Preseason lack of goals anything to worry about

So 10 goals from 7.5 games? Average of 4 goals every 3 games. If we could up it to 5 in 3 it would be roughly same as Lincoln last year.

 

Two penalties was it?

 

I think once we get a settled 11/14, the goals will come. We have real experience at the top, I still think we need a ball carrying midfielder, but I am hopeful we can get one of those soon. If not, we will have to hope our current players can step up to the plate.

 

Five penalties I think so far. 2 v brighouse, 1 v Liverpool, 1 v wigan and another 1 v rochdale

 

If after 6/7 league games we aren’t scoring from open play then yes worry, friendlies where you don’t often play your full strength team for 90 minutes nah.

 

We’ve played three games against opposition from a higher league including the European champions.
Playing a side that has chopped and changed.
I’m not too worried by what we’ve done so far, but do think we might lack goals from midfield.

 

One thing about the penalties gained, is that our strikers, Donaldson in particular, have been getting into dangerous positions to draw the fouls.

 

Worry about? No. Consider whether it demonstrates the need to strengthen our midfield and left wing? Absolutely. We need a couple more with real quality to give our forwards the ammunition to fill their boots.

 

Correction - we didn’t play the European Champions.

 

If we weren't getting into the opponents penalty area we wouldn't be getting penalties.
From what i've seen of the pre season we seem to be playing some good football going forward and we should create chances.
It's not long since we went nearly all season without winning a penalty.
I hope we win a penalty every game this season.

 

If Doyle stays and we do that, he's going to score a ton

 

I think it's going to be interesting to say the least to say what Donaldson, Vaughan and Scannell can produce in terms of goals.

In terms of 'big' players, no team will have a more reputable front three.

But that means nothing if they don't work well together and actually put the ball in the back of the net - and they certainly haven't been free scoring in preseason.

Part of me worries they just won't kick on and tear teams apart... Because if they don't, we're pretty much relying on set pieces to eek out 1-0 wins. Our midfield had nothing, and is our defence really that tight?

At the moment, I'm thinking more scraping into the play offs than automatic promotion.

That's not a negative or a problem for me either, it is what it is.

 

If we play Vaughan and Donaldson up top with Scannell out side right of left we will carry a big goal threat at this level, especially with Doyle on the bench or even playing just behind the front two.
I know a lot of forum contributors here are still not happy with Doyle, and I respect their opinion but my personal view is that we need to get away from judging players on last season's shambles and have some faith in Gary Bowyer. If he feels a player is worth a place in the starting eleven or on the bench they will have my support, until they start letting us down or not pulling their weight.
Although it pains me to say that even includes Anthony O' Connor.

 

Ditto, for me Jon.

We've no evidence, yet - On what will become of this new City look. After about 10 games, we should do. However, to develop any understanding and fluidity to our play, will include a settled team most games. IF GB plays it game by game, and constantly tinkers with formations, then I will worry somewhat, as the personnel will also change a little too ? That being the case, where does the settled side come from ? Fringe players being fully involved with team training will be key to this ...... Everyone should have the same hymn sheet, and be singing in harmony.

 

Agree with your sentiment to be honest, but applying only logic, how can we say Bowyer feels some of last season's players deserve to play a part?

He hasn't offered them new deals or rejected any offers that we know of, so he might not feel Doyle or O'Connor deserve to be in a Bradford City first 16, but what choice does he have?

 

Everything points to a lack of creative and goals from midfield for me.

Until we address that by signing a player to solve that problem we won't be able to rest.

 

Would be a lot more worrying if we weren’t creating anything, we are. With the forward we have got the goals will come

 

I think we also need to be mindful of the calibre of oponents. The first team squad has predominantly been up against higher league opposition and done well. When playing non-league opposition the GB has generally gone with trialists and fringe players.

With the above in mind I think it's difficult to judge right now. But we should go into the season with confidence as we have caused the higher league teams problems. It would have been interesting to see what the final score would have been against Rochdale had it not been for the weather.

 

Yes even with very little of the ball against Liverpool we had chances