Most liked posts in thread: McCall speaks...

He wasnt a bad footballer.

 

One of the best Broncs.

I think sometimes you should steer away from your hometown club and make points from afar. Whatever happens Stuey M its the best for all including your health and you will always get work.

A nice man.

 

IMO
Do I think he was a little unlucky with injuries? Yes
Do I think we would've improved had he stayed and avoided the drop? Yes - I think we would've finished about 18th.

However, Stuart is failing to recognise that that is still unacceptable. We should've been aiming for the playoffs, top half absolutely minimum. The fact that we were in the relegation zone after a third of the season is absolutely a sackable offense. He may have turned us around somewhat, but I do not believe he would've done anywhere near as well as T+S are

 

Not heard anything about the players speaking to him like shit, as a person he was well respected and liked. The training methods were questioned though as were tactical decisions. Could and should have lost his rag a couple of times but its just not in his nature which unfortunately is needed when the going gets tough.

 

Where did you see that about BRE? Couldn't find that in the article...

 

Astonishing that you remember the moment so vividly! Kudos. Astonishing too, that SM goes down in your estimation as a player because of one mistake. Don't know about you BB, but I've made plenty of bloody mistakes in my life.

 

Well there were some who said McCall continually returning to manage the club would tarnish his legacy, and it appears it has.

Best players I've seen at City were Stuart and Beagrie, Waddle isn't even in the discussion in terms of his appearances at City - not sure how the rest of his career is relevant, did he even play at VP before signing for us?

 

Someone was trying to say Stuart wasn't the best player we'd ever had. Taking everything into account he was. There will never be another story written at this club like Stuart McCalls.

 

Individual talent is one thing, like Beni, but it rarely drives the whole team on. Graft (like Stuart) is what influences a team most. I loved the idea that Waddle was at our club, but give me Gary Jones any day of the week.

 

I’ve gone an awful feeling he’s on the bottle.

 

Not a happy bunny.

I read that as an attack on Sparks and Rupp.

Offering him as new contract was - STUPID!! SILLY!

 

Disappointing he can't admit any errors or mistakes of his own and casts the blames elsewhere for everything.

 

The transformation when T&S took over was so stark that there had to have been more to it than just injuries. Some players never made the match day squad again, the team had a clear set of instructions or at least looked like they did and there were no square pegs in round holes. That’s the basics, and it’s why I think despite the improvements it’s too early to be congratulating Sparks as if he has saved City. We’re 8 points off the drop, albeit with games in hand.

 

He was about to bring in better players on the back of his contract extension. Didn't he and Lee Turnbull identify Danny Rowe as the number one target along with Niall Canavan?
Ironically I think he wanted us to play the style of football we are now playing. However I can't get past the signing of Motley Henry, not playing with a back four (using AOC and POC in the middle) and the fitness issues.
The problem with McCall managing City is he put too much pressure on himself and that translates down to the players. During our recent unbeaten run we weren't always at our best but the thing I noticed about our management team is even when things weren't going well they didn't look stressed or seem to panic.
Anyway it's gone now, time to move on. I hope Stuart does and I wish him the best.

 

Now you are being silly if were going to quote players who hardly had a full season at Valley Parade why not include Carbone, were talking about a footballer who played his first spell from 1982, till 1988 where him and the rest of that team nearly got us promoted in the nearly season.
He then returned in 1998 and in his first season helped get us promoted to the Premier League.
John Hendrie was a wide man yes he cut in as he had the ability to do so but to class John Hendrie as a midfield player is stretching it.

 

John Hendrie was NEVER a midfield player and Chris Waddle couldn't tackle a fish supper. He was an exceptional passer of the ball and very talented but in terms of contribution to Bradford City McCall is head and shoulders our most influential midfield player of modern times.

 

John Hendrie never played as a "wide midfielder" ever. He was an out and out winger. Often well ahead of midfield players when receiving the ball-where he was most dangerous for us getting behind the full back to get a cross in.

 

Stuart McCall - 40 Full caps for Scotland
John Hendrie - 0 Full caps for Scotland

In what parallel universe was Hendrie a better midfielder than McCall over their full careers? You'd have to be blind to argue that. One was an average standard midfielder/striker by top flight standards. The other played in World Cups, scored FA Cup final goals and has a medal cabinet that is bulging with honours.
You could possibly argue that Hendrie was a better midfielder than Stuart during their relatively brief time together at Bradford City (although most would dispute that) but, to coin your phrase, that's not what the question was.

 

It's just a brisbanebantam wind up, quoting John Hendrie was a better "midfield" player than McCall although at Bradford City Hendrie was an out and out right winger, saying Waddle was the best he'd seen at City basing that on 26 games for us, I'd say the most talented was Beni Carbone at least he played 42 games for City.