The Voice - Match preview League One Playoff Semi-Final: Bolton Wanderers vs Bradford City Saturday 9th May 2026 8:00pm

Had we come away last night with a win or a draw we would spend 90 minutes defending it on thursday, as it is we will have to make a game of it and go at them, especially in the last 20/30 mins if no breakthrough by then, going to be a good night whatever..

 

I've no idea tbh, but I'll bet Mullin is on a fair wack, coming from Wrexham. And Ashby will be on a good wage, even the younger fringe prem players can easily be on 10k per week plus. Bottom line, we need to find a way of getting more value and quality out of the loan market next season.

 

Id get Wright in at wingback and tuck Touray inside as a left CB. Our better performances this season have featured that approach. It gets more offensive threat into the side, more balance and a bit more page at the back to deal with Cozier-Duberry. Humphry in for Lapslie and let's have a go at them. They have attacking quality but I don't think they're great at the back. We need a huge intensity, aggressive and direct approach, from the off.

 

Touray was still poor for the goal. When they were showing post match on Sky they highlighted that Power had seen the danger that Touray hadn't and was sprinting full on from the other side of the area to get to him

 

Best ever city games. Yes there's been matches that meant more...wolves away for the sheer scale and drama...but that was an absolute backs to the wall, pure Kammy era performance...particularly coming as it did following such a late dash for the playoffs. Wonderful night.
Remember some of the city players not in the matchday squad getting nabbed for going on the pitch at the end...that and the fish and chips crisps that a visit to Broomfield always bought.

 

Yeah
They had already booked supporters coaches and the team hotel
Kammy must have used it to fire the players up
Like you I thought twice about going indeed out of the 5 of us in the car just two of us went
What a night feel for you deciding to give it a miss
Anything can happen in a play off 2nd leg thats why I am not writing us off

 

Anyone think the Powell sub was a bit of an odd one? Either keep Jacko on or out Humphs up there, who would have at least offered some mobility in a type of match he would have thrived in as a sub.

All in tho a good performance at half time. Can go toe to toe with these and backs again he wall second leg out collective spirit vs their talented but nonetheless loanee based squad might hopefully see us over the line.

 

Dont disagree but somw folk are behving like we are tied and forgetting Bolton have a 1 goal advantage. We have to win by 2 now....nobody wants pens!

 

It was a magic night.

 

I certainly dont want pens but can honestly see it going that way. There was nothing between the teams in the league and I see Thursday also being a horrible tense affair. Would love us to blow them away but realistically that isn't going to happen.

 

I've just watched the video of that game again on YouTube. I'd forgotten that they hit the bar twice! Fine margins....

 

Simple isn’t it we have to win a home game and we will sill be in the tie. And we have proved we are one of the best at home

 

Didn't really agree with that analysis tbh. As soon as you engage a player like Cozier Duberry he will probably take it around you. That's why you double-up - first player stands off a little, restricting space and options while the 2nd man (Power) engages.
The problem was Baldwin being so wide doubling-up on Cissokho, then J Wright tracking Erhahon when he should've been more worried about Burstow. Tilt then has to come over and Touray is left defending both Rodrigues and Cozier. They got a bit of luck with the pass and its a good finish - really wouldn't blame Touray for that at all thought he had a very good game

 

I'll remind you of that when Tilt smashes in the winning penalty in off the bar. I'm trying to be positive! We've had some disagreements but even with a bit of realism it's not exactly a stretch to think we can beat Bolton at home. This time yesterday I'd have given us a 40% chance of getting through the tie. I'm going 30% now. I was reaching a bit but to be honest if it had been 0-0 yesterday I'd have fancied us heavily. Our chances have shortened but not massively.

 

Yep. He was left with a man over. He could've done more to show him outside but that happens at every level.

 

Those were my thoughts. The defence had to shift to the right to cover for Neufville who was caught further forward. It just left us exposed

 

That's my mental hang up on the situation.... when was the last time we won by 2 against a good side? We did early in the season but we haven't been that fast paced counter side for months now, I'm struggling to see this hoof tactic creating much, might get more from pressuring them on the ball than us lot actually being a threat with it.

 

That was intentional by Rodriguez, no matter how much he pretended to look innocent. The replay confirms for me. An intentional stamp on Jackson's ankle.