The Voice - Match preview Bradford City vs MK Dons Saturday 22nd February 3:00pm

Yes. The usual negatives who love to pick apart Alexander picks(when we've now taken 76 points from the last 39 matches) seem to forget that Johnson was bought because he can play anywhere across the backline.

Thought he was vital in the early stages when M were probing and after Sarcevic I thought he was our best player.

 

Oh. He was talked up far too much.

But as some of us so called knockers, also stated he'd get better as he got more experience and that's now happening. Everyone I know, thought his weakness was a lack of strength - which made him easy (relative to the rest of his game) to get knocked off the back.

His ability to rid tackles improves with each five matches he plays and he now looks the real deal. That's the key to his success and will mean his ceiling is unlimited.

 

Because he's got better, because of his potential. Hence, he now starts. Deservedly so. He's gone from us wondering how he'd get in the team at the start of the season - to our 'go to' player. But it was correct that GA rested him against Wimbledon - he is still more likely to be less effective against those types of teams. i.e. he's great against teams that want to play football.

But there was a time, when he was best contributing from the bench. Just because he's a firm starter now, doesn't make that view redundant.

To hear some, you'd think he should have started from the beginning of last season, when like all youngsters (i.e. Foden at Manchester City) they have to be nursed through. GA's handling of him has been exemplary. Reminds me of Jewell when he brought Blake through.

 

Mansfield fans spoke highly of him and if it hasn't been for his injury record Clough admitted he'd have kept him.

I said a few weeks ago, I think he could end up been our best defender. The calm an no-nonsene way he broke up some of the early MK attacks was impressive. It was as though, he sensed those who'd played against Birmingham would be a bit leggy at first and he was going to look after them.

Clearly a good character. Miles away from guff like Ben Richards-Everton thank goodness.

 

Smallwood was as happy as a pig in muck yesterday as he was surrounded by 10 very good players. Then Khela comes in and we looked physically better as the youngster immediately bought into the requirements of playing in a promotion chasing time.

 

It was a very good move for both us and Notts County

Notts needed a reliable 'stopper' type CB. They tend to have a side that is the most front footed in the division. A good steady eddy at the back, even if his distribution is basic, is vital to repel counter attacks.

We needed at least two good ball playing CB's (since Christmas, we've largely had three - which is why Byrne can't get a start) as us distributing the ball fast and accurate from the back is vital


That's why both clubs have two of the best defensive record in the division. But note County have (or had) one of the highest 'shots on their goal' stat in L2, >50% higher than ours - illustrating how vital someone like Platt will be to keep the number as low as possible.

https://fbref.com/en/comps/16/keepers/League-Two-Stats

Praise to both managers for me.

 

Could be he's saving Huntington for Bromley. That will be the type of match where a solid stopper is needed. I'd expect a back three of Baldwin, Huntington and Shepherd. Critchlow won't be risked and it would be daft to ask Johnson to start two matches, when we don't need, having missed half a season.

 

The change in formation from the 352 at the start of the season to the 343 now has helped Pointon a lot as it's given him a natural position in the team rather than having to learn how to play as a no 8. Playing on the LW now gives him more freedom going forward and he gets on the ball higher up so where he can take more risks. One of the issues I think Alexander had with Pointon last season and early this season is defensively he could switch off and he took too many risks in the defensive 3rd. As he plays more and matures he'll learn when to play and when not to play like all young players do.
Before the Wimbledon game he was on 2 assists in 25 league appearances which isn't great for a player in his position but since that match he's got 3 in 4.

 

This could be the closest run in for league 2 as there are so many viable contenders. IF we are to finish in the top 3 it will be down to consistency and a small slice of good fortune along the way. If we go unbeaten in April we should have done enough. Can see us just about selling out away ends for the rest of the season now.

Sars said after the game this squad has what it takes to get out of this league-he should know. There is a real togetherness and never say die attitude that we have sorely missed since the Parky era.

The roar when sars netted his second will live long in the memory. I think that was the moment when we can actually start to believe that we have something to get behind. Cracking atmosphere yesterday and plenty of actual bums on seats as well.

 

Yes. The only criticism of GA is that he should have been playing 3-4-3- as soon as he took over. We've always had the players to play that system.

 

No we couldn’t because Sarcevic wasn’t even in the squad and Pattison was hardly fit and no viable quality alternative ( Unless you are counting Gilly lol! )

 

Makes little sense to me in 'saving him'. A cameo would have surely helped him retain match sharpness. He hasnt played since Newport so that will be 11 days between games.

 

I noticed that watching the highlights, all those empty spaces from previous games that now had bodies on them. If this run carries on, then we’ll be quids in based on extra spectators.

 

Not sure but if we finish in the top 3 and those teams are 4 to 7 they could be decent to watch.

 

Don't let facts get in the way of banbrotams posts. Johnson (or insert any player that he's deemed has been criticised) has always been our best player and now he's proving it.

Especially during the 4 minute spell of pressure that MK had in the whole 90 minutes. He even managed to do loads of extra running during that period as he knew the rest of them would be tired from Tuesday.

...... and the best but of all is that he even manages to type of of that without laughing.

 

I think there's a few posts on page 10 that you haven't replied to, m8.

 

I'm not sure it's extra spectators TB. Just people with ST's now deciding to attend instead of either watching at home or finding other things to do.

 

I don’t think there is.

 

I don't see him saving Huntington but maybe he wanted to give Byrne more minutes to try and keep as many people as close to match fit as possible.

 

I kind of agree @NorthernMonkey. I think the “increased” occupancy was mainly down to ticket holders now finding it to be an attractive proposition. But I also think that the recent success will translate to extra bums on seats. I’m not sure on the numbers but yesterday’s attendance was probably a couple of thousand above season ticket sales, keep it going and it should increase more.