Match Thread Grimsby Town vs Bradford City - EFL Trophy

I'm sure I read somewhere that he hadn't been picked in the squad for the Russia game

 

The coach said Odour 'looked scared' on his last appearance, after subbing the sub.
I don't think he'll be playing for Kenya for a while.

 

Was that before or after he’d stood on the ball and nearly made it through the billboards?

 

Not a fan of showboating at all. Who was who cleaned out Richarlison last season? Was it a Hammer? Anyway, it shows a lack of class and a lot of disrespect for a fellow pro. Not necessary, if you want to rub noses in it, put the ball in their net.

 

Not had chance to post about the match yet, but watched it on iFollow and really enjoyed it! Thought we played well.

I was impressed with Pointon, and Afoka who seemed to have a good level of confidence, and certainly grew into the game.

Dare I say Ash Taylor had a good game, as did Kev McDonald although he was flagging towards the end. Smallwood excellent again too.

Smith was in and out of the game.

Richards looks like a real find and looks like the mid to long term successor to Ridehalgh. Even Oyegoke did well before he went off.

Overall an enjoyable game and I certainly enjoyed it more than the bloody Tranmere game the week before.

 

Strange that we watched the same game but had a massively different view on one player. I do agree withe the rest, even Taylor resembles something like a footballer this time but I thought Afoka was hopeless again.

For me he's quickly running out of chances.

 

Credit where it was due, Ash Taylor had a decent game.

agree on Afoka. Can’t see any reason to keep him in Jan, sorry, he’s just not ready for senior football.

my other thoughts were:

Doyle - big Col looked assured. Much stronger than the shaky Grimsby stopper. If Lewis needs a rest again, we can call on Doyle.

Richards - caught under the ball for the goal and still a bit raw, but he’s energetic. I think its Ridehalgh’s spot to lose this season, though.

osadebe - took his goal superbly and loved the way he stood up for his teammate at the end. We must appeal the card on principle, though I don’t think he’s good enough for a spot in the squad tbh when McDonald is on the bench and Pattison is fit.

Pointon - loved him dropping his shoulder. Exciting player. Didn’t have the impact he had vs Swindon but with him on the pitch you have hope of a goal.

Smith - pace to burn and made some good runs in behind, but lacks composure and snatched at a couple. His past scoring record makes sense - he’s unlikely to improve it here. If we need a pace injection, though, he serves a purpose.

McDonald - his legs look to have gone. Maybe balancing managing effected him but came out second best a few times and on another day with a harsher ref, could have got a red for two yellows for his late tackles. Stick to coaching for now Kev!

Smallwood - we have our captain back. Liking the resurgent Richie, who was looking forwards not backwards (ala Hughes) and made some good through balls in behind them for Smith and Afoka. Keep it up you big smoggie. Two good games in a row.

 

Pretty fair Border, however a couple of slight disagreements really.

KM was sound, and calmness personified. Yes agree he will see bookings because of a loss in pace, however that comes with the territory. I don’t expect him to see more than 50% of games, manager or not.

Smith is my real disagreement and disappointment . He doesn’t look fit, he looks lost as the lone , pacy man up top, and not much better if at all than the young lads we have.

Both the home grown youngsters do look exciting for sure, Pointon and Jeffries.

Manny, technically capable 4/10 but has heart, plays with a smile on his face, and a great bloke to have around the squad. Took his goal well. Confounded the critics with it!

 

Agree with you about big Kev. Yes there is a lack of pace, but some of the balls he plays are absolute quality - the ball in for Taylor to knock down for Kelly on Tuesday night and the ball through for Tulloch at Newport were both sublime.
I also agree that other than his pace, Smith appears to offer little at the moment and gets bullied off the ball too easily for my liking.
It was interesting to hear Kev singing Manny's praises post match and saying what a good player he is, he must be showing something in training, let's just hope that goal has done his confidence the world of good and he can crack on and be the player we hoped we were getting before his horrific injury.

 

City are appealing the red card
https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportlatest/23851906.bantams-appeal-emmanuel-osadebe-red-card-grimsby/

 

Good luck with that one...

 

If he was sent off for grabbing the player by the throat as the specific alleged offence and film proved it was somebody else or it didn’t happen at all, what is wrong with appealing ? Or would they call it violent conduct . If the latter you could be right, but grabbing a shirt isn’t exactly violent ? We shall see ?

 

I hope he gets away with it because that competition is the only chance of him getting 90 minutes in my opinion, but watching it in real-time my initial thought was he’s off.

 

Little wager for the burns unit. You think Osadebe is going to be a key player for us this season? If we can define that I'm happy to donate if you are?

 

A key player in midfield should be getting at least 5 goals and 5 assists surely?

 

Happy to take that - if it's not too negative for Johnny that is.

No way in hell that is happening - I'll even include the mickey mouse EFL cup in the count.

If it's aimless running and turnover of possession stats we might have to have a considerable multiple of that figure though.

 

There's no way Osadebe is turning into a key player.

 

Don't be so negative

 

Ok, I'll donate a tenner at end of season regardless of whether I'm proven right or wrong when I said he'll become an 'important' part of the squad.

However, we need to determine what you deem is an important part of the team.

Or we wait until well into new year and we can argue whether he's become integral to the team or not ... haha
Of course, we can invite others on here to adjudicate when the time comes!

 

Its a very loose term. Oliver could be classified as an "important part of the team", because despite never scoring, he takes minutes away from Cook so he can have a rest. Ossy can be classed as an important player for the team, as he's used in these cups ties, so that our mainstay midfield don't waste energy midweek. Same could be said of Doyle!