The Voice - Match preview #1: Bradford City vs Peterborough United Saturday 15th August 2026 3:00pm

He does have pace but rarely used it yesterday. There was a time in the 2nd half where he had about 20 yards of space to run into but didn't, he stopped and played it back!! The only time he really used his pace was when he chased down the defender to deliberately leave a bit on him!!

 

We have him for 4 years on a supposedly decent wedge. I don't see another team coming in for him so might have to be put down to an error for the recruitment team.

 

He signed a 2 and a half year deal in January.

 

My bad.. I thought I read 4 years somewhere.. I thought it was excessive.

 

Not 100% onboard with the Beesley love after the game. He did ok, but I’d much prefer Powell to start based on the two games I’ve seen so far

 

We can’t really, we have to treat him like bone china. Starting him in a full game will expose him even longer to the possibility of being injured.

 

Can't believe there are people desperate for Powell to start, He would struggle to play 45 minutes. Let him have an effective 20/30 minutes and be happy with that. We looked our best when Beesley/ Pointon and Phillips were the front 3. We rarely kept the ball upfield when Powell came on, not trying to dig him; he can make an impact. But he is an impact player, not someone who plays 60/70 minutes and helps us pin a team back.

 

Powell's talent is not up for debate. His ability to stay fit unfortunately remains a big question mark, and GA will continue to manage him very carefully which is the right way forward imo. He showed glimpses at the back end of last season just what we missed, and for now it's about ensuring we keep him fit as he could be a massive impact player this season.

 

It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest to see him become a massive success this season, I'm basing my opinion based entirely on the game yesterday. I saw a mobile number 9 who put himself about, do alright with two headers but not much more. We had numerous chances and two goals in the game but he wasn't really involved in any of them other than the 2 half chances. He miscontrolled / got tackled on the few occasions he had control of the ball when squared up against their defender. I can't recall any moment in the game where he produced any real telling contribution. We inevitably took our foot off at two nil up later in the game so I wouldn't rely on that as evidence of his contribution. He did alright and I can see how he's going to become effective as a focal point. I just thought he was alright yesterday.

 

It would have been!

 

I also suspect more than a hint of sarcasm in my post...

 

I'd suggest going to watch the extended highlights then. On there, there are far more than 2 occasions alone when the ball went up to him, and we came out with the ball and created a chance (hence it making the highlights). Sorry but it's bollocks that professional teams 'take their foot off the gas', granted teams have spells but go say that to Alexander and he'd laugh his arse off. It takes a second to score a goal and had we conceded like we should have, they would have been right back in it. Coming from someone who defends Humphries a lot and thinks he contributes to loads of goals despite his goals/assists column saying different, it feels either contradictory or just contrary because of the majority opinion.

 

You're going way overboard on this in terms of judging my view of Beesley. I don't think he had a particularly good game. Not everyone is going to agree on every players performance. I think you're over estimating how critical I'm being of him mind. As for Humphrys I'd never judge a player predominantly on goal or assists stats. They don't really account accurately to make a full judgement.

 

If you came on here to get an insight as to how we got on yesterday you'd think Beesley and McCraken were on the verge on international call-up's and Jackson was a condemned man in a cell somewhere waiting for the gallows at dawn.

 

Is new signing Reece Welch injured did not make the bench yesterday?

 

I presume GA went with the experienced Joe Wright for the bench instead

 

One of the big strengths with Beasley and why it will work so well for us is his workrate that doesn't end and it's consistent. With him working so hard and competing for every ball it gives us an out ball and because he either wins the ball or at least makes it very hard for the defender to get a clean header it will give players behind him confidence to push up as they have to good chance of picking up the 2nd like we did yesterday.

There will be lots of little bits he does that are 3 or 4 passes before a chance that often get forgotten. Looking at the highlights:

• It was Beasley's clever flick on that started the move that led to Connolly hitting the bar
• Another flick on from Beasley to Jackson who set up the chance for Swan where he turned well but didn't get the right contact on the shot
• Dropped deep for a simple lay off for Jackson for the Sarcevic header that was blocked

 

Beesleys workrate, hold up play and lay offs were top notch - yes he needs a goal just to settle him but he is an asset, particularly when we can bring Powell on for the last 20 minutes against a tiring defence

Personally I think you’re in a small minority here. Another sign was often what people are saying around me doesn’t match up with what is said on here or X, but everyone was waxing lyrical about him.[/QUOTE]

 

It only counts as making something happen if it’s a lazy player like Humphries im afraid.