The Voice - Match preview #26: Bradford City vs Walsall Saturday 25th January 12:30pm

We're miles better WITHOUT Cook.

 

You know the answer.
A lot of supporters couldn't see what our current team could provide without Cook and there has been trepidation for a long time about him been out.
The return of Patto has really pushed us on to another level and having Kav central being a menace creates the press the rest follow.
Modern day football at it's best.
You can't do this with an old fashioned centre forward.

 

Looks like we will end the weekend inside the play off spots for the first time since late October

 

Players who get nose bleeds need not show up on Tuesday.

Strong characters only.

 

I always think that if you are going to be a successful side you need bits of luck along the season, sometimes it can be the timings of when you play teams like we've had in recent home games with Port Vale out of form, Chesterfield in an injury crisis and Walsall today recenly losing Lowe, losing Matt to injury and missing Jamie Jellis with illness. In previous seasons we've had opportunities like that but we've not taken them. I think this season a lot of it has come from the manager and having players that know what it takes and recognising the big opportunities but knowing you've got to earn it.

 

Apart from the Doncaster win a good day all round as George Formby would say "Turned out nice again"


Be afraid be very afraid @Rogered Tart .

 

Results elsewhere have ended very favourably for us and we are now 2 points off 2nd with a game in hand. You could say today had been our Carlsberg Saturday.

 

The funniest thing is that GA never would have dropped Cook and why would he, but his hand was forced, had to try a new formation and is now being seen as some kind of messiah.
Truth is he’s the same shit manager he was after the 3-0 battering at Notts County,

 

Apart from the penalty save did Walker have a shot to save of any note in open play? I can't remember if so.

 

In all fairness they should be turned off if anyone gets a penalty at that end. Must be very off putting. Can't remember seeing them behind the goal like that on any other ground, not so near the pitch anyway.

 

Kavanagh isn't the tallest but is playing the nuisance role up front very well, he is being very unselfish as a striker such as his pass through a defenders legs to set Sarc up - a real team player.

Returning players esp Sarc and Patto are making a big difference to results.

Patto - best attacking midfielder in L2?

 

Don't piss on yer 'ands in the first place mate ......

 

Yes he's only on 33 appearances. He's missed a lot of time out with injury since he joined.

 

In commentary, Morais compared him to Paul Dickov. Not prolific, but a real nuisance that makes things happen. I thought it was a really good comparison.

Morais is an excellent commentator, so much more insightful and articulate than Kiwomya.

 

He has got himself a revitalised midfield that has gelled and is controlling games, aided by a solid defence and a willing striker up front.

He will be a messiah if the team keep this up!

 

This was for one of my best mates dad, lifelong city fan who passed away unexpectedly on Monday.

All his family were there today, it was a lovely tribute and I was gutted when they got a penalty just before the 65th minute, you couldn’t write what happened next. RIP Danny you were a top bloke!

Amazing result, something seems to be clicking in the way Alexander wants to play. We will always miss Cookies goals but this set up is working. Smallwood in his natural position was a beast today and is the player we thought we’d signed a couple of seasons ago. The front 4 of Bobby, Sarc, Patto and Kav seem to have an understanding of their roles and all work well when Halliday (loved his reception when he came off btw) and Richards push forward.

Defensively we looked fine, for a team top of the table their confidence looked shot to pieces, their subs made a bit of difference but we managed the game well.

Something feels a bit different, can’t put my finger on it.

Onwards to Tuesday.

 

I believe its more to do with Pattison, Sarcevic and Smallwood controlling midfield and helping out with goals than the fact that Cook is out injured but of course we'll never know with regards how we would have performed with these lads and Cook playing in the same starting 11, I was delighted the "old fashioned centre forward" for Walsall went off early because he's very much been a vital part of Walsall's great run this season.

 

I dont know if its tactics and playing quite compact but if he doesn't win the header it seems midfield are on hand to pick it up anyway.

Still wouldn't mid another striker in the building with a bit more height and experience.

 

Pattison had a bad injury record at every club apart from Harrogate. Think he had a really bad leg injury in his youth days at Boro, ankle break and hamstring issues from memory. His ankle was an issue again at Yeovil, looks like he's had hamstring issues at every club too. Hamstring, back and ankle at Wycombe. If I remember his Harrogate spell, he would play 5 or 6 and then miss a squad. Or of the game was done he'd go off with 20 to go to save him. He missed like 10/15 L2 games in 2 seasons at Harrogate without really having any injury scares.

As the last few weeks have shown, when Pattison is on it, he is one of the best in this division and could well be a top player in the one above. To be honest, I think someone has had a word or maybe he has to himself. Because until his recent comeback, even when he played for us he didn't look like this box to box menace. He looked tidy without being a threat. But since that Stockport game, he looks like he's playing with no fear. He's committed to every sprint regardless of where it is on the pitch or what minute. I wonder if his mentality is now to just play without fear and if you get a knock you get a knock but put your best out and play without worry.

 

Who Matt??
Lowe has been pivitol not Matt.