The Voice - Match preview #24: Blackpool vs Bradford City Sunday 4th January 2026 3:00pm

Wonder if G.A will think about resting Power next week, to ensure he’s available for Cardiff and Huddersfield after avoiding a tenth booking today?

 

Sure, but the point is mostly the same. However, my feeling is that some posters are so devoted to an opinion that they are blind to evidence to the contrary or the truth that players are doing what their manager / the team wants rather than acknowledging that times have changed and they are stuck in a past that will probably never return.

 

He still has a long way to avoid getting a ban for 10 yellow cards as the deadline is game 37 so even if you rest him against Rotherham he could get one against Cardiff then miss Huddersfield and Lincoln.

 

Wright plays because we only have an option between him and Touray with Richards being injured. When Touray plays at LWB, Wright should only make the bench if that. He is one of the players we definitely need to upgrade because he offers very little in an attacking sense. We can and should be be looking to strengthen the attacking areas of which he falls into. He’s probably the lowest contributor in that whole group.

 

Got to play i know Rotherham are in shocking form but thats the type of game we tend to screw up in ............ we should have a couple in before the Cardiff game anyhow.............

 

Tyreik plays like a man short on confidence a lot of the time. He has the tools to ruin teams, I just wish he’d have more confidence in himself.

first time he was here we used him as a second striker and he knew where the net was.

seems weird to think his attacking play now gets criticised.

 

It’s weird. He was regularly ripping defenders a new one and banging goals in during that first loan spell with us. Our season went to pieces when he was recalled. But he just doesn’t have that level of threat or consistency now. He’s had a few decent games this season but takes the easy pass back option far too often instead of running at defenders like he used to.

 

Brilliant video at the end, great to see the players (and CL) enjoying themselves with the fans - 9pts over Festive Period, top notch

 

A much improved performance from that against Mansfield

Backline was fantastic. Baldwin with a great goal. Tilt MOTM, Metcalfe shortly behind.

Probably Swan’s best performance for us. Having him and Neufville in the team just makes us so more effective. We can press high and have the energy and speed to attack teams from the get go

I do think there is a player in Kav, the unfortunate thing is he’s very similar to Swan, and Swan is a level above to him. A loan to a League Two team would make sense. Hes also not a 10 and never will be, too many attacks failed because he didnt know what to do with the ball

As for T Wright, yes, he can do a job at LWB but should realistically only be a backup. He’s lost the confidence to take people on along with a yard of pace, I dont see that coming back as he ages so it would make sense to bring in another 10, who has got a bit of pace and trickery about them

 

I don't want this to seem like a tirade against Wright, but he continually disappoints. He finds himself is some great positions to hurt the opposition and just doesn't deliver. Every so often he wakes up and has a go but nowhere near often enough. You just said he is equally comfortable at RWB or on the right of attack....I take it you didn't watch the Mansfield match?

For me, wherever he plays (and he's supposed to be a winger) he doesn't do enough in attack. Both Richards and Touray are more inclined to take their man on. I am willing to accept however that with current injuries and lack of leftside options he maybe just scrapes into the team.

 

Perhaps to do with a lack of end productivity.

Again, due to his lack of tenacity and physicality

 

Just got back home to Wakefield after going to the game.

First thing to note is that it was a much better performance - almost back to our old selves. Sarcevic, Tilt and Baldwin made a massive difference.

Touray looked great in the back three, and it was good to have Neufville back after his spell out of the team.

Swan had a good game - full of running and pressing, and he really deserved his goal. Kavanagh did a lot better than he did at Mansfield and with a run of games we might see him back to the player we had last year. The guy is only 22, and we don't really want to be giving up on him just yet.

Tyreik was poor again I thought unfortunately - he just seemed to lack the conviction and belief to get past his man. For me he's the next one that should be rested.

Subs didn't do much, but I was particularly disappointed that Humphrys didn't see to want to close his man down on a few occasions - he was fresh on the pitch and should have showed more desire in my view.

Overall a satisfying day when I wasn't expecting much and wondered why I was heading over the Pennines in the freezing cold. 3 wins out of 4 over the festive period is an excellent return and I think we'd have all taken that if we were asked.

 

Unfortunately the same names keep cropping up for criticism
That’s not through choice
It’s what happens when these continually get picked for the team
Players have ceilings and will do a job beneath that level
These guys aren’t just having an odd bad game, it highlights their skill levels
That said , it doesn’t take away what they did for us or the effort they may put in

 

And look who bottom of the table, our next opponents at Valley Parade.

 

Not completely at the bottom but near enough. I am just hoping they don't sack Hamshaw before Saturday.

 

Now you have done it mate

 

Exactly what I said in earlier posts
Sentiment unfortunately has no place in football
You can not stand still and must look to improve where you can
Some players could improve some won’t
Yes they have done a job for us, but if we are serious about promotion, upgrades are needed for some

 

Yep.
Great timing is that win

 

Is it possible players don't kick on?

I mean I have only seen him once which was today but Scott banks was on the opposite flank to him in our team and he was equally as bad today and just as inept at defending

 

Much better today.
Swann back to his old self.
Signs of Neufville, defensively at least returning.
Attack wise he was still short but his sprint back to cover at CB was outstanding and might have saved a goal.
Touray, Baldwin, Sarc and Swann all motm candidates though CT got it.