Rochdale (A) 29th December

Our new fitness coach is working wonders?

 

Taken from their forum......

Bradford match thread on 17:20 - Dec 29 with 1953 views Shun

Bradford at Valley Parade: the worst side we’ve seen this season
Bradford at Spotland: one of the best sides we’ve seen this season

I didn’t see the Barnsley game but that was the most one-sided game I’ve seen all season by far. Bradford were completely dominant from the first minute. Our play has become so slow under Hill lately that any side that presses us will have success, and that’s what Bradford did throughout. We didn’t have a second to think and they forced us into making so many mistakes.

The only time we had any calmness to our play was the final 10 minutes when Perkins came on. I would’ve had Perkins on much sooner when it became clear how tough a game it was going to be. Also, MJW should’ve been sent off in my opinion for that tackle.

Bradford were singing about staying up. If they play like that with any regularity they’ll do a Plymouth and be challenging for the play-offs soon. Well done to them on a very deserved result.
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I was in the block furthest to the right ( as we looked on to the pitch) and I would reckon it was 33% full at best.

 

I've just got in. We was blooming good today. Early on we played to their strenghths by knocking long against two big center backs. But we learned, got down the sides of em and we turned them non stop . Losing possession we won so much from LOB and JOB .

Offensively we were excellent today. If i be honest, the scoreline flattered the Dak e

 

Been tracking your results since DH took over - good to see things are picking up.

Have known Hoppy for years, and he has a very simple footballing philosophy (remember this from a chat with him years ago) - make sure the players you have are a fit as they can possibly be, that they know what their jobs are... and that they give absolutely everything they have during games.

Reading this thread, it sounds like he's doing exactly what he did with Livingston. He got a bunch of players that were treading water, and got them really fit and working harder than any other team in the league. It wasn't always pretty to watch, but they bullied teams off the park at times... and it got them back to back promotions.

 

I wasn't too sure with DH in October when we really played badly at Gillingham and Accrington.
He is really growing on me now though, seeing how his plans are baring fruit.
I think it was his comment when he first took charge about 6 weeks we would notice a difference, a bold statement which in reality was 10-12 weeks.
I also think the 2 goal comeback in the FA cup at Posh, twinned with the 2-0 win against Oxford really gave the players some confidence tied in with their improved physical capabilities and now its come full circle for me.
We have Accrington next game and if we can dominate them and beat them, after what we saw in October, then for me the corner has been completely turned and we might be unstoppable with a few canny additions in January.

 

I wasn’t sure either. I think a lot of that came from the failure of the last 12 months and progress seemed painfully slow. For me the big change in my thoughts on Hopkin are simple. We stopped playing the aimless long ball to two strikers which did not lend itself at all to their skillset. It also negated any chance we had of seeing the best of our technically gifted players like Ball, Payne and O’Brien. Bringing in Caddis was a masterstroke.
Maikng use of the ball to feet and putting the ball down the channels rather than down the middle has transformed our play. Although its early days we are now seeing a team playing some of the best attacking play i’ve witnessed for years. Whether it lasts will depend on who goes and stays in January but at the moment Hopkin has it bang on. A lot more of the same i hope.

 

Having Payne on both left and right of the 3 behind the striker/strikers instead of in the hole is the best, him and Ball swapping over is causing teams to be pulled everywhere.

 

Pretty sure it was aimed at Fordy

 

It was either a beheading or a mauri war dance.

 

Exactly. That's why it was aimed at Fordy.

 

This.

 

Just watched the extended highlights on ifollow, and wow we were even more dominant than I remember. 10 minutes of attack after attack from us, creating some really good chances.

If someone was to bid for Payne in Jan, I'd hope either Hopkin or Rhodes would be in Stefan's ear telling him how good an investment he would be, citing Bradley Dack as a perfect example. A player having a great season in league 1 and a decent half season in the championship and suddenly relegated premier league sides are willing to pay £15m. Stefan would be able to get more than his initial investment back, not mentioning the impact Payne would have on the pitch.

 

Payne is a great example of an 'investment' - there's a pretty good chance we'd make a healthy profit if we get our timing spot on - unlike with Wyke - and let's be honest, 'pretty good' is about as good as it gets!

 

Not read all this thread so apologies if I'm repeating past posts. Reckon getting a Cullen style year loan on OB might be likely. Assuming town are in championship next year (barring a small miracle they will be) he's still probably not ready for that level but still one for the future. I'd imagine they'll recognise how he's developed at city and a deal to keep him with us for another year would suit all parties.

More concerned about hanging on to Payne. Last year of his contract and a few years older, town may look to cash in and imagine there would be a lot of league one, and potentially lower championship interest.

The fact that town switched him from Oxford to Blackburn last January gives a bit of a precedent, he was scoring goals and getting a lot of game time there.

How long Wagner stays in his position may also have a baring on the situation with both players. A new manager coming in may want to take stock of all players including loanees.

We will see how it pans out but it is crucial we pull out all the stops to keep both for the season