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

No arguement just opinions, I didn't find it such a shock that we beat them, the exiting part of yesterday's performance was just how easy it was, so It don't think anyone is over egging it just happy after seeing us go from a team that you weren't sure who'd turn up to a team you can see are going to be difficult to beat going forward, Tuesday is a big game no matter where Morecambe sit in the league.

 

As an aside, that ball from Khela that almost led to him scoring was superb.

 

Pattison isn't a centre forward, that's just not the case. He's not even a number 10. He scores his goals because he runs from deep, his powerful running is what causes the issues and he can't do that as effectively if he's further forward.

To play devil's advocate though, you keep saying why pick Melon on the bench. Who would you have picked instead that would offer more benefit? I'm not trying to discredit your opinion, I just don't see the issue of having two strikers on the bench when we have 7 options amongst the subs.

 

Bang on Dave. As for some fans saying pressing and chasing down balls and defenders isn't Andy Cook's game, I find that quite amusing. Quite a few of Cooky's goals have come just like that. Goals at Gillingham away, Mansfield away and a couple at Hartlepool spring to mind, the service to him hasn't always been the best but he still finds ways to score.
Not of it matters, he isn't available now so let's just enjoy the ride.

 

It's only something we can give our opinions on as we'll not know until at the earliest next season so really no point in anyone suggesting were better or worse with Andy Cook in the team. The one thing no one can disagree with is the fact goal scoring wise we have relied far to much on his contributions over the time he's been at Valley Parade.

 

I didn't say he's a centre forward I was replying to your scenario with regards losing Kavanagh and Leigh as you well know.
It's irrelevant who I would have picked the situation we had was Alexander thought Mellon was capable of being on the bench so assuming he could play the position we needed filling when Kavanagh who was blowing out of his arse after giving 100% instead of Leigh who also isn't a centre forward, if Kavanagh had been injured early in the game then of course I wouldn't have been of the same opinion asking Mellon to play 45 minutes plus but Id have thought 20 minutes was an ideal situation to give him game time, I can't be more specific.

 

Who cares how we win , or who’s in the team when we win
The important thing Is that we do win
Lets enjoy our current form why it lasts and hope it lasts long enough to get us out of this league
The fact the football is currently far more entertaining makes it even better

 

Nowt against the lad Matt but I had a "little" well "big" smile on my face when he looked like he would be unable to continue yesterday, as I posted down at their place he was a bloody handful and doing what good centre forwards do unlike Oliver win free kicks from 50/50 challenges.

 

Your correct unfortunately when we win some of the doom mongers can't criticise the manager or players so the focus has to be put elsewhere, unfortunately it seems Andy Cook is now the fall guy who couldn't play in that set up, complete tosh IMO.
Even without Cook we played our fair share of high balls to Kavanagh a big ask against a 6'3" McEntee but he kept battling away.

 

You're right about the high balls. We probably played as many as we have all season. I hope we carry on with the same approach.

 

I was going to mention Khela. I thought he looked very promising in the short time he had to make an impression.

 

You're mentioned on their forum Gaz!!!

 

The particular poster was more bothered about coming on here trying to bait people over Rupp rather than praising our best performance in years, come on mate you’re a sensible poster we know the usual suspects who lack football intelligence on here.

 

We said a similar thing, that it looked like we were kicking for territory like in rugby!!

 

I just want out of this league I don't care how we do it, I'd love to continue with the way we played yesterday for sure a real lift beating the form team of both EPL and the EFL it felt a bit like the old Parky days when Valley Parade was buzzing most home games.
Once again we have to continue our home form on Tuesday night, maybe Mellon will get a bit of game time and the chance to put one over his old gaffer and the guy who seems to be our achilles Uncle Derek.

 

I hope your not suggesting my BBU bet with @Rogered Tart is a lack of football knowledge .

 

A few years ago we played a team whose goalkeeper did precisely that, can't remember who it was. At first we all laughed but when it continued we realised he was doing it on purpose. I wondered myself yesterday if we were doing the same or if the passes were just misplaced. We also just played the ball into space with no one there a couple of times too. Whether it was intentional or not it certainly had the effect of getting us up the pitch where we could press high up.

 

Baldwin did it a couple of times first half but I actually like the thought process. The ball was down the channel, if the chaser got there it gives team mates down field if it goes into touch we set up well in the oppostions half. Like a 40/20.in rugby league.

 

There's definitely a time and a place for it. Better to concede a throw 3/4 the way up the pitched than get pressed further and further back and concede in our own half (as happened frequently under Hughes). That said it does still frustrate me the times when it is obvious our only out ball is down the line yet our forwards don't make that run.