The Voice - Match preview Northampton Town vs Bradford City Saturday 29 April 2023 @ 3:00pm

I have no problem holding my hand up. Yes he got better as the season went on, then went downhill a bit. I cannot fault his commitment and effort and he fully deserves his place in the first eleven. But....he's weak in the air and an adequate rather than quality defender. He also now gives the ball away a lot, although that is partly due to lack of options in front of him. His strength is going forward, but then I'm old fashioned and think the primary role of a full back is to defend. He's just a decent L2 full back but ginger Cafu my arse. Oh dear I'll get my tin hat ready

 

According to Whoscore.com only 4 players in the division have made more tackles per game than Brad Halliday, old school or new school I'd say that's quite good.

 

Lies, damn lies and statistics . Honestly if that is correct, and I have no reason to doubt it, other than my own apparently dodgy eyesight, then I'm staggered.

 

Please can you post a link so I can desperately look for faults in it. Where's the column for headers won?

 

I think he is as good as we are going to get at this level

 

He's a fullback FFS, not a centre back. Since when have most fullbacks, who often tend to be amongst the shortest squad members, been judged on their aerial ability? Most of us could reel off a string of fullback names who are/were dodgy in the air, and some of them have played in the PL.
He was immense on Saturday at Northampton, putting in tackle after tackle.

 

Unfortunately I didn't see Saturdays game but pleased he put in a good performance. I also thought he had a decent second half previous match.

 

Sky have chosen Tranmere v Northampton as their live match on Monday.

 

Wow they might break the 100 viewer barrier?

Ah yes Tranny need the money…The Mark Palios influence!

 

Halliday has been out most consistent player all season. With a decent foil in front of him he'll work all game. No frills, just steady.every week.

 

Northampton are 3rd place with promotion in their hands, that was always going to be the game that Sky picked. Sky's order of preference has always been automatics/play offs/relegation. Only way that game wasn't going to be on was if Hartlepool had a chance of staying up so Stockport vs Hartlepool has consequences at both ends.

 

Ashley Cole, once considered the best left back in the world. Terrible in the air.

 

Can’t agree, but hey it’s personal opinion. Sky are in the ratings game to draw in advertisers. Why pick a game that would draw in fewer viewers just because of a team may or may not finish 3rd.? I find it a strange decision tbh.

 

Funny I thought about him straightaway Dave. Liverpools pair aren't exactly too clever in the air either! Luke Shaw is garbage in the air too.

On the deck …now that’s a different story.

 

Sky have picked Stockport vs Hartlepool as well, normally they only pick 1 game but it looks like they are covering both sides and in league 1 they've also picked the 2 games that have play off chasers.

 

Halliday lacks pace which makes the difference between a good full back and an average one

 

At least that’s a choice! I shan’t be watching any I believe?

 

Yes and no. He would be excellent if he had pace as well as nouse. He anticipates which gives him a start which to some extent knocks out his need for pace. Plus his never say die attitude is what our club is all about. He has been consistent all season, he is much better with someone in front of him though.

 

So Luke Shaw, who has zero pace, can’t head a ball is below average using your analogy. Righty Ho.

Favoured full backs these days , must have an “engine” to get up and down the line, reasonable defending skills and of vital importance …. cross the ball.

The requirement to be an out and out defender, 6ft 2 tall and not go beyond the halfway line has long gone. Think about it . Football has moved on from a full back perspective.