The Voice - Match preview Morecambe vs Bradford City Saturday 19th August 2023 3:00pm

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EFL LEAGUE TWO FIXTURE #4

Saturday 19th August 2023 15:00
Morecambe vs Bradford City
Mazuma Mobile Stadium (AKA Globe Arena)

22/23 Results:

Did Not Play

Head-to-Head Form: LWWWL

Won: 10
Drawn: 4
Lost: 5

Biggest Margin of Victory:

28 Dec 2008: Bradford City 4 – 0 Morecambe

Current Form:

Bradford City: DWDL
Morecambe: DLDW

MORECAMBE

To say Derek Adams has landed on a very settled side so far this season would be an understatement. The starting XI has been the same across all 3 league fixtures so far, and even in the EFL Cup tie against Rotherham United, Adams made only 1 change – Jordan Slew coming in for Adam Mayor for his only start of the season.

While other sides may be working out what works best for them, Adams seems to have made up his mind early – and that involves fielding 4 midfielders aged 21 of under, supporting by former Bantams defensive midfielder Yann Songo'o.

Adam Mayor is the youngest of Morecambe's EFL League Two ever-presents at just 18 years of age (and has already netted his first of the season in the opening game against Walsall), with Shrewsbury Town loanee Tom Bloxham at 19, Cardiff City loanee Eli King at 20, and ex-Watford player JJ McKiernan at 21. That inexperience hasn't hampered Morecambe much, especially at home. While Morecambe were well-beaten at Field Mill by Mansfield Town in a 3-0 defeat, Derek Adams has otherwise managed Morecambe to an away cup draw at Rotherham United, and a win and a draw at home in the league to Walsall and Notts County respectively.

That is something of a continuation of last season, where despite being relegated Morecambe had a positive home record of 8 wins, 8 draws, and just 7 defeats – contrasted with their away form of just 2 wins, 6 draws, and a full 15 defeats on their travels. Don't expect the welcome wagon to be rolled out for Bradford City this Saturday, then, as Morecambe away has typically been a pretty tough affair for The Bantams.

In the most recent game at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium, Morecambe gave newly-promoted (and highly ambitious) Notts County a real test. 'A very good 0-0 game', purred Derek Adams, who seems to be relishing coaching his spritely young midfield with the help of Yann Songo'o, very much a Derek Adams player at this stage, as well as a more experienced back line of club captain Ferrand Rawson, Joel Senior, Jacob Bedeau, and Donald Love, with Stuart Moore between the sticks. Up front, 19 year old Burnley loanee Michael Mellon cuts an impressive figure despite his lack of first team goals, with natural size and athleticism allowing him to cause defences much senior to him a lot of problems. Yes, that makes Songo'o the only player above the age of 30 regularly starting for Morecambe, though they do have a bit more experience to call on from the bench with Jordan Slew (30) and Chris Stokes (32) ready to bolster their sides attack and defence respectively.

It's still a very young side, however, and it remains to be seen how the squad holds up to the rigours of week in, week out League Two football – but this far, they've been successful in making the Globe Arena a tough place to visit yet again.

There will be no favours for City on Saturday, particularly with Derek Adams looking to improve on his dismal record facing The Bantams with Morecambe – he's currently 1W-3L in head-to-head terms, although his Morecambe side did beat The Bantams 2-0 the last time the two clubs met at the Globe Arena during The Shrimps' promotion season in the 20/21 season. Adams would head to Valley Parade shortly thereafter, in a largely disappointing stint typified by Adams' inability to connect with the Bradford City fanbase.

To say that Adams is out for 'revenge' would probably be a stretch – but he will almost certainly be out for vindication, and having got his players working typically hard, it was interesting to hear Adams describe what his team did really well against Notts County on Tuesday night. A high press, he alluded to, that suffocated Notts County as they tried to play out from the back, and saw them nearly capitalise on defensive errors. Probably not the tactics City fans will have hoped for, given The Bantams have already conceded a howler this season against Colchester United under similar circumstances...

But that said, Morecambe have now not scored in 2 successive games, and despite acquitting themselves well, that's a story that will be all too familiar to Bradford City fans based on Adams' time at the club. A blank on Saturday would no doubt be welcome, too, though it does feel like it's only a matter of time before Mellon (who did score in the EFL Cup at Rotherham United) makes his mark in league football.



Mansfield Town 3 – 0 Morecambe



Morecambe 0 – 0 Notts County

BRADFORD CITY

Bradford City will come into the Morecambe game as strong favourites, despite the fact they haven't won away from home this season in either league or cup – save for the penalty shoot out victory that booked the Bantams a spot in the EFL Cup second round against Phil Parkinson's superstar-backed Wrexham. An opening day defeat at Crawley Town in League Two was somewhat marred by overzealous refereeing that saw the only goal of the game come from a questionable free kick, and Bradford effectively neutered by the equally questionable dismissal of Daniel Oyegoke.

Still, City haven't lost a game since, having stopped the rot early with a draw at Accrington in the cup, and followed that up with a victory in their only home game of the season so far against Colchester United. Mark Hughes' men then travelled to Stockport County for a tough away tie against a side desperate to get their season up-and-running, and by all accounts both teams showed what a handful they can be and how they might find themselves at the top end of the table before long.

Bradford City took the lead through midfield sharpshooter Alex Pattison, who now has 3 goals in his last 3 games for his new club, only for substitute striker Isaac Olaofe to equalise with 10 minutes to go. There was still time for Andy Cook to waste a glorious opportunity to win the game with a spot kick, and again moments later when a heavy touch allowed keeper Ben Hinchcliffe to make a fairly easy block one-on-one – but Cook should take heart from the fact he's getting chances, as opposed to being starved after his blockbuster tally of 30 last season. It wasn't all City's way, however, as Stockport County had a number of gilt-edged chances. Paddy Madden fluffed his lines from all of a yard, and Louie Barry was energetic-but-wasteful – an indictment of Stockport's high-pace, exciting style that ultimately lacks a clinical and composed product in the final third.

There's plenty of room for optimism for the Bantams after getting one of the toughest away trips of the season out of the way without tasting defeat (and, really, they could easily have won). For the second successive away league fixture, Mark Hughes' men registered more shots on goal than their opposition, and yes, that statistic includes the Crawley game despite being down to 10 men so early on in the game.

Among the negatives for City were the pass completion percentages along their back line. Matthew Platt was the worst offender completing just 59 % of his passes, though Ciaran Kelly (70 %) and Sam Stubbs (71 %) also found it a tough game. Daniel Oyegoke (58 %) was very hit and miss from his right wing back roll also notching up the highest number of fouls (3), although on the opposite flank Alex Gilliead (79 %) was statistically one of Bradford City's tidiest players on the pitch – albeit it with a lower output.

Alex Pattison, though, is the star player for City on more than one front. The most prolific goalscorer this early in the season, Pattison also boasted the best pass percentage of any player in the starting XI by some margin – clocking in at 84 % pass completion.

Harry Lewis will have opened himself to some criticism after a couple more questionable moments in goal, but it is to be noted he matched his Stockport County counterpart with 4 successful saves – and once again kept City in the game at other points, underlining his reputation as one of the best shot stoppers in League Two.

Mark Hughes seemed satisfied overall with the point, suggesting his side will look back upon it later in the season as a decent draw, but will likely expect more came Saturday afternoon away at Morecambe.



Bradford City 2 – 1 Colchester United



Stockport County 1 – 1 Bradford City

 

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THE BREAKDOWN

Morecambe: 11/4
Draw: 9/4
Bradford City: 21/20

Descriptions of Derek Adams' performance this season probably won't come as a surprise to Bradford City fans. While the Scotsman may not have endeared himself to the Valley Parade faithful, his City side was characteristically hard-working, rugged, and determined. That they have failed to score in their last couple of games despite their high press and direct football might also not come as a surprise, but that's no reason for the Bantams to drop their guard – they are as liable as any other League Two side playing this style of football to gift their opponents opportunities...

That said, if Kevin McDonald slots in to the starting line up alongside Richie Smallwood (and as he gets more game time that becomes more likely), Bradford City will boast a massive experience advantage in like-for-like terms, and while Yann Songo'o did have a few admirers at Valley Parade in the past couple of seasons, he's going to have his hands full with the likes of Alex Pattison and Clarke Oduor who are looking increasingly useful going forwards.

It's surely only a matter of time before Andy Cook gets his name on the scoresheet (this sentiment may be repeated ad nauseum until he does actually score), but at the opposite end of the pitch, surely Michael Mellon will trouble the scoreboard before long too. Any highlight reel of Morecambe will show their strong and athletic teenage centre forward involving himself in most of The Shrimp's best moves, but it remains to be seen how he will compete against the imposing back line of Stubbs, Kelly and Platt, who may just be better suited at dealing with a Mellon than a Madden.

Expect Morecambe to have chances; expect xG to imply Morecambe had a good hand in this game; but ultimately, this is a very young side matched against one who look particularly well-suited to face the high-press of Morecambe with a new, more direct style of play and rapid counter-attacking style. Not every Bradford City fan is as yet on board with this new-look Bantams' formation or the tactics, but this might be one occasion this season where Bradford City are able to show their class and experience in an otherwise tough tie at a relatively unhappy hunting ground.

0-0 is a possibility – but with Alex Pattison in particular in irresistible form, it's hard to bet against Bradford City scoring. Will Morecambe hit back through their dynamic, young attack or stalwart defenders like Songo'o or Rawson? It's possible. But the pick is a 1-0 win for City that leaves Derek Adams red-faced, but ready and willing to carry on his work with his students at pace. Don't expect an easy game, though, least of all in the away tie.

PREDICTION:

Morecambe 0 – 1 Bradford City