The Voice - Match preview #29: Bradford City vs Harrogate Town Saturday 8th February 2025 12:30pm

Hallidays final ball yesterday was pretty dreadful, three but certainly two , where we had Kav and midfield runners tearing into the box, ( carbon copies of Sarcevic’s goal) sailed way over the far edge of the penalty area. I bet they have been working on these moves, yet utterly wasted from the right yesterday.
I hope it’s not a sign of him starting to blow cold again?

 

Proper old pro's trick. He knew exactly what he was doing

 

Great goal, good first half, dull second half but who cares when it's another 3 points, another clean sheet and another win over one of our 'bogie' teams.
That said, I remain concerned about Leigh and Mellon being our only alternatives to Kav. Hopefully they will both improve with game time but so far, I'm not convinced by either of them.

 

Judging any player on yesterday’s second half performance from the 11 would tell us absolutely nothing ….. In reality we have seen around 60 mins from Mellon and probably a 120 mins from Leigh in total? I can’t call it either way yet. Read Walsall’s and Carlilse’s forum for a clue about recruitment of forwards. I believe Walsall have recruited another 4 forwards to cover Lowe and Matt…alone, yet all are “ anybodies” . They aren’t a happy bunch, yet Walsall and Carlilse do actually have serious money. That shows how difficult the winter has been for clubs wanting the
“ experienced” front man? I’m happy to wait just yet.

 

Not sure what your point is Kev, I said hopefully they will both improve with game time.

 

My point is I agree with you, it’s too early to tell. I thought that was the point of your comment?

 

Fair enough,I must have misunderstood. Too much burgundy last night!

 

Gin….please
The red stuff gives me a hangover, especially when you drink it like pop

 

I reckon Leigh starts against Accy on Tuesday but yeah I'm in the same boat, neither are really looking like answer. But we've only seen snippets of Leigh and Mellon, they might come good but they need minutes.

My fear of have 3 inexperienced strikers was that they don't know when and where to move in the final third. They don't have that instinctive run into the penalty spot or know when to play off the defender. The amount of times we broke forward in the first half and Kav ran wide for the pass was annoying. We whipped at last 3 or 4 crosses with nobody in the box. Same happened a few times in the second with neither Mellon or Leigh in the box. I know we have a fluid team, but the midfield are so busy, the striker needs to give them something to aim at, rather than adding another runner.

 

I actually think if Mellon is given a couple of games run (especially if Kav is out) we will see him totally differently as we do now. I thought yesterday there were little glimpses of what he could do, the couple of nice flicks and one touch football trying to bring others into play (mainly Leigh ) looked promising unfortunately there needs to be a better understanding for it to come off but definitely can be worked on.

As I said yesterday I wouldn't be surprised to see a few changes against Accy keep everyone fresh.

 

Yeah, it does me too these but every so often, I have another go to see if I've grown out of it.
I haven't

 

Smallwoods inability to beat the first man at the majority of corners and free kicks is criminal.
The few times he does beat them the ball flys over everyone and ends up out of play.

 

Problem with people’s opinion of Smallwood is that they dwell too much on the past, recently he has been excellent since he started getting support from other players.

 

Come on a bit to soon to be pulling up strikers who have hardly had any real game time isnt it ?????
I will judge when either has had a run of games.

Still who cares its another win against a team that regard us as there cup final.............take these sorts of results all season just to get out of this piss poor league ..............

 

Agree with that but he shouldnt be still on dead ball duty we all know the majority of times it will belt the first man or go straight out of play ..............

 

We still hoofed for 3/4s of that game Andy, it was just in-between we played some excellent stuff.

 

I am a bit worried that we were only 1 goal up at half time. Harrogate were chasing shadows in that first half yet we failed to capitalise and were left in a vulnerable position during our poor showing later on.

 

I've not seen Mellon play other than his brief appearances for us, but from what I understand he is the only proper striker of the 3, so would be good to get some game time into his and see what he can do

 

I agree.

Leigh has had two full games and two part games to show what he can do. Mellon needs the same opportunity. So far he's only played bits and bobs and starting a game is very different to coming on part way through a second half when the game is already in a pattern of play. Would like to see him starting on Tuesday but I suspect Alexander will go for Leigh again as he has chosen him above Mellon every time so far.