January 2023 - Transfer Talk - Stick or Twist

That's the whole point Oliver started as number one, offered little, Cook coming on as sub at Barrow scoring what should have been the equaliser and continued scoring and was rightly first name on the team sheet as our number one until the Carlisle game, so the only way Oliver was going to get back was if Cook failed to deliver, now that is the debate, is only scoring 1 goal in three games a good enough reason to drop your leading goal scorer, Hughes though it was.
Let's put a bit of logic behind both strikers Oliver's last 4 games have been against Harrogate, Salford, Rochdale and Wimbledon all teams below us, where as Cooks last three games were against Northampton, Orient and Carlisle all above us in the league, what's frustrating is Cook was in the position to miss those three easy chances because of his positioning, where was Oliver to head what could have been the winner at Wimbledon worrying about the post rather than scoring others might see it different.
Here you make the call IMO Oliver should have hit the target : https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/12786784/wimbledon-0-0-bradford-league-two-highlights here 45 seconds into the video.

 

That would be against Salford when Cook set up Eisa for a goal even you could have scored.

 

After 30 seconds of being on the pitch

 

Back on the bench against Rochdale, despite his instant impact and only brought on in the 85th minute , even though we were losing to the worse team i have seen in the league this season.

 

Just need another player in his 30s and we can join the local walking league

 

Cooks first touch I believe ?.

 

Of late both Oliver and Cook haven’t played well. Does Cook offer more? In some features of play yes, in others , no . Both as ineffective as each other but for different reasons, both effective, again for different reasons.

Neither are the complete centre forward, hence playing in L2

On balance neither would get us promoted individually, that’s why I said OTHER TEAM MEMBERS have equal responsibility. No service, no goals.

 

Well we certainly didn't 'stick' did we

 

Cant argue with that but let’s be honest …it’s dried up at the moment? From several players.

 

I agree but unfortunately when someone like Cook scores in the manner he has done, when as you say things dry up most suggest its because the striker/strikers aren't doing their job.

What I find a little strange is fans questioning the likes of Cooks lean spell when during his time at our club he's been our leading scorer ever season and that couldn't have been easy under the previous incumbent.

 

Anyone who watches Cookys goal at Mansfield know he is a natural striker. All strikers dry up but good managers support them through it and the goals return. Hughes dropping was the worst thing you can do if you wanted him back scoring goals. Hughes needed to support him not cast him aside and praise Oliver's lack of goals ruining Cookys confidence by watching his replacement not score goals and not look like he is a striker in the same league as Cooky . Very poor management

 

I think this is fair comment from Sparkie with regards the Cook situation : https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportlatest/23263098.boss-hughes-rubbishes-rumours-andy-cook-might-leave-bradford-city/
I think this quote puts to bed any silly talk of letting Cook leave, sorry to break the news to some who thought selling Cook was good business : “People may question some moves and what I do in the transfer market. But even I wouldn’t transfer-list my top scorer".

 

This is Hughes reply with regards him giving Cook a breather :

Hughes revealed he had spoken to Cook to keep his spirits up and reassure him that he was still vital to City’s plans.

“I’ve had a conversation with him in terms of he had a period last year when he had 10-12 games and didn’t score and he got really down,” he added. “Andy’s very much a confidence player.

“I just felt we didn’t want to go down that road again. If it means going out the team for a short period and refreshing you and you come back at your level, then that’s what we’ll do.

“He understood that. From now until the end of the season, Andy’s going to be really important to us.

 

Any chance of creating a “Cook v Oliver” thread?

Or is this it.

 

I think the conversation is within the thread title. "Transfer Talk - Stick or Twist" .

I'll go back to watching the Manchester City V Spurs game, bugger just missed another City goal what a great game for the neutrals.

 

Hughes sounded a bit defensive and rattled at the comments regarding dropping Cook

 

Disagree Oliver scored 2 and lead the line well in the games he played and deserves the chance to carry on. I hope I’m wrong but I think Cook will be recalled against Carlisle and the rest of the team will struggle because of it

 

Anyone else find our current transfer policy quite Steve Evans-ish?

We are signing a lot of players, all across the gamut, from young and talented loan players to older heads with a ton of experience.

Not only did we have an extremely active Summer transfer window, the January window has also been extremely active - making big calls at left back, and potentially now in central midfield - and it's barely over halfway through.

There were plenty of times where some City fans seemed to go a little green with envy watching other teams do this; but now we're doing it, I'm reading terms like "scatter gun"...

 

Very surprised how much we have done this window. Only time will tell if we have moved in the right direction I think a lot will depend on how good the two young loanees Costello and the lad from West Ham turn out to be. But Wright is a big miss. Three away games on the trot coming up soon if we come through that with some decent points I think we will be set up nicely but we often fall down in these scenarios

 

I think Costello will be the ace in the pack. Plays across the front three and held his own in the championship this season. Get him firing and the confidence should flow through the rest of the team.