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

Maybe just me and @Doodle but I just don't get the negativity. Yes it's a gruelling schedule but hopefully they haven't been worked too hard in training this week. Striker aside we've got the strongest squad we've had in years and I think we can easily give one or two a bit of a rest on the bench and still have enough.

 

That nose made him looked like a weather beaten hairy old centre back…… !

 

The negativity is led by the thought they would be knackered , I’m not down about the game whatsoever tbh.

 

Well like everyone else I saw the fatigue on Tuesday. We are talking about professional footballers who are normally fit.

I notice that we use data from the footballers to determine how recovered they are. I am inclined to go with Tuesday’s midfield injuries permitting and let them see if they can score a couple and get us in front then switch.

Psychologically, I think they will be ok. They know the fans are right behind them, and we are at home. I might be worried if we were away.

The main aim all season has been promotion, no distractions and now we can just focus on the league.

 

They seem to be having the same issue as us upfront in that they aren't scoring many (5 in their last 6 league games, 6 in our last 6). Where they differ is they are letting more in (7 in their last 6 in contrast to our 1 in the last 6). Hopefully that bodes well if we can remain strong at the back, as 1 might be enough win it.

 

It probably won’t be the last ?

 

Test of character tomorrow let’s hope we can rise to it

 

The great thing is is that, despite injuries, we could play an entirely new 11 which, IMO, is easily still good enough to beat most in this league.

Hilton

Johnson - Byrne - Huntington

Benn - Khela - Lapslie - Adaramola

Leigh - Oduor

Mellon / Kavanagh

Trust in GA to make the right changes needed. Would love to play all the regular starters but it is more important that those who start are 100% and fully up for the game.

 

Their forum .

They seem to have all, to a man now lost that “ entitled, arrogant” air they once had.

One even suggests their stadium is a “ white elephant”


ReturnofMoo wrote:
MKAylesburyDon wrote:
“
Bradford are away at Birmingham tonight in the EfL Trophy semi final, I imagine they will play a strongish team with Wembley so close, does that help us for the weekend? I'd say probably but also not enough, even if they have a tough game tonight I expect they will have more than enough left for taking us on.


A good counter attacking goal by Bradford, with an excellent cross from Sarcevic and goal by Pointon

I fear for Lemonheigh-Evans after watching Bradford last night and we will miss Williams. A midfield of Crowley and Kelly will be seriously out muscled, while I wonder if KTS can step up. We really need to put in an outstanding prrformance to get anything from the game. Perhaps Lindsey will consider wing backs again and to put Lemonheigh-Evans in midfield.”

That’s pretty mild compared to some!

 

After Tuesday nights great effort there is no way Alexander and the conditioning guys will have those who played doing full out training they are match fit, I would think they are going through set piece routines etc but I very much doubt they will be going hell for leather.

 

A plan, that's what we need.

 

Nice positivity but not sure about that lol

Think that XI understandably struggles in this division.

 

What's happened to Oduor? Has he been injured? I know he splits opinion but the system and style we've adopted seems to be one that would suit him.

 

He's waaaaaay down the pecking order now - think that last JPT game against the kids where he was the only player who did nothing was the final curtain for him

 

He warmed up on the pitch on Tues , so he’s still about. Wouldn’t pick him though…!

 

It's not far off, maybe a couple of players short. Put Smallwood back in for Lapslie, any 1 of our usual CBs for Byrne and switch Oduor out and that is still a strong team. I doubt you will find another team in the league with that much depth

 

I think we'll have enough.

Fact is it will be hard to not limp over the line during the next four matches - simply because of all the games we've played.

I'm unconvinced that even if we had Cookie, it would make a difference - as playing twice a week catches up with every player.

 

Oduor scored the late equaliser at Barrow - which if you think about it, turned out to be quite a moral booster in the end.

Yes, he's nowhere near the first team - because that squad is so good. However, he'd have been an outstanding player in any of the teams that played from 2019/20 to 2021/22!!!

 

I wonder if we will study Birmingham's set plays, especially corners.
Some very clever stuff to either copy or learn how to defend against.