Match Thread Bradford City v Liverpool (U21)EFL Trophy Tuesday 5/12/2023 @ 7.30pm (with Poll)

He's actually scoring at his pre-22/23 rate currently. So, if anything he's back to his 'normal'. The biggest issue last season and pre-GA this season was that he was expected to do all the heavy lifting when it came to scoring goals.
We're now seeing more goals spread across the team which lifts the burden of responsibility on Cooky somewhat.
He's never been the most mobile or technically gifted player. But like Sir Bobby Campbell you can rely on him to get you a goal even when he doesn't play well.

 

Very true.

 

It’s not so much his scoring rate for me, that’s not too bad but at times he looks like he can’t trap wind and is stuck in mud. He’s never been quick no, but he beat a number of defenders for goals last season and atm I just couldn’t imagine him beating anyone. Plus as I say his body language looks shocking although a bit better on Tuesday. Just watch his goal celebrations for yesterday and then last Tuesday, last Tuesday he looked fed up.

 

Cut off for yellow cards is the quarter finals.

 

Zero chance.

 

Instead of losing 3-1 the mere thought of having a shot would mean we won 5-3? I jest of course but agree completely .

 

He’s a laugh at away games when we are losing. Better than the game on occassions.

 

Well by that logic everytime a striker takes a shot which the keeper saves we hear the words ‘he could have had a hatrick’ we should say no because that’s the keepers job to save shots.
Stop being pedantic, I was merely pointing out that their number 50 caused our seasons pros some problems and with a bit of luck on another night he could have scored a few goals.

 

Ball number 3 in Fridays draw.

 

It’s not pedantic at all, it’s a big part of football literally the opposite to the point you were making. Keepers pull off amazing saves and strikers miss sitters that’s why people say they could have had a hatrick. They don’t say it for a peeroller from 40 yards.

 

These weren’t pea rollers.
One was a last ditch tackle on the 6 yard box when he’s just about to pull trigger and another where Lewis just gets his fingers to the ball to prevent an easy tap in.

 

Yes Kevin last season at Colchester a good example my Essex nephew and niece were highly entertained by Charlie's antics

 

For Charlie ?.

 

Wow two near chances in a whole game, to our 4 goals, a Cook absolute sitter and 3 worldie saves. Yes we were lucky.

 

Did I say we were lucky? I didn’t. We dominated from start to finish.
I pointed out their number 50 was their outstanding player, caused a few problems and could have had a few goals.
Is any of that inaccurate?

 

But since you bring up Cook. He was shocking, frequently out muscled and out jumped by kids and that miss……wow. Thank god Oliver is fit with Jake Young to come back.

 

You said it was worrying how many times the 10 young kids sliced through us, now it’s a simple case of complimenting one player ok.

 

They defo don't count, m8.
Just like we never counted them for any of these...

 

This is just a guess but as someone else has alluded to, the pre-season was less then ideal and probably not good preparation for the actual season. I think he often finds himself blowing a bit because he hasn't had the right conditioning to be able to play at 100% all match. Maybe GA will be able to improve him through the season but we may see more rotation in the forward this season than last.

 

Yes that’s true on several occasions their 10 kids opened us up like a knife through butter.