about the market if im honest as i expected more.. players in to try bounce league 1 with same squad possibly as appose to the rip up and start again we are looking like if we do get a promotion but no doubt wages/budget/lads no fancying the drop is the cause of it market wise for this season..

Hope im wrong but wont be the stroll a few are expecting this season imo due to market activity.. hes hoping on getting an extra 20% from everybody to force it..

Good game.. took alot out of it and sure the club did.. enjoyed it..

 

I think right back is priority in my opinion at the moment.

I like Hendrie, steady away, but we need better in my opinion. I would imagine MH is looking to bring in someone better than Hendrie too, rather than a squad player to provide cover.

 

we have to have a scapegoat every season it’s sadly the Bradford City way