The Voice - Match preview #40: Bradford City vs Northampton Town Friday 3rd April 2026 3:00pm

I can only add that 3 points was the be all and end all today. It wasn't the best of games but I enjoyed large parts of it and on another day we could easily have had more goals. I still don't know how Metcalfe failed to score in the second half for example. I thought the ref was very good but he got the Metcalfe tackle and booking completely wrong. The only real downsides for me were that defensively we got away with a few and Wheatley really is very poor.

 

Good. I’m consistent

 

Agree Dratsab, some revealing stuff there. Someone's telling porkies re Humps being a striker!

 

I don't think he said anything that was bad, it was very honest and the only person he was negative about was himself. There's nothing he said in that which Alexander won't already know about it, I don't think he would need to hear Humphrys to say he doesn't enjoy all of the running to know what. I can't imagine there are many players around that love running the channels etc like he says. Strikers and attackers by nature are selfish and their enjoyment is scoring but what separates the top players from the average ones is often the workrate and mental side.

 

could have easily been 2 nil down in the first 10 minutes.

 

We're 4th, 7 points clear of 7th with just 6 games to go and more or less maintained around a 6 point gap for months now.

The club certainly won't feel like we're just falling over the line so I'm not sure why you do.

 

They were close to scoring an early goal, so were we.

 

Especially when the puppies don’t win eh?

 

Yet we could have had four in the next 80?

 

Another home win and a step closer but wanted to see if others noticed the atmosphere today

We need to get the atmosphere section sorted. The crowd was so flat today. 4th in the league and the incredible home record and yet the default setting is radio silence until something happens and then it drops again. Not sure what the answer is but club needs to look into it. It works both ways of course, game jeers the fans up but the players would surely benefit more if we roared them on from the start

 

Cant disagree Dave 3 points today are as important as any win so far this season probably more so as it put us back to winning ways and hopefully boosted player confidence and again you get he same number of points for a 1-0 win as a 6-0 hammering however winning by the odd goal when protecting an auto place is fine I do think we needed a big win/polished performance to rebuild confidence kick start much needed momentum for the play offs both Stockport and Bolton had morale boosting wins against fellow play off contenders and whoever gets the final play off place will end the season on a high whilst we scraped a 1-0 win over relegation candidates Still time yet to put a run together and end the regular season on a high but our lack of goals and inability to recover from going a goal down are a concern for a tough 3 (hopefully) game end to the season

 

A big win would have been nice, but let's look at Stevenage who faced the equally poor Rotherham and were held to a 0-0.

Our 5 point gap became 7 despite the fact we both played teams we absolutely had to (and should) beat.

Of course sides like Stevenage might not be the challenge come the playoffs, but let's get to the playoffs first - then we can worry about the big hitters who seem to be able to score far more than we can.

 

Think play offs are well within our reach now and we should start building for the inevitable battle against the "big hitters"

 

I hope so, mate, but we've got some nasty fixtures remaining, at least 4 of them being direct rivals some of whom must beat us - I don't think it's going to be easy, even at home, from hereon in.

We should still do it though.

 

Now your stupid insult has been removed I will respond accordingley.

Happy to pay up as required.

 

I'm a little concerned by the form of Metcalf who again was caught on the ball which nearly ended up with us conceding a goal. When he's on it he's brilliant but I haven't seen that for a few games. I had hoped the mini break might have given him a boost, but he returned to pretty similar form of recent games. I hope he gets back to his best because he's a key player for us.

 

It was as I expected. Disjointed performance with lots of players 5/6 out of 10. We are very predictable in our approach with not only the diagonal balls, but also the overlaps down the sides and pretty triangles near the corner flag. Unfortunately when the ball does come into the box we don't have that clinical finisher on the pitch. Stockport and Bolton have found their scoring boots and will definitely be tough opponents if we get there. Yesterday wasn't a nervy game, as I thought we looked comfortable for the most part. The issue is scoring goals. The return of Jackson can't come quick enough for me, as he lead the line so well in the few appearances before his injury. His play will hopefully bring the best out of Bobby and Sarce.

 

This highlights to me what I've seen from him all season. A player who plays for the betterment of himself and not the team. How many times have we seen him hold onto the ball too long or shoot when others are in a better position? Admitting to secretly hoping we didn't score another so he'd take the glory. Really? Is that a team player? He's never been a true goalscorer so he'd be better off focusing on being the provider (like the ball to Jenson and the goal for Sarcevic previously). He reminds of the kid in the playground who occasionally scores a worldie, but then again he's the only one shooting. Unless he wants to commit to being a team player, I can't see him playing any higher. Cookie might have been selfish at times, but he put the ball in the net more times than not. Humphrys has the physical, but does he have the mental attributes to be a better all round player? I'm not so sure.

 

The change for Evans was the right decision. I didn’t think Metcalfe was bad, just not the high standards he’s set himself through his fantastic season so far. He’s incredibly important for us, so not doing the full 90 ahead of Monday wasn’t a bad thing either.

Thought we missed Tyriek yesterday - hope is injury is as minor as reported. Bower commented on the minutes the likes of Sarce is also getting. We talk of ‘finishing teams off’ which is what we should have yesterday. The added benefit been players like Sarce can be subbed earlier which would be preferable this time in the season.