The Voice - Match preview #18: Crewe Alexandra vs Bradford City Saturday 7th December 2024 12:30pm

I'm firmly of the view that any change in style yesterday, was all about the conditions and that we'd have played the same way with Cook in the side.

 

There is a serious lack of goals in this team with or without Cook, but we are much more likely to score enough to win a game with him in the team.

 

No, it wouldn’t.

What you are now scared of Crewe? Bloody Crewe, really?

It only turned in to a decent point due to us going down to 10 men.

We haven’t won in 5 games and now you are saying if we win next week then it would have been a good return? Really!

We have dropped 9 points and didn’t close the gap on Crewe!

Come on! Let’s increase expectations. We are a midtable side but fans really need to wake up a little.

 

Until we start seeing unbeaten runs with more wins than draws interspersed with the odd loss that we quickly bounce back to winning ways from, it will continue to be unacceptable and not good enough. Yesterday's result and performance was probably better than most of us expected, but it was only one game and we are just as likely to see a performance like Tuesday night next Saturday as we are to see one like yesterday. Some seem to think yesterday might be a turning point. I think they're going to end up disappointed. Again.

 

What bugs me FB is the lack of shooting when in good positions from the edge of the penalty area. No wonder goals are in short supply when we hardly shoot.
Our lot would rather make that extra pass/touch than have a go.

 

You’ve seen us play recently yes?

If we were flying at the top of the league then yes 2 wins would be expected.

We have absolutely stunk out the place in the last few matches before yesterday so my comment was based on the way we are playing at the moment.

You’ve completely contradicted yourself again (shock horror) by saying we should increase expectations but then admitting we are a mid table side.If we are a mid table side (i used bog standard yesterday) then a draw away and a win at home is probably slightly better than a mid table team would achieve.

It’s alright saying “increase expectations” but I have seen with my own eyes the way we are playing this season and like lots on here (including yourself) I firmly believe we are nowhere near a promotion team.
I could “increase my expectations” and expect us to win every game 3-0.

Unfortunately my expectations and yours mean nothing when the whistle blows.

 

We are still too obsessed with trying to get the ball out wide, even when in the last third, rather than driving forward through the middle when we have the opportunity

 

@Fordy117 bless his cottons seems to be of the opinion that if you just expect or demand wins regardless of reality, you're being a good supporter.

 

Yes, I have seen us play recently and we are not good.

However, what I am saying is that if we are scared or think a point at Crewe is a good result then this club is finished.

This is a poor league and fans should be demanding better. The club has lost its way massively and one of the reasons is because the fans are accepting the shite, the excuses that the club dishes out.

 

Who knows, however notice he went for Kav leading the line and not Oliver . Like him or not he’s more akin to Cook than Kavanagh would ever be.

 

I know the conditions were poor but Crewe were shocking for a side “ in with a chance” . We can only hope those coming back from injury make the same difference Baldwins return has ?
The back three were pretty good yesterday, bravo to Benn for chasing the lost cause ball and crossing for our goal . He didn’t get a mention but that was excellent . Halluday won’t get much of a game from now on?

 

GA will do his utmost to get him on the pitch. He's a solid pro but doesn't offer the same attacking options as Benn.

 

This , Huntingdon has a head on his shoulders too.

 

Kav works his socks off closing down the defenders and pulling them about. Neither Cook nor Oliver have the pace to do that. Balls are aimed centrally because of this and maybe that's why we end up with punts upfield rather than balls played into the channels.

 

That my point he didn’t select him in the 11 yesterday, so game time will be limited to cameo subs or injury/ suspension.

On current form as you say , Benn offers more and Halliday isn’t one of a back two or back three as long as the sun shines. So where does he play ? He doesn’t!

 

I don't see any reason why we can't play as we did yesterday with Cook as the lone striker rather than Kavanagh, the hard work had been done by Benn great run and pull back why wouldn't a proven striker like Cook take on the shot.

 

Undeniably right of course. Played down the channels at pace wins every time when approaching the box, very rare you see the punt nowadays. Man City don’t use Harland whatsoever for the punt and he’s fast and such a big lad .

 

The difference yesterday was Pattison arrived in the box very late , Benn gets all the plaudits for cutting it back to a late arriving midfielder. That’s how I remember it Dave? Cook is “ usually” static in the box waiting for the cross thus distracting defenders? I’m not sure Kav played any part of the goal?. Just like V Barrow, Bobby made Cooks goal, Benn made Pattison’s goal . If we get that right then there is hope?

 

That's the same as suggesting Cook has 11 I believe so because others in the team don't get their share of goals we drop Cook

So we played well because Cook was out, that's a little like me saying Cook would have put both those chances Pointon and Kavanagh had away,.
I'd hope the players yesterday had the brains to realise there was only one way to play the conditions yesterday and that was to keep the ball on the grass.

 

Go on then.
It’s Sunday,my wife’s out in Halifax on the piss,football doesn’t start on the telly for a few minutes,I’ll bite.

Every fibre in my body is saying don’t bother but it’s a forum and everybody’s opinion is valid (apparently).

I take my seat on Saturday “expecting” and “demanding” a win against a team 3rd bottom.

Unfortunately,we get beat.

What then?
Do I boo?
Do I sit in my seat,head in hands,contemplating my life choices?
Do I storm the directors box,demanding we win every game?
Do I vow to not buy a season ticket until SR and RS are nowhere near my club?

Or do I accept that I can “expect” and “demand” we win every game but it doesn’t make a jot of difference to what happens on the pitch.

For somebody who constantly belittles and ridicules other fans,you seem very short of tangible solutions to our current malaise bar shouting that we “raise expectations” and “demand better”

Over to you,oh great wise one.