The Voice - Match preview Mansfield Town vs Bradford City Saturday 2nd September 2023 3:00pm

Steve Gardner. Only memory is of him wearing the rarely spotted red/white diamond bukta kit!

 

Dreadful defender,made Ash Taylor seem like Rio Ferdinand. Took part in Swansea’s 6-4 demolition of us.

 

Im pleased to hear that, but could he have done more, particularly down our left?

 

Here's a question for you then.

A back 4 of Morgan, Dowson, Gardener and .... Who?

(Or was it a back 5?)

 

That last paragraph is a sad indictment of just how bad we are.

 

Mansfield were never one of the promotion favourites. Wrexham, Stockport, Gillingham, Salford, MK Dons, ourselves, and perhaps others were all ahead of Mansfield in terms of favourites to go up.

You're giving them respect like they're the Orient of this season and that we're some kind of underdogs. It's the wrong mentality.

 

They are well fancied for promotion
https://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/league-2

 

Sorry mate but I can't agree. Our passing and movement had improved in the Wrexham game and again at Mansfield, even though Pattison was missing. It was interesting that Osedebe, who had been very disappointing in the early games was much improved and very influential in both games. I think on Saturday both sides cancelled each other out with no end product giving us a 0:0 draw.
For this new system to work good passing and movement is a start but there needs to be goals to finish it off, from Pattison, Smith, the new boys and Cooky Monster when fit. Some promising signs so far.
I feel Halliday can play that RWB role LWB Ridehalgh? probably not. Bobby Pointon looks like he is doing enough to get opportunities rather than going out on loan.
It's early days yet as no team is looking like going on a run at the moment.

 

Down Memory Lane we go... We did have two Hall-of-Fame defenders at least, in Brian Mitchell and Gavin Oliver, but that was Mitchell's last season with us and he only appeared in 20 league matches, and Oliver only appeared in 10. Dean Richards got his start that season, with a handful of appearances. Otherwise, Brian Tinnion (though also midfield) and Gary Williams, with James Willis and Noel Blake on loan. Oh, Michael Duxbury too -- but did he spend his time at FB or midfield that season?

RCB

 

Yeah I saw Oliver on the highlights on Youtube.

I think I also spotted Williams although in my head, Alan Dowson started at left back but it was a long time ago so it looks like I was wrong.

Who did you mean by James Willis? I'm trying to work it out but can't come up with a name?

 

Better known as Jimmy, but I tend to forget to put nicknames into my files... A CH we brought in on loan from Leicester; played 9 league matches for us, near the end of the season, and even scored a goal. Also played in the League for Stockport and Darlington.

Mitchell was a RB by trade, so I expect that was his position for the 20 matches he appeared in. Tinnion was a LB/M -- maybe he was LB in some matches. Babb was an ever-present -- but was he at CH for all the matches? Once Docherty had gone I expect he was... Oliver and Blake were CHs.

It's hard to get my head round the fact that we're talking about a generation ago. I wish I'd written up the lineups in those years; maybe I did, but if so they didn't survive til when I started putting everything on the computer.

RCB

 

Thanks RCB.

I recognise all the players except Willis and even a quick Google didn't jog my memory so I wondered if it was maybe an auto correct.

Perhaps it's rose tinted glasses and the exuberance of youth too but I did enjoy the football much more back in those days. It just seemed a bit more blood and thunder with plenty of excitement, especially shooting towards the Kop.

 

If it was that easy I think thousands would do the same but these always that niggling doubt that MAYBE JUST MAYBE we may actually turn up and go out and beat up on a side

 

Dochertys first game Newcastle at a 3-2 win what could go wrong I remember a night game against up against 9 men and we scraped in a 2-1 win .

 

Could have been Gavin Oliver in his last season. Just discovered that the Swansea 4-6 was after just after Docherty got sacked and Leighton James was caretaker manager.

 

So now we're not jus 'boring', were an all-time worst City side?

Yep, pure hysteria.

 

Reminded me of Gary Mabbutt with his pigeon chest running style

 

Praise indeed from the Mansfield fans.

 

For some perspective, Nigel Clough's comments after the game:

"The lads have given absolutely everything. You can't doubt their commitment. Bradford are very well organised, well drilled and very difficult to break down. We had to be at our best to do that, but we found it tough. We are never happy with a 0-0 at home but it's nice to keep the unbeaten run going"

I think it is always very interesting to hear the opposition view on us, especially a seasoned manager like Clough

 

Crap pitch, 5000 crowds, getting battered.
Glory days lol.
Still a division above where we are today .