The Voice - Match preview #42: Bradford City vs Stevenage Saturday 11th April 2026 3:00pm

Like the one we scored from just 6 days ago…..? Riiiiiiight .

 

Yet in the top four. Riiight .

 

Just out of interest… what’s happened to the team spirit? You seem to suggest losing 2 players who weren’t playing has derailed the camaraderie in the squad?

 

Saved me there, it wasn’t printable anyways.

 

Yes, he didn’t make the most of his opportunity, but I thought they did a job on us and can see why they are in with a chance. A team of giants who just launch it and use the dark arts. I’m hoping next week we are back to football again. A difficult team to play against.

 

We’re all doomed we lost a home game, beaten by a team that plays negative football.
Bet the championship can’t wait to see the likes of Stevenage and their massive support

 

Was it just me or did the ball seem to be in touch for about 80% of the match before the last 10 minutes. A horrible game.

 

Yep, I see nothing wrong with the way Stevenage play to be honest and it’s brought them some relative success. I wouldn’t want to watch it myself week in week out but then again Lincoln have a very direct style and they’ve been brilliant.
They win all their games one nil and haven’t won a game by more than one goal since beating Stockport in December. They did a job on us today and that’s football. We don’t have any given right to win football games because we deem our style to be more attractive especially considering that GA likes his fair share of hoof ball.

 

We have played into their hands but it was hardly deserved

 

So, not only did we have to watch and suffer that garbage today (cheers ref) but there is a good chance of meeting them in the playoffs
Brilliant, bet you cannot wait for more anti-football

 

Put ourselves under a bit of pressure, we are going to need another few points so a win or so is imperative at some point.

Losing pointon was a massive loss, first five minutes we were quick and snappy with passes then we reverted to just launching it into space for the rest of the game.

Felt the Lapslie sub was a mistake, unsurprisingly offered nothing. Another example of Alexander introducing someone who has been nowhere near and yet expecting them to fit right in. It doesn't work

 

Absolutely awful game of football.

2 decent saves from their keeper at the end but their back four will be pissing themselves that we played like we did
They haven’t got the 2nd best goals against record for nothing

 

No wonder they don't turn up at their own stadium watching this shittery week in week out.

 

Magically we showed some urgency when they went a gosl up why oh why not the same from the first minute ????? We all knew what was coming with this lot so why did the players and the manager get sucked into it ?????

 

We were poor today but we knew exactly how Stevenage would set up and they did as expected, very physical at times I thought it was Wigan, the referee was weak, everyone bar him knew exactly what Stevenage were doing stop/start our momentum waste time and did nothing about it, he keep gesturing to Power "I'll add the time" pointing to his wrist watch but that is not the point, an early yellow I believe would have Stevenage think before they continued doing it.
Having said that I don't blame the referee for our loss that was in the hands of our manager, I said at the time when Bobby went off and saw Jacko was warming up I thought it was an easy call push Humphrys into Bobby role and bring Jacko on, oh no he brings Lapslie on and leaves Humphrys as the striker, then to cap it all Stevenage score and he brings Jacko on and Lapslie comes off, baffling ?.
He actually said in his post match interview last week when speaking to Humphrys if he didn't want to play the role then he had tough competition for the number 10 role ?.
I still think we're nailed on for a play off place but today was the day to make a big statement and we let Stevenage pull their usual stunt long throw into the box and failed to defend it, Bobby was a big miss when he went off but Alexander has to look at himself today.
Having said that I'm with you @Kevin1954 I think we would go through if we were paired against Stevenage in the play offs.

 

Totally agree with this. Stevenage know what their strengths are and they play to them, they came with the plan of defending well, keep the game scrappy and play for set pieces knowing they are a big threat from them and the plan worked perfect. When they needed a bit of individual quality they got it from their keeper with 2 top saves.

You've got to give them credit for being as disciplined as they are, having the success they are getting and looking good for the play offs. Earlier this year they looked like they were collapsing but have turned it around.

We've just got to move on from it as we are in a very good position and still a good chance of getting a top 4 finish.

 

Exactly. Seen people saying anti football comments aimed at Stevenage on here this afternoon. Are they suggesting that’s why we didn’t win?
Our best two chances game from lumping it into the box and the disallowed goal came from a massive punt from defence.
We hardly play like Brazil.

 

I've not heard Alexander post match interview did he mention why Ashby wasn't even on the bench, the kid had a decent game last Saturday assisting with the goal.

 

Pre match he said he had picked up a strain. He was subbed due to injury at the end of the Wycombe game.

 

Cant imagine anyone will want Stevenage in the play offs (if they get there). Frustrating team who are so well drilled at what they do.

Feels like we've had a fair few games this season that ended up similarly to today. In that a team just knowing how to frustrate as well as creating little, but really showing that we dont really have a good plan B either to break sides like that down.