The Voice - Match preview #35: Bradford City vs Leyton Orient Saturday 7th March 2026 3:00pm

I thought he was dreadful, and I’m not including the straight red card in that opinion. He totally bottled giving Koroma a second yellow card. Although I understand in today’s game why the red was given to Baldwin (even if I don’t agree with the modern interpretation) Koroma’s tackle on Tilt was actually worse - it was late, high; he got no part of the ball and he hurt Tilt, unlike Baldwin’s where their player wasn’t actually hurt, despite his play acting.
There were a long string of irrational decisions all game - in particular, blatant pushes being waved away and then minor touches being penalised. It was the most inconsistent decision making I can remember for ages.

 

Mental ref'ing in that second half. In the last half hour we had 6 yellows and a red. Scrappy game but we had the deciding quality when called upon. Got to change the away for in this next week!

I'm going to be seeing our short corner routine in my nightmares.

 

I think it ended back with Walker more than it ended up in the box.

 

Favourite consistently bad bit about that referee: had to stop the game so he could tell players where NOT to take throw ins from, then watched as they took it from the same spot anyway.

He did this over and over again. No wonder the players didn't take him seriously.

What a clown.

 

As bad a ref as I can remember and we've had some bad ones. To not send their player off first half but couldn't wait to flip.out the red for Baldwin.

 

And he did from the first minute he came on, love his shithousery never going to win the high balls wellyed up to him but he made sure the defender didn't get a full head on it, as you know that's something you develop during your career.

 

Correct, in the minority.....

 

Just takes one yellow card for that behaviour and that will usually cut that out
Sheer dumbness from the ref

 

Amazed Graham didn't get a yellow as he was giving some verbals in the ref's direction second half

 

Well that was lively wasnt it!

Thoroughly enjoyed that win. What character all the players showed today playing against 12 men.

That ranks very high on the scale of worst refereeing performances ever witnessed, and it was all one way against us.

Take a bow Humphrys today for a superb display after coming off the bench, surely he has earned a recall to the starting line up now. That ball for Sarce was sublime, the finish classily cool.

I dont think I have loved a City player as much as Sarce for a very long time. I really hope he is offered a new contract in the summer. Got to be my player of the season so far.

Very impressed with the Power/Metcalfe partnership again, particularly Power today who was immense.

Come on now lads, lets break this terrible away form up on our travels to Port Vale and Wigan next week. Minimum of 4 points and we will be well on our way to the play offs.

By the way, how on earth did Wycombe blow a 2 goal lead going into the 88th minute, amazing turn around from Bolton.

 

Just listened to him on his post match interview and he comes across as a real genuine guy, commenting about the buzz the players get from playing in front of the Valley Parade crowd, if I hadn't known it was Sarcevic I could have sworn it was Shaun Ryder from the Happy Mondays with his Manc accent.

 

That applies to a lot of the crap that has crept into football.....diving, goalkeeper timewasting....

 

And he seemed to rely on his yellow A LOT lol

 

That houndstooth polo shirt didn't hurt your eyes too much then !!

I wondered whether Koroma's first tackle on Bobby was borderline red tbh....so late, high, from behind....

 

How shit were Orient?

THAT pass from Humps-premier league standard. THAT finish again right up there.

I actually think the ref thought we were there today to watch him. It was as if he wanted to wind up the players and crowd purpose by giving completely bizarre decisions when it suited him.

Sars was clearly pushed in the build up to their only shot on target.

Their 17 should have had a second-what the hell was the lino doing when it was right in front of him.

Even when we were down to 10 we were the team doing the attacking.

Metcalfe again top drawer on a ropey pitch.

Top 2 is now probably out of reach so let's try to get some run of form and secure a solid play off spot. Then who knows??

 

I'm impressed Dave.....or are you twisting my melons man?

 

What a fantastic win that was. Hats off to all the players. Feel for Baldwin. Winning with 10 men is a great feeling though. Power & Metcalfe are immense. Humphreys wonderful ball to Sarce. Must have felt like he had hours as he honed in on goal. Perfect finish. Referee, well, I wish I could see the assessor’s report. I’ve been watching City since 1979 and I’ve given some referees some stick. I apologise to them all. This guy today was in a totally different league of uselessness. C’mon City!! What a win.

 

You Can't help but love this fella

 

If we blew a 2 goal lead from the 89th minute and lost 3-2, I think I’d have to take a month off from football. I was furious enough at losing a 1 goal lead last week.
Credit to Bolton though, clearly didn’t give up