Most liked posts in thread: Opening Home Game vs Cambridge United Aug 3rd

I've just bought a ticket for the Cambridge game bang in the middle of the West Stand. First Bradford City game; really, really looking forward to it. Saturday can't come soon enough.

I'm actually a Newcastle United fan but feel truly depressed and hopeless about what's happened there. I can't face the thought of investing any more time, money and emotion into that club. The one I grew up adoring - which formed a massive part of my identity - doesn't exist any more. And it makes things unbearable when you're part of a fanbase that refuses to resist and stand up for itself. I get depressed when I look at the continent; the likes of Lazio and Dortmund gladly making sacrifices in the interest of the greater good, but our lot just won't, out of some faux loyalty. Ah well, I assume there's some greater societal issues forcing their way on the issue. Anyway. I shouldn't bitch.

I've been reading a fair amount about Bradford and enjoyed the news about your equivalent force of negativity leaving the place. There seems to be a decent amount of optimism, a few good players and a good manager. Plus I've always had a soft spot for the kit and for Valley Parade. Just seems like a really traditional club very much entwined with its roots; something I feel that I've lost. So here we go, Howay the Bradford.

What sort of attendance are we expecting for the weekend? There looked to be a shed load of tickets still available which surprised me, given the remarkable attendances last season in pretty dismal circumstances.

 

Thoroughly enjoyed the occasion today and will certainly be back to Valley Parade before Christmas. Really enjoyed the stadium and there was a good atmosphere, particularly coming from the Kop. The anxiety coming from the stands was certainly there at times, without it taking much for some moans and groans to burp up. Understandable, though, it's obviously been a difficult period and everyone is so desperate for things to pick up, and I was as frustrated as everyone else when they didn't capitalise on the extra man. Cambridge did a pretty tidy job of spoiling, it has to be said.

I think City will do well this year, on that basis. Might be the benefit of neutrality but I thought there was a lot of positives from a team with lots of new players and a new (iffy, limited) system. The players were gritty and dug in and knocked it about alright, just lacked width and speed of passing. There's obviously not much pace in the side but what seemed more laboured was the playing it through the lines... your man Doyle doesn't look cut out for that role in the hole.

Vaughan's overhead effort in the first half was tremendous and Donaldson was desperately close in the second. Vaughan should have done better with his chance when he robbed the defender, and Scannell snatched at one, too. On another day, two of three of them go in and it's the comfortable victory Bradford deserved.

Mellor, Richards-Everton and Donaldson all stood out for me, so too the lad wearing number 24 who came off the bench.

Overall, enjoyed the day, pity they didn't nick the goal they were worthy of. I remember the last time Newcastle went down; we lost at Fulham then at home to Huddersfield. That was bloody miserable and pessimistic, but we won the league. So, early doors, keep the faith!

 

I thought we were very comfortable on Saturday, without ever really excelling. we wouldn't have conceded had we played another hour, but we probably wouldn't have scored either.

I'm not entirely sure the 433 worked as GB intended, but not ready to throw it out just yet.
I'm also not gonna chuck Doyle under the bus yet, I'm still relatively confident he can bag a few if he keeps getting games.

I thought Vaughan and The Don were good. Richards Everton at the back was solid.
if we can improve our chance creation then we'll be fine.

plenty to build on. its early days. we'll get better.

 

Strange game.

First half I went into half time happy enough, unlucky not to score the Vaughan over head kick and controlled the game without creating much else. Defensively we were sound all game, not once did I think they’d score. Except for Doyle who I thought was garbage, all he did if fall over and break up play, but for them!

Going into the second half I thought our class would tell, but we regressed and got much worse. I actually thought we lost control of the game when Anderson went off and we went to 2 midfielders, we don’t have enough quality in there to play a 2 imo. Once Gibson went out wide he was terrible, his decision making needs improving dramatically. Scannell for all the hype was terrible in their final 3rd when it really mattered. Positive again we didn’t look threatened in the second half, don’t remember O’Donnell having a save to make all game.

No doubt we are a far superior team to them, but if we were still playing it’d be 0-0, the balance, especially second half just didn’t feel right.

Some aren’t capable judging by some comments on here but it’s also important for some perspective. I think we played far better than against Shrewsbury first game last season regardless of result, a game we could have conceded 3 or 4. Opening day often throws up results that have no baring on the season. Luton last season had 1 point from 3 games, Sheffield Untied 1 point after 4 games when they went up from league 1. Norwich losing 7-1 to Colchester and winning the league. Even us against Port Vale who went on to get relegated the season we got to Wembley, and our start in the season we were promoted to the premier league.

We still need another midfielder and winger to add more quality and options, the team also need time to gel. I’ll throw a hissy fit if the same things are happening after 10, let’s see

 

The whole annoying thing for me was the lack of chances created when they were down to 10 men.
No need to put Gibson out wide, he was doing fine in the middle.
Would have gone 3-1-4-2 once their man was sent off. Devine holding, back 3 of Mellor, Richards Everton and o Connor.
Scannell right, Longridge left with Gibson and Palmer pushed right up behind Vaughan and The Don.
We were all over the place. 5 players in a straight line sometimes.
Positives were we looked solid at the back
There's a few players who need more minutes but we will get there with a few more signings.
Reminded me of the other season under Stuart when we played Port Vale and drew 0-0.
Everyone was deflated then but after 3 or 4 games we cracked on.
I said to my mate a clean sheet and don't lose and I would be happy
Onwards and upwards

 

True Wilsden, the usual suspects are already on here throwing their toys out of the pram after just 1 match - I would like to say unbelievable but sadly its no surprise. Yes of course we should have beaten Cambridge but some of the negativity on here is frankly laughable - we do have some of the biggest whingers! GB KNOWS we need to add to the team, we all do, but its the FIRST game of the season. A number of teams in our division have had results we, and they, did not expect today.
Just had a chat with someone who knows a bit about our activity - there are a lot of things going on behind the scenes so to those who are in despair tonight, just try to keep the faith for a little longer

 

I think deflated sums it up. A big build up from last seasons debacles, a sizeable crowd and we just never really got going. Had nil nil wrote all over it from about ten minutes in when i messaged the lads in our whatsapp group saying this system won't work. We may as well have played with 10 men in the first half, as @Onside said Bowyer should have changed it at half time and taken off the ineffective and out of position Doyle. Some positives to work on but overall a disappointing day at the office.

 

Welcome to the nut house .

 

Feeling very envious at the moment, you only have to wait 6 days for a game.
13 days for me and the less than appealing, customary drubbing at home to Man City

 

Would be very unfair on Gibson that, given he has out performed Akpan in pre season both in terms of minutes played and impact on the games he has featured in.

 

FFS ifollow!!

What a load of w@nk

 

Well here goes, on the day Cambridge looked a well drilled side who weren't frightend to have a go.
Even when down to 10 men they pushed forward, and sorry to say our formation help them no end, nothing out wide although Mellor tried, left it far to long to bring a natural wide man on, and yes I keep hearing about this 4-3-3 formation but IMO we still need a wide man who can play on the left.
Not the best game to start the season but many of our problems were self inflicted.

 

Did nothing here, so based on his performances for us, not sure I agree that it is a good signing. Certainly not envious of them for signing him

 

TODAY IS THE DAY WE SHOW CAMBRIDGE AND EVERYONE ELSE THAT WE ARE LEAGUE 2 CHAMPIONS ALREADY!!!!

COME ON CITY!!!!!!!!!

 

My take from todays game is that

Positives
I am glad SR was there to see where we need strengthening.
Defence looks well organised.
We won the ball back a lot after losing possession.
Competitive across the pitch-except Anderson
Made lots of chances-with a bit of composure we could easily have won 2/3-0 today.
Donaldsons movement and hold up play nice to see
Vaughan getting stuck in
BRE looks to hit some decent passes -except THAT shot at the end

Negatives
Slow build up play
4-3-3 doesnt work with Doyle in the team
Should have gone 4-4-2 immediately after their sending off or even 3-5-2
Henley looked slow and not in tune with the game in general
Anderson isnt up to it
Palmer drifted in and out of the game.
Gibson tried but just doesn't seem to make the right pass
Palmer and Gibson both passing back/sideways when no Cambridge players were near them. Both could easily have turned and started more attacks
Why did we hardly pass to Scannell?
Fans booing in upper kop at the end of the game....jesus h christ. Get a grip.

 

If Bowyer was wanting to play someone behind V & D i'd have kept Billy Clarke FFS. And he'd have played for minimum wage and a taxi from home and back.

 

Sergio, can I just remind you of our first game in play off season 16/17. A 0-0 home draw against P Vale, turgid stuff. Keep the faith, with our squad all fit and possibly two more in we are going to be fine, I think.

 

Oh the joys of league 2!!

 

I only have to watch him once, however you had a whole season of him

 

Hey

I travel in from Keighley usually via Harden, Wilsden and down to Sandy Lane lights , straight on up to Haworth road and then down Toller lane to Oak Lane then onto Manningham Lane. I set of early ish (1pm) so it takes me about 25 mins. If I set off at say 1.45 it would easily take 45 mins+ to get to VP and get parked up. I park near the ground.

So coming from Haworth I would get to cross roads roundabout and go right up the hill past the tip on the left and then left at the lights next to the flappit pub and come through Cullingworth to Sandy Lane then Haworth road that way.

Enjoy the game and welcome to the Bantam family.