Tuesday, December 29, 2009
L2 v Shrewsbury (h) L1-3 Dec 28th 2009
Bradford C (1) 1 Hanson 20
Shrewsbury (2) 3 Dunfield 11, McIntyre pen 45, Hibbert 79
Att: 11,522
Bradford: Eastwood ,Rehman ,Clarke (sent off 48),Luke O'Brien ,Bateson ,Flynn ,Whaley (Daley ,69 ) ,Bullock (James O'Brien ,80 ) ,Neilson (Williams ,46 ) ,Evans ,Hanson
Subs not used: Brandon,Rory Boulding,McLaughlan,Horne,
Shrewsbury: Button ,Cansdell-Sherriff ,Holden ,Langmead ,Coughlan ,Lewis Neal ,McIntyre ,Disley ,Leslie ,Dunfield ,Hibbert
Subs not used Murray,Chris Neal,Riza,Bright,Hooman,Richards,Taylor,
Bookings: Clarke (Bradford) Cansdell-Sherriff ,Leslie (Shrewsbury)
Attendance: 11522
Referee: P Quinn ()
TEAM STATS
Bradford Shrewsbury
17(11) Shots (on Goal) 5(4)
14 Fouls 12
11 Corner Kicks 1
1 Offsides 3
48% Time of Poss. 52%
1 Yellow Cards 2
1 Red Cards 0
3 Saves 9
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/4822638.Bad_news_comes_in_small_packages/
Another ref, another dodgy decision as Clarke red card follows softest of penalties
7:00am Tuesday 29th December 2009
By Simon Parker
City 1, Shrewsbury 3
Trust the smallest man on the pitch to have the biggest impact – and no surprises that it should be referee Peter Quinn stealing centre stage.
Once again it was familiar territory for City; a third home loss on the spin and the man in black cast as the chief villain.
The not-so-mighty Quinn made an indelible mark on proceedings with a one-two just before half-time, giving Shrewsbury the softest of penalties and then dismissing Matt Clarke straight afterwards.
It left Stuart McCall to curse another awful official for the umpteenth time and City trying to pick up the pieces from their fifth defeat at Valley Parade.
It was also scant reward for the 100 or so fans who had worked so hard to get the game on in the first place.
Without their enthusiastic early-morning efforts to clear the snow from the pitch and around the ground, City would have been facing a third successive bout of thumb-twiddling. In hindsight, that would not have been a bad thing.
This was hardly a battle of the form teams. City went into it without a victory in five at home and Shrewsbury had won just twice in 15 anywhere.
City had not tasted Valley Parade victory for over two months, a poor run that was dragging them down despite a decent record on the road.
With back-to-back home games this week, it was imperative that they finally started to make the big-crowd advantage count – and for a good while it looked like that might happen.
City certainly came charging out the blocks, winning five corners in the opening ten minutes. Scott Neilson had a shot deflected behind and Gareth Evans volleyed over.
Simon Whaley almost delivered a sensational opening goal after seven minutes. His 30-yard thunderbolt clipped off a Shrewsbury leg and bounced against the bar with keeper David Button completely beaten.
The fast start continued as Michael Flynn threaded a lovely ball through for Evans but his finish was weak, while only striker Dave Hibbert's outstretched leg prevented James Hanson's diving header finding the bottom corner.
A goal surely had to come and it did in the 11th minute – but at the other end. Shrewsbury had hardly crossed the halfway line when Terry Dunfield stunned City with a crisp 25-yard half-volley that flew beyond Simon Eastwood.
It was a total sucker punch, given City's dominance, but they emerged from a brief daze to grab an equaliser ten minutes later.
Zesh Rehman's thumping clearing header released Evans, who drove deep into the Shrewsbury box, held off Kelvin Langmead's challenge and intelligently squared for Hanson to knock home.
With an eighth goal of the season to his name, Hanson immediately went hunting another and Shane Cansdell-Sherriff atoned for a mistake in the Shrewsbury box with a desperate block from the big striker's close-range shot.
The pitch was holding up fairly well, considering the recent weather. The covers had ensured the surface remained soft despite the heavy frosts.
City were trying to knock the ball around, with Whaley a more prominent figure after a few flat performances.
But City fell behind again a minute before the break after Clarke was adjudged to have nudged Steve Leslie. The Shrewsbury striker went down like a sack of spuds, considering the minimal contact, but referee Quinn whistled immediately and booked the centre half.
It was a very soft penalty to concede and Kevin McIntyre compounded City's agony by sending Simon Eastwood the wrong way from the spot.
Things got even worse for City – and Clarke – within seconds after he ran into Hibbert chasing the ball out of play. Quinn ruled it another foul and judged Clarke to be last man, sending him off.
Clarke could not believe it and McCall was incandescent with rage on the touchline. He flew straight across to the diminutive referee as half-time sounded and angrily wagged a finger in his face.
Once again City were faced with playing the whole second half with a man down. Steve Williams was brought on to plug the defensive gap as Neilson made way.
Feelings were still running high among the fans when the game restarted and Quinn was booed incessantly.
Williams soon needed running repairs to his right hand, which left City briefly down to nine men before he was strapped up to continue.
City were pushing for an equaliser and Luke O'Brien was getting further and further forward on the left flank. The corner tally reached double figures but Lee Bullock's header from Whaley's kick flew straight at Button.
Bullock went much closer when he chested down a loose ball and drove it just the wrong side of the post. Then Whaley skidded an awkward effort which Button did well to push clear.
The referee continued to win no friends with the crowd when he decided not to book Dean Holden for halting O'Brien's overlap with a tug of the full back's shirt.
Omar Daley came on to a big roar in the 69th minute, replacing Whaley, who had produced his best City home performance. The substitute was tested straight away by a crunching tackle from Neal.
Eastwood fell awkwardly after a challenge with Hibbert for a clearance from his opposite number Button.
The pitch was cutting up badly, making it an even tougher task for City to claw their way back, and it became impossible 11 minutes from time when Shrewsbury added a third goal.
Eastwood made a good save from Neal but Hibbert was following up to kill off City for good.
Rehman got caught in possession inside his own area and Dunfield went down as he tried to retrieve the loose ball but this time the referee and assistant were unmoved.
It was petering out for City but there was one late positive. Daley produced a great run at the end, wiggling his way through four Shrewsbury players into a shooting position before Holden's deflection diverted his effort behind the goal.
There was just time for one last boo at Quinn on the final whistle.
===========================
City defender accuses ref as red card proves turning point
Matt Clarke fears lower-division referees are flashing cards to copy
what they see on the television.
Clarke was harshly sent off as City lost 3-1 to Shrewsbury yesterday –
their third home defeat in a row.
Rookie official Peter Quinn booked the centre half twice in the space of
a minute, as well as awarding a penalty against him.
Neither incident looked worthy of a yellow card as Clarke became the
fifth City player to get their marching orders.
He said: "I'm absolutely disgusted. I've been sent off before with two
yellows and felt that only one was justified but I've never been 100 per
cent cheated like this.
"The first one for the penalty was the most blatant dive I've ever seen.
He just collapsed to his knees and I thought he was the one getting
booked for diving.
"Then I don't think the referee even saw the other incident. (Dave)
Hibbert just touched me, clipped his own ankle and fell to the floor.
"I just think some refs watch Match of the Day and see a few yellow and
red cards flying around and try to mimic that. I don't know what's in
their head these days."
Stuart McCall reacted furiously to Clarke's dismissal and, having watched both
incidents on DVD again, he remained convinced that the defender was
innocent.
McCall fumed: "No disrespect to Paul Simpson and Shrewsbury but they
haven't beaten us. It's sickening.
"There's no logic and common sense from the referee. I hate whinging
about officials but it's just soul-destroying. I'm not making excuses;
it's just glaringly obvious that he was wrong."
City are hunting a new goalkeeper after McCall confirmed that Simon
Eastwood has gone back to Huddersfield.
"We've got a young back four and I'm just trying to find someone with
more experience," he said.
"Easty has shown great character because he's had an up and down spell
but I'm sure it will stand him in good stead."
Meanwhile, director of operations David Baldwin thanked the volunteers
who had helped clear ice from the pitch and around the stadium.
He said: "It was a fantastic response from the fans and staff. It's
testament to them that other games were called off and we were on."
===========================
Rhodes reflects on probably the worst decade in history of roller-coaster club
3:30pm Tuesday 29th December 2009
By Simon Parker
From Chelsea to Cheltenham – not even Alton Towers could match the Bradford City rollercoaster.
Is there another club in the country who have been through quite as much over the past ten years?
City's first home game of the 'noughties' saw Gianluca Vialli's expensively-assembled millionaires swan into Valley Parade.
On Saturday, 2010 will be heralded with the visit of a side who were just taking their first steps in league football a decade ago. It's been some fall from grace.
From the high of David Wetherall's header to see off Liverpool and clinch Premier League salvation to the lows of being humbled at home by the likes of Accrington and Rochdale.
Three relegations and, more significantly, the off-field horrors of two administrations made it a decade that every supporter will be glad to be rid of.
Joint-chairman Julian Rhodes suffered every body blow and knows exactly how those fans feel. In his programme notes on Monday, he admitted it was difficult to pick out many positives from the last year – or ten.
But there remains one beacon of hope for the Bantams.
The size of their crowds is still the envy of League Two – and most of the division above – and the take-up level for next year indicates it will again be the case come August.
"Amazement is probably the best word to describe my reaction," said Rhodes.
"We're trying to bring affordable professional football to the people of Bradford but it's only going to work if they back us; and they are doing that to a phenomenal extent.
"Despite the fact we are still in League Two, the success of our season-ticket campaign does give us a platform to build on. Any club is only as big as its fanbase.
"When we were starting this, we all hoped to bounce back to League One. We've been mid-table, really, ever since then.
"But we all hope at some point we can reward them and start the push forwards.
"I'd like to keep a scheme going in some way. Even if we do eventually get promoted, I would still like to try to do something at a higher level.
"All right, we've probably had one of the worst decades in the club's history. But the one before that was probably one of the best.
"Even Mark (Lawn) doesn't believe me but at some point we have to think we will turn the corner. That is much more achievable with a bigger fanbase.
"Mistakes were made on the back of surviving in the Premier League and we've been trying to rectify those ever since.
"People say we shouldn't keep harping on about that ten years on. But as a consequence of what we had to do, we had to sell the stadium and we will keep having to pay for that every year.
"But the rent and overheads we pay become less significant as we go up the leagues. That's what we need to do and we need supporters to stick by us.
"In spite of everything, people are still backing us. They are desperate for success."
Rhodes has also hinted about a couple of money-making ventures that will be unveiled in the new year.
He said: "They would see us at the forefront of developing new income streams. They are things that will prove useful for the supporters.
"And from our point of view, they should help raise money to back the team in our on-going quest to finally turn things round."
A Valley Parade upturn is long overdue.
===========================
*Huddersfield Town goalkeeper Simon Eastwood would like to stay at Bradford
City beyond the end of his loan spell.*
The 20-year-old is due to return to the Galpharm Stadium on 3 January.
Eastwood told BBC Radio Leeds: "It's up to Bradford and Huddersfield to
agree something and then I'd be more than happy to stay."
Eastwood joined the Bantams from the Terriers in July 2009 and has been
ever-present for the League Two side this season.
The England Under-18 and Under-19 international endured a difficult start to
life at Bradford as they failed to win any of their opening four games,
conceding 10 goals in the process.
"I've learnt so much from the opening game of the season and three or four
games after that when I was getting stick from the fans.
"I think it's been made me stronger and I think I've won most of the fans
over now which I thought I had to do to get better.
"Obviously as a goalkeeper you're an easy target I feel like I've been
playing a lot better.
"If you're inexperienced it's hard to get on the ladder, but Bradford gave
me my chance which I'm grateful for and I just want to keep playing."
===========================
Julian's programme notes before the game
"I think its fair to say that 2009 was not a hugely successful year
for the football club"
I would like to start today by wishing you all a happy Christmas and
the very best for the New Year. We extend our festive welcome to our
visitors from Shrewsbury.
Our two clubs played here at a similar time last season and, whilst
there were no goals in the game, it was an entertaining match. We hope
for more of the same this afternoon, but with some goals this time. I
am writing these notes ahead of the Bury game so I obviously don't
know the outcome of that match, but today promises to be another tough
test for us.
It is traditional at this time of year to look back at the highs and
lows of the past 12 months. However, considering the way we allowed
last season to slip away so disappointingly and the fact that we find
ourselves in the bottom half of the table this time around, as well as
being out of all three cup competitions, I think it is fair to say
that 2009 was not a hugely successful year for the football club.
As the end of this week also marks the end of a decade, I thought it
would be a good idea to review the highs and lows of the last ten
years. Then again, having started the year 2000 in the Premier League
before suffering a series of financial crises and three relegations,
it's hard to take too many positives from that period either!
The main highlight from the last ten years is probably the fact that
we have come through such a difficult time for the club with a
phenomenal supporter base intact. When we initiated our campaign to
bring affordable professional football to supporters about three years
ago, it was only ever going to work if everyone got behind it. It is
testimony to the ongoing success of the scheme that we can continue to
offer cheap season tickets to our supporters, and I am delighted to
report that sales in our festive offer are, as of December 18, around
double what they were last year. It is clear that, despite being in
the bottom half of the lowest tier of the Football League, there is
still an appetite among people to come and watch us.
This bodes well for the future, as being able to count on a strong
supporter base is one of the fundamental strengths of any football
club. People say that events occur in cycles so perhaps the start of a
new decade will herald a long overdue transformation in our fortunes,
which would be just reward for our fans for their continued support.
Having said that, I am a firm believer in the old adage that you make
your own luck. With the continued efforts of everybody concerned with
the football club - including the fans of course - then I have to
believe that better times are round the corner. I keep telling Mark
things will eventually improve, but I'm not sure he believes me any
more!
Despite all the challenges we have faced in the last ten years, it is
important that we all remain positive about what the New Year will
bring. I hope you have an enjoyable, prosperous and successful 2010
and that Bradford City is part of that success story.
Enjoy the game
Julian Rhodes
===========================
Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=46810838356
or search for
"City Forward! Mailing List"
***
Texas Bantams Blog
http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/
***
CFML since February 1997 is edited by Greg S. in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas
***
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
JPTN v Carlisle Utd (a) L0-3 Dec 15 2009
Football League Trophy Quarterfinal - KO 19:30
Carlisle 3 (1) - 0(0) Bradford
Keogh 44
Dobie 68
Robson 74
At Brunton Park on 15-12-2009
Carlisle: Pidgeley ,Keogh ,Livesey (Aldred ,89 ) ,Harte ,Horwood ,Hurst ,Taiwo (Dobie ,64 ) ,Murphy ,Robson
,Clayton ,Pericard (Bridge-Wilkinson ,80)
Bradford: Eastwood ,Ramsden (sent off 39),Rehman ,Clarke ,Luke O'Brien ,Flynn (Brandon ,82 ) ,Bullock ,James
O'Brien (Bateson ,43 ) ,Neilson (Daley ,72 ) ,Hanson ,Evans
Bookings: Clarke ,Ramsden (Bradford)
Attendance: 3176
Referee: Anthony Bates (Staffordshire)
STAT ATTACK
Blues / Bantams
9 Shots On Target 9
3 Shots Off Target 6
7 Fouls (Conceded) 10
6 Corners 5
0 Yellow Cards 2
0 Red Cards 1
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/4796038.Ramsden_red_card_the_beginning_of_the_
end/
City miss out on a double helping against Leeds as they run out of legs
7:00am Wednesday 16th December 2009
By Simon Parker
Carlisle United 3, City 0
City's dreams of a double-header derby with Leeds were dashed in chilly Cumbria.
Simon Ramsden's first-half red card proved the killer blow as the ten-man Bantams ran out of legs.
Their Johnstone's Paint Trophy adventure effectively ended the moment Ramsden was given his marching orders after
39 minutes.
Carlisle were in front before the break through his opposite right back Richard Keogh and, despite a spirited City
rally early in the second half, they were eventually picked off with two more goals following the injection of
substitute Scott Dobie's extra pace.
So Greg Abbott enjoyed bragging rights over his old pal Stuart McCall, who will have to lift spirits – and restore
energy levels – to stop a third defeat in a week at Aldershot on Saturday.
With Simon Whaley cup-tied, City switched back to 4-3-3 with James O'Brien getting the nod over Chris Brandon in
midfield. Skipper Zesh Rehman had recovered from his hamstring problem.
The most welcome sight was Omar Daley on the bench – his first appearance since that season-ending knee injury
against Darlington in February.
Getting this far in the competition was uncharted territory for City but Carlisle were veterans of four finals and
had lifted the trophy twice.
The home side had City under the cosh from their first corner after five minutes.
Matty Robson's kick looked too deep but Ian Harte kept it alive beyond the far post. Vincent Pericard's looping
header was blocked on the line by Rehman and then Luke O'Brien did the same to thwart Harte's follow-up.
City had made an edgy start and were nearly in trouble as left back Evan Horwood slipped past Scott Neilson to
drill in a low cross which just beat the lunging Pericard.
Suddenly out the blue, the Bantams were inches away from snatching the lead. James Hanson's header dropped to
Neilson 25 yards out and the winger's smash on the turn flew past startled keeper Lenny Pidgeley but the wrong side
of the post.
That lifted City and Ramsden, booked for a trip on the dangerous Robson, drifted a header across goal from
Neilson's corner.
Neilson's pace was rattling Carlisle as City settled into a very open game. The backing they were getting from the
away fans was superb.
Luke O'Brien made a crucial block in the area from Kevan Hurst and Harte, Carlisle's top scorer with eight goals,
should have done better with a free header from the resulting corner.
Hanson felt the same about his chance at the other end two minutes later, planting the ball straight at Pidgeley
after more good work from Neilson.
City continued to give as good as they got. Gareth Evans flashed a drive across goal and Neilson turned Danny
Livesey inside out before forcing a diving save from Pidgeley.
But they were dealt a huge blow six minutes before half-time when Ramsden was shown a second yellow card for
tugging back Robson as the winger went to close down Neilson's clearance.
Jon Bateson was hastily summoned from the dugout to take over at right back, with James O'Brien the unlucky fall
guy.
But Carlisle had the initiative now and grabbed the lead a minute later. Pericard played in Robson, whose shot was
parried by Simon Eastwood but the rebound fell into the path of Keogh to slam into the unguarded net.
McCall was fuming about Ramsden's dismissal and let referee Tony Bates know it as he argued with the official down
the tunnel at half-time. After a half that had promised much, it suddenly looked a long way back with ten men.
But Evans won a corner straight away when Pidgeley spilled his shot off the skiddy surface. The keeper flapped at
the corner to launch a goalmouth scramble which saw Rehman's close-range stab blocked on the line by Horwood.
Evans shot over as City tried to take the game to the home side. Clarke was holding his own with Pericard and
dispossessed the Frenchman to clear upfield for lone striker Hanson to warm Pidgeley's hands with a half-volley.
City began piling on the pressure and thought they had levelled on the hour. Evans' shot was parried goalwards by
Pidgeley; the loose ball was scrambled from the on-rushing Hanson and back to his strike partner, whose second
effort was also spilled by the keeper before Horwood hacked it to safety from in front of the net.
Pidgeley then raced from his goal as Evans burst through – and watched with his heart in his mouth as Hanson's
first-time chip dropped wide.
Carlisle had the chance to double their lead with a three-on-one break but Rehman, the solo defender, smothered
Robson's square pass in the City box.
City's relief was short-lived as Carlisle had their second goal after 68 minutes. Lee Bullock was caught in
possession midway inside their half and Hurst fed Dobie to drill past Eastwood.
Daley came on to huge away cheers with 18 minutes left but his first corner sparked Carlisle's third goal.
Pericard cleared it as far as Robson, who broke from one end to the other before slotting home. City were out on
their feet.
===========================
http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/carlisle_united/latest/mccall_referee_spoiled_cup_clash_1_650684?referrerPath=/1.49997
Referee 'spoiled' Carlisle Utd trophy clash, claims Bradford boss McCall
Last updated at 11:44, Wednesday, 16 December 2009
Bitter Bradford boss Stuart McCall accused ref Tony Bates of "spoiling" last night's cup clash at Brunton Park.
The Staffordshire official dismissed Bantams defender Simon Ramsden in the 38th minute for two bookable offences.
Carlisle duly completed a 3-0 win to set up a massive double-header against Leeds for the right to play at Wembley.
But McCall – a former Bradford team-mate of United manager Greg Abbott – was livid about the decision to send
Ramsden off for two first-half challenges on Blues winger Matty Robson.
"The second yellow card was an absolute embarrassment," blasted McCall.
"The referee spoiled the game. If you are going to give yellow cards every time players run into each other and
pull a shirt, you would have everybody sent off.
"There was no need for it and I feel sorry for our supporters who spent money to come here."
Abbott took a different view of Ramsden's dismissal, claiming the Bradford defender "gave the referee little
alternative."
And United's first goalscorer Richard Keogh said his rival right-back only had himself to blame. "It was stupid –
he cost his team," said Keogh.
McCall insisted his League Two side posed Carlisle plenty of problems last night and could easily have got back
into the game despite being a man down for so long.
"Until Carlisle's second goal went in, you couldn't tell we only had 10 men," said the former Rangers and Scotland
ace.
"How the ball stayed out of their net at certain times is incredible. I was dead proud of the players. They gave
everything."
===========================
http://www.carlisleunited-mad.co.uk/roll/ed15/greg_abbott_on_the_bradford_win_477389/index.shtml
Greg Abbott On The Bradford Win
Blues boss Greg Abbott
United boss Greg Abbott (GA) spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria's James Phillips (JP) after Carlisle's 3-0 Johnstone's
Paint Trophy win at home to Bradford City, Abbott saying that the Blues can put the competition to bed now over the
Christmas period :
JP
In the Northern Section final across two legs it will be Carlisle United against Leeds United, Greg Abbott how do
you feel about that?
GA
Excited again, fantastic for the club isn't it. We are a one tie from Wembley aren't we so it is terrific,
something again we were talking about for everybody to look forward to. We can put it to bed now this competition
for a while, it is after Christmas now, and look forward to it when it comes up. But there is a great deal to play
for now.
JP
It looked like you maybe caught a brief word there with your old friend Stuart McCall, what was he feeling about
this one?
GA
He will be upset, Stuart will be upset at the minute but that is alright, I have been upset before as well, but he
will be OK. I will be inviting him in for a drink, so he will have a glass of shandy with us and then we will talk
about what should have been and what shouldn't have been and the whys and wherefores. But it is a nice night for
us, and again, another victory.
JP
What were the whys and wherefores of it tonight then in the match?
GA
We have just said to the players there, we have gone again and it is only two in 13 or 14 games now in which we
have beaten. We have won a game 3-0 that is difficult, scored three goals, kept another clean sheet, we have
progressed to the final of the Northern Paints.
And we are still having a little bit of a go with the players saying that we still think that we can be better. We
still think we can do things better than we did do at times tonight, and that just shows the progress we are making
and the standards we are trying to set.
The players are in good mood in there, they are confident and they know we can play better. But these games, they
are tough, they are not easy, they are not straightforward, they never are. We have come through comfortably in the
end and won a game 3-0 so we can't be too critical and we can't be too down on ourselves, it is another tremendous
night really.
JP
In the end, the scoreline is obviously very good, the result is very good, you are very happy, it looked like you
were doing just about enough to beat Bradford, but I am sure you would like to do a bit more than that?
GA
Well you look at the chances we had as well and you look at the initial 10-15 minute period at the start of the
game. Matty Robson has got down the left and tortured the full-back (Simon Ramsden). You look at the second-half
and the ball is flying across the face of the goal and Vincent (Pericard's) shot, the one that the keeper (Simon
Eastwood) saved, and the chances that we have had and missed.
It could have been really, really a comfortable victory but Bradford are spirited and they are tough and they don't
want to give up. They have given us everything they have got tonight and that is why the game is hard work at
times. We have to make sure that when we have got the ball we don't give it away as cheaply as we did at times, and
we would have won probably a little bit more comfortably.
JP
Looking then on the match as a whole, two turning points, the sending-off (of Ramsden) and the introduction of
Scott Dobie, talk us through both.
GA
Well the sending-off is a sending-off, it is as simple as that, you can't do what he has done.
JP
But did it change the match though?
GA
Not really, we were doing OK against eleven and it is never easy when you go up against ten. Everybody gets a bit
anxious and the crowd are expecting us just to go and score three or four goals really, really quickly and that
doesn't always happen.
But we got the goal at a good time and we got the second at an exceedingly good time. Because Bradford were having
a decent spell and they were rolling their sleeves up, a la Morecambe when they were 2-1 down against us and they
came back with ten men.
So what we have done is won the game in a comfortable manner but not without a few scares along the way. Credit to
Bradford for not rolling over when they were down to ten, but it is not always that easy to play against ten men.
But we have done what we had to do and that is win the game, clean sheet, three goals, and we are progressing. So
we can't be too down on ourselves.
JP
Your one-time top scorer, and still second top scorer Scott Dobie though, bit of a fallow period for him but he has
come in and he was an absolute livewire having come on.
GA
Well this is why we have got players within the club now that I enjoy really working with and have got I think
plenty to offer. There are eleven playing which is fine but there are also four or five after that, that have got
massive roles to play. Who knows what will happen in the second-half of the season?
Things change very, very quickly in football and what we know is that the likes of Peter Murphy and Scott Dobie and
little Bridgey (Marc Bridge-Wilkinson) can come on and be really effective for us. And who is to say they don't
earn the right to start in the future, in the near future. So what we have got is a squad now all fighting for
playing situations.
JP
Was Graham Kavanagh rested tonight?
GA
Yes.
JP
No injury problem?
GA
No, he is fine, but he has had a lot of games, played a lot of football, done awfully well for us. We just feel
that games Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday-Tuesday for a period takes its toll on him. So we left him
out, give Tom (Taiwo) a chance to get the illness he has got out of his system, so he has had 60 minutes.
Probably in that situation everything has worked out well for us, we rested Vince for ten minutes and obviously you
have seen Dobes get his 20-odd minutes and be really effective. So in that sense the gameplan was excellent.
JP
Likewise, Lenny Pidgeley coming in goal as well, was that just a rotation to give him some game time?
GA
Well we need Lenny to be sharp, when Lenny was playing regularly we used Adam (Collin) in this competition. I
thought that he needs his games and I don't want to send him to Accrington tomorrow which will be a non-event in
terms of tempo and seriousness of the game. So he has had his game tonight and again he has kept his clean sheet,
so again there is more food for thought there.
JP
But you would expect Adam Collin would be looking to return for the Colchester match?
GA
That is something we will look later on in the week.
JP
I thought you might say that, injury situation ahead of the weekend, anything picked up tonight and anything that
might improve?
GA
Nothing tonight and I think the ones that have been out up to now will probably miss Saturday, but certainly Joe
Anyinsah should be with us shortly.
JP
And Marc Bridge-Wilkinson just finally, nice to see him getting some action out there after such a lengthy lay-off
for him again?
GA
Again, important, our squad is not the biggest and we are trying to get everybody fit so the competition is there
and we can things round when things aren't quite going right. Which they weren't tonight and Scott has come on and
done a terrific job and after his introduction we went on to bigger and better things for us.
===========================
http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3216428,00.html
Carlisle booked a Johnstone's Paint Trophy Northern Area final date with Leeds after beating ten-man Bradford 3-0
at Brunton Park.
Richard Keogh netted just before the interval and two more in the second half from Scott Dobie and Matty Robson
extended Carlisle's unbeaten run to six games.
Events turned against the Bantams in the 39th minute when defender Simon Ramsden was sent off for a second yellow
card, both times for fouls on Carlisle danger man Robson.
Carlisle applied pressure as half-time approached and it paid dividends in the 44th minute when Keogh blasted home
the loose ball from six yards after City keeper Simon Eastwood had parried Robson's skimming low drive.
The hosts finally made it 2-0 midway through the second half when Kevan Hurst played Dobie in to space and the
striker, who had only been on the pitch for four minutes, had time to pick his spot and drill the ball low past
Eastwood and inside the left-hand post from 10 yards.
Robson then made it safe for Carlisle in the 74th minute with a stunning break from halfway. The winger latched on
to Vincent Pericard's clearance from a Bradford corner and evaded two defenders before slipping the ball past
Eastwood from the edge of the box.
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/4815120.City_focus_on_strong_finish/
Current table means nothing to McCall
7:40am Tuesday 22nd December 2009
By Simon Parker
Stuart McCall will urge City to learn the lessons of last season and "hang in there" in the play-off chase.
The Bantams will hit Christmas in the bottom half of League Two but McCall's only focus is the four-point gap from the crucial seventh spot.
Twelve months ago, City headed for Lincoln on Boxing Day in fourth. They reached March in the same position before the wheels came off with a nine-match winless run.
Hence McCall's disinterest over the current standings – and his determination to push on over the second half of the campaign.
"We've got to hang in there and look to do this season what we didn't do last year," he said.
"Where we tailed off last year, we're going to look to have a really strong finish. Hopefully that will take us to where we want to go."
City are currently 14th, their lowest position since August, although the compact nature of the table means the picture could change very quickly over the festive period.
The squad were back in training today to build up to the holiday schedule, which kicks off at Bury on Saturday.
"The league table at this moment in time means nothing to me, as I've said all along," insisted McCall.
"Last season we were in the top three for part of it and the top seven for most of it but ended up out of it.
"Whether we're eighth, 12th or 16th, it's how many points we are away from the play-off positions that's important to me. We've got to keep being in there and kick on in the new year when we get players back.
"All the lads are focused. They want to be here and they want to do well.
"We've just got to find a little bit of luck from somewhere and pick up a few wins where we've been drawing.
"Out of the five away draws we've had, even if two of them had been wins, we'd be in the play-offs.
"We have to look to the new year when the likes of Omar Daley will have had a few games. Hopefully Peter Thorne and Micky Boulding will be available and Stephen O'Leary but we'll see what happens there."
O'Leary, like loan keeper Simon Eastwood, is sweating on his Valley Parade future.
The injury-jinxed midfielder has played only one game since his summer arrival and McCall admitted: "Things have been so unfortunate for the kid.
"He's back running but he's still got a bit of pain and obviously his contract's up for renewal."
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/4798220.Daley__I_ve_still_got_it/
Daley: I've still got it
7:40am Thursday 17th December 2009
By Simon Parker
Omar Daley came through his first speed check and confirmed he is still as quick as ever.
The jet-paced Jamaican emerged unscathed from the final 20 minutes at Carlisle on Tuesday.
It was his first senior appearance since he snapped his cruciate against Darlington in February.
Daley was delighted to be back – and immediately set his sights on featuring again in the weekend trip to Aldershot.
He said: "The time has gone fast (since getting injured) and it's great to play with the lads and get to know them again.
"It was a bit hard coming back with ten men, I wasn't expecting that. I was hoping to enter the pitch leading 1-0 with 11 guys but came on 2-0 down and chasing the game.
"It took me five minutes to get there but I did in the end. And I checked the pace – and I've still got it.
"It's so much better getting out there on the pitch than training. The feel of a proper game is what it's all about.
"But I'll take any chance to play. I just need the games now to build up my sharpness."
The 3-0 defeat at Brunton Park knocked some gloss off the occasion but, after ten months stuck on the sidelines, Daley is determined to think positively.
He said: "It was a bad result but I thought the lads played well. It was always going to be hard coming on but it felt good. I appreciated the chance to do the business again."
City's resources have been further stretched for Saturday's long haul to Hampshire because Simon Ramsden is banned.
But boss Stuart McCall said: "We've been up against it with injuries and refereeing decisions lately.
"Aldershot will have been sitting at home in their free week watching our result at Carlisle and seeing we got a player sent off.
"But we'll go there on Saturday and give it a good go. It's a tough place to visit but I'm sure we can come back with something positive."
===========================
Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=46810838356
or search for
"City Forward! Mailing List"
***
Texas Bantams Blog
http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/
***
CFML since February 1997 is edited by Greg S. in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas
***
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
L2 v Rotherham U. (h) L2-4 Dec 12th 2009
Football League Two - KO 15:00
Bradford 2 (1) - 4(2) Rotherham
Bullock 19
Flynn 46
Ellison 30
Ellison 37
Roberts 78
Broughton 88
At Valley Parade on 12-12-2009
Bradford: Eastwood ,Ramsden ,Clarke ,Luke O'Brien ,Bateson ,Flynn ,Whaley (Brandon ,71 ) ,Bullock ,Neilson (James O'Brien ,84 ) ,Michael Boulding (Evans ,20 ) ,Hanson
Subs not used: McLaughlan,Horne,
Rotherham: Warrington ,Sharps ,Mills ,Joseph ,Green ,Rundle (Harrison ,60 ) ,Roberts ,Law ,Ellison ,Le Fondre ,Broughton
Subs not used Lynch,Nicholas,Annerson,Brogan,Ryan Taylor,Pope,
Bookings: Bullock ,Clarke ,Flynn ,Ramsden (Bradford) Broughton (Rotherham)
Attendance: 11578
Referee: Lee Probert (Gloucestershire)
Game Statistics
Bantams / Millers
17 Goal Attempts 17
10 On Target 9
6 Corners 7
2 Offside 3
14 Fouls 13
4 Yellow Cards 1
0 Red Cards 0
55 % 45
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/4791867.Moore_of_the_same_as_Millers_bag_maximum/
Moore of the same as Rotherham bag maximum
6:30am Monday 14th December 2009
By Simon Parker
City 2 Rotherham 4
Four wins from the last five games at Valley Parade is a record that any manager can be proud of.
Stuart McCall would kill for a run like that.
Ronnie Moore sure enjoys coming to City and he certainly milked it on Saturday after Rotherham emerged on top after a helter-skelter Yorkshire derby.
Though his claim that the Millers were the best side by a mile was laughable.
McCall had called it right when he predicted a no-holds-barred collision and it made for gripping entertainment for the fans.
His side played their part, especially in a second-half showing that was light years away from the dismal display in the previous home game.
But in the cold light of day, the City boss was left to reflect on another Valley Parade setback against a side that he would love to be challenging with in the promotion mix.
Instead of cutting the margin to the division's pace-setters, City have now slipped below halfway for the first time since the end of August.
McCall always insists that he ignores the table. It's the gap to the last play-off spot – currently standing at four points – that matters.
But as he swallowed Saturday's disappointment, there was a defensive nature in his comments. With all this talk about decisive December, it's so far played two lost two against teams above them.
Post-Rochdale, though, there were few positives to cling to. This time, City's spirited performance was full of them.
If only the same could be said of referee Lee Probert.
It's not the first time that a Premier League official has swaggered into town and played the big man. Not one of the crucial calls – or non-calls – went with the home team.
Adam Le Fondre, the division's top gun, was bottled up well by a defence shorn of hamstring victim Steve Williams. And the casualty list added another name 20 minutes in when Michael Boulding's ankle gave in following a whack from Pablo Mills – one of two crunching fouls from the centre half that earned no card.
Rotherham only got one booking all game, for striker Drewe Broughton's elbow on Matt Clarke. That was only nine minutes in and he'd already done the same to stand-in central defender Simon Ramsden.
On the stroke of half-time, the pair went up for another high ball in front of the away dug-out and Ramsden fell flat on the ground. Chaos ensued, with Moore sticking his oar in and accusing the City defender of cheating, but no action was taken.
You knew then that Broughton was bound to score before the end.
In another world, his tap-in to put the seal on Rotherham's first win in five would not have counted. The flag would have been raised against provider Le Fondre, who appeared to be standing a couple of yards beyond the last man.
Then again, maybe Probert would have also pulled back the wonder strike that blew away City's rising belief and self-confidence ten minutes earlier.
Gary Roberts did a fitting Maynor Figueroa impression with his free-kick from just over the halfway line. Maybe, as Alan Hansen said about Stoke on Match of the Day, City should have stood someone in front of the ball to slow play down.
It was, though, a stunning piece of skill and judgement and any blame on Simon Eastwood for being caught off his line is harsh.
But let's not gloss over the fact that the free-kick was taken in the wrong place. Officials are usually picky over the ball being kicked from the exact blade of grass, yet Probert allowed Roberts to bring the ball far more central after Matt Clarke had fouled Broughton just inside the touchline.
Little things can make a huge difference.
Rotherham had been the better side for the first 45 minutes without a doubt.
They started much the brighter and only Eastwood's body prevented Nicky Law making it a hat-trick of old boys to score on their comeback following Steve Schumacher and Michael Symes.
The Millers clocked up five corners in the first 15 minutes before City grabbed the lead against the run of play.
Simon Whaley's free-kick pinged up off the wall and span awkwardly in the box, with Boulding creating enough space for City's star man Lee Bullock to toe-poke his first goal since Easter.
But Rotherham were quickly back in it and ahead themselves by half-time.
Kevin Ellison, as much a hate figure in these parts as his manager, got both goals to add salt to the wound.
The first followed a fine save from Eastwood, who kept out Broughton's free header, only to see Ellison latch on to the rebound.
Then the winger was played in by Le Fondre to slide a calculated shot through the keeper's legs.
Ramsden's rumpus with Broughton raised temperatures before the whistle. And the noise threatened to go through the roof when Michael Flynn seized on some comical attempts to clear and fired City level just 13 seconds after the restart.
There was no room to breathe now as both sides tore at each other looking for that decisive blow. Ian Sharps, a rock at the heart of Rotherham's defence, somehow missed a free header when City's offside trap sprung a leak at a Law free-kick. Then Flynn hacked off the line from substitute Danny Harrison.
The action was just as frenetic at the other end, where Andy Warrington was producing another Valley Parade wonder show.
He was brilliant here in April and performed similar heroics to deny goal-bound efforts from Bullock, Chris Brandon and James O'Brien.
Bullock, a trainee at York when silver-haired Warrington was their stopper, nearly ended up with a barnet the same colour as he watched his old team-mate with growing disbelief.
But that was nothing compared with City's stunned reaction to the Roberts free-kick – or, more pertinently, the fact that Probert let it stand. Throw in the "offside" fourth and it's fair to say the Gloucestershire official will not be welcome back in a hurry.
"Some of his decisions baffled me," said a diplomatic McCall, eyes rolling. "But all I can concern myself with is our performance and the second half was excellent. We asked them at half-time to raise it and have a real go and I thought they did that. You couldn't ask for any more."
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/4791816.Angry_Bullock_sees_red_over_ref_s_display/?ref=rss
Angry Bullock sees red over ref's display
7:30am Monday 14th December 2009
By Simon Parker
Lee Bullock slammed the performance of Premier League referee Lee Probert, blasting: "They can have him back."
Bullock accused Probert of blundering over three of Rotherham's goals in Saturday's Yorkshire derby defeat at Valley Parade.
City have conceded seven goals in successive home losses but the display was much better than against Rochdale 11 days earlier.
The 4-2 defeat, including a spectacular 45-yard strike from Rotherham's Gary Roberts, dropped them into the bottom half of the table – and Bullock knew where to point the blame.
The midfielder netted his first goal of the season but was in no mood to celebrate as he criticised Probert.
Bullock said: "We didn't get any breaks at all. If that referee's from the Premier League, they can happily have him back and we'll stick with our own ones.
"The first goal was a blatant throw-in to us because their lad kicked it out of play. The third was a great free-kick but it was taken ten to 15 yards in the wrong position and the last one looked offside for all the world to see."
City were also angry that Drewe Broughton, scorer of Rotherham's fourth goal, was still on the pitch. The striker, booked early on for elbowing Matt Clarke, was then involved in an altercation with Simon Ramsden which threatened to boil over at the end of the first half.
Bullock added: "Rammers said he got caught by his elbow and he wouldn't lie. But their lad did one early on and we got a free-kick, did exactly the same second time and got a yellow card – how were they any different?
"It was one of those horrible days. Again we've put in a good performance without a win.
"We really thought we could come out second half and beat them. We got the early goal and then Andy Warrington made a couple of great saves from myself and James O'Brien.
"We've had blocks and non-stop efforts and then they get the third from the great free-kick. It was the best goal I've ever witnessed on a pitch, especially on that surface, but it wasn't taken from the right place and that just knocked the wind out of us."
Michael Boulding's ankle injury adds to City's problems ahead of tomorrow's Johnstone's Paint Trophy northern semi-final at Carlisle. Centre halves Steve Williams and Zesh Rehman are already out.
Bullock said: "It's a massive game for us. If we can take that energy and the way we drove forward second half into that game then we've got a chance."
===========================
DALEY IN SQUAD FOR JPT TIE
Posted on: Mon 14 Dec 2009
Stuart McCall has handed Bantams flying winger Omar Daley a massive boost by
including him in City's squad for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Semi-Final at
Carlisle.
Daley will make the trip to Brunton Park with the rest of his team mates
after being named in a Bradford City match squad for the first time in ten
months.
He has made two appearances in the reserves in recent weeks as he looks to
build up his match sharpness, but this will be his first involvement with
the senior setup since sustaining knee ligament damage back in February.
The Jamaican winger will almost certainly not feature from the start in
City's Johnstone's Paint Trophy tie with the Cumbrians, but nevertheless the
sight of him in back in the first team picture will be a boost for all
concerned at the football club
The 28 year olds inclusion is partly down to the growing amount of
injuries at Valley Parade, which are taking their toll on McCall's squad.
Steve Williams is ruled out with the same hamstring injury that denied him a
place in the squad for Saturday, while Michael Boulding is also unavailable
due to the ankle injury he picked up against the Millers.
Initial diagnosis predicts the former Aston Villa and Grimsby Town striker
is likely to be out of action for 2-4 weeks due to the injury.
The duo join Leon Osborne, Steven O'Leary, Rory Boulding and Peter Thorne as
current inhabitants of the Bantams treatment room.
City skipper Zesh Rehman is out a doubt for the big JPT tie due to the
hamstring injury that has ruled him out of Bradford's last two games, while
on loan winger Simon Whaley is cup-tied due to his previous involvement in
the competition with parent club Norwich City.
===========================
The Bantams December Season Ticket deal continues to go from strength to
strength as over 1,200 tickets have now been sold already for the
2010/2011 season.
The Ticket Office at the Coral Windows Stadium is currently reporting
brisk business as fans flock to take advantage of City's Christmas
cracker deal.
There is still time for you to add to the growing numbers and grab
yourself a whole season's worth of value by purchasing your Season
Ticket at the Coral Windows Stadium for the 2010/2011 campaign.
Season Tickets are now on sale for next season from the Ticket Office at
Valley Parade and yet again the club are offering supporters the chance
to make amazing savings.
Adults Season Tickets can be purchased for as little as £110.00 for the
2010/2011 season - thats all of the Bantams 23 Football League home
fixtures for less than £5.00 a match!
Seats for next season can also be secured for Juniors, 25 Year Season
Ticket holders and Suite members and all at equally great prices.
Any supporters wishing to take advantage of these fantastic offers have
only until close of business on 31st December 2009 to do so.
So hurry on down to the Ticket Office now and secure your place for
another exciting campaign at the home of the Bantams, as joint-chairman
Mark Lawn said "You'd be cracker's not to!"
The Ticket Office will now be open every Wednesday throughout the month
of December to cater for season ticket sales.
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
L2 v Darlington (a) W1-0 Dec 5 2009
Coca-Cola League 2
Darlington (0) 0
Bradford C (1) 1 Williams 23
Att: 2,744
Stats: Darlington - Bradford C
Possession: 51 - 49%
Shots on target: 5 - 6
Shots off target: 1 - 9
Fouls: 14 - 11
Corners: 1 - 9
Ref: Neil Swarbrick (Preston)
Yellow cards:
Darlington: Hall (36 min), Harsley (41), Hogg (50), Thorpe (74)
Bradford C: Neilson (82)
Darlington: 13. Nick Liversedge, 3. Mark Bower, 32. Danny Hall, 19. Andrew
Milne, 20. Stuart Giddings, 28. Jonathan Hogg, 12. Josh Gray (73), 7. Jeff
Smith (73), 33. Paul Harsley, 30. Mor Diop (60), 9. Lee Thorpe.
SUBS: 25. Ashlee Jones (GK), 5. Stephen Foster, 14. Gary Smith, 15. Curtis
Main (73), 16. Danny Groves, 18. Mark Convery (73), 23. James Collins (60).
Bradford C: 1. Simon Eastwood, 2. Simon Ramsden, 3. Luke O'Brien, 12. Steve
Williams, 6. Matthew Clarke, 8. Lee Bullock, 4. Michael Flynn, 26. Scott
Neilson, 27. Simon Whaley (86), 14. Michael Boulding (63), 17. James Hanson.
SUBS: 13. Jon McLaughlin (GK), 9. Gareth Evans (63), 11. Chris Brandon, 16.
Jonathan Bateson, 18. Rory Boulding, 19. James O'Brien (86), 24. Louis
Horne.
Next matches: (H) Rotherham, Saturday Dec 12, 2009. K.O. 3:00PM
JPT(N): (A) Carlisle, Tuesday Dec 15, 2009. K.O. 7:30PM.
===========================
By Simon Parker (T&A)
Bradford City got back to winning ways after their midweek setback in a
scrappy clash with League Two whipping boys Darlington.
It was no classic but the Bantams left with the three points they had to get
ahead of the big games to come this month.
City showed no immediate signs of a Rochdale hangover as they pressed the
struggling hosts from the start.
Scott Neilson, one of three changes to the side from midweek, and Lee
Bullock both went close before City grabbed the lead midway through the
first half.
Steve Williams had just been denied from one corner. But nobody picked him
up from the next as the centre half nodded home Neilson's kick at the far
post after 23 minutes.
James Hanson should have extended the lead ten minutes later but City were
well in command at the break.
Darlington, skippered by Valley Parade old boy Mark Bower, had offered
little going forward and looked a side devoid of any confidence.
The second half began in the same vein with City pushing for the second goal
to surely put the game beyond Darlo. Michael Boulding deflected a Simon
Whaley shot straight at keeper Nick Liversedge and Hanson sliced wide after
more clever play from the livewire Neilson.
But City did not have the safety net of a second and Simon Eastwood was
called into action to save from sub James Collins and Jonathan Hogg as
Darlington rallied.
The last 20 minutes were more uncomfortable than they should have been but
City kept it tight to make sure of their fourth away win in the league.
===========================
Video and pics
http://www.darlofc.co.uk/news.php?NewsID=131
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1897109,00.html
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/4779684.Williams_redemption_gives_positive_reply/
Defender's text message gives team-mates belief
6:30am Monday 7th December 2009
By Simon Parker
Darlington 0, City 1
Steve Williams texted Michael Flynn after the Rochdale flop to say sorry for the way he'd played.
The big defender was distraught over the blunder which put the skids under City as they tumbled to the heaviest home loss of the season.
But four days on, Williams was the toast of his team-mates by scoring a redeeming winner in the north-east – and Flynn made sure he was at the front of the queue to say well done.
Flynn said: "For a player to send a text message like that shows how much he cares. I have full respect for Willo for doing that.
"But these boys here all care and they all want to do well for the manager. We were just as hurt as anybody else after Tuesday."
A lot of steam has been let off since Rochdale. Message boards have seethed with indignation following such an awful night.
Fans – not to mention the manager – were entitled to feel let down at the way such a hyped-up match swiftly turned into a one-sided non-event.
Normal service, of a sort, was restored in the eerily empty Darlington Arena on Saturday. City reacted with the right result, even if the way in which it was achieved was nothing to write home about.
The job got done with few frills or fuss. Against a side that had shipped 13 goals in three outings, one proved to be sufficient.
And how appropriate that it should come from the head of the novice defender who had taken the blame so personally for the previous slip-up.
Stuart McCall talked about the self-inflicted pressure City took into the game and nobody felt that more so than Williams.
McCall said: "People think of his last game and it wasn't his best. But you could say that about nine of them who were on the pitch that night.
"I had a good chat with Willo on Friday about his confidence and he's shown great character.
"You look at him throughout the season and he's been doing far better than we could have hoped for from where he's come from. But he's got to keep learning and he will do that."
Lee Bullock always makes the point that players are in League Two because of their inconsistency. If they were good enough to play at a decent level week in, week out, they wouldn't be plying their trade in the basement division.
It explains why results in this league fluctuate so wildly compared with higher up the food chain.
By the League Two law of averages, everyone will have a shocker or two at some point. It's how you respond next time out.
The most consistent results have been churned out by the boys at the bottom. They get beaten every week.
If City think they've got it bad, spare a thought for the long-suffering Darlo faithful; very few in number and pretty much devoid of hope.
A Darlington steward took exception to the "going down" chant from the boisterous away end. He argued: "They've got it wrong – we're already down. We're just playing out time now."
That sense of defeatism is underlined by the fact Darlo have used 40 different players already – half of which appear to have been on loan. But the ship lacks a skipper because Steve Foster is consigned to 'gardening leave' on the substitutes' bench because his contract is too expensive for the cash-strapped club.
Darlington are clearly there for the taking – and should have been once City turned almost total possession into a breakthrough midway through the first half.
The visitors had already set up camp in the Darlo half when corner number six brought its reward. Scott Neilson, looking sharp on his recall, whipped it to the far post where Williams burrowed through to score with a stooping header.
That should have signalled a goal avalanche to match the recent tallies clocked up by Chesterfield, Morecambe and Notts County.
Had James Hanson buried the headed chances that came his way, City would indeed have won by a canter.
But opportunities kept coming and going. Bullock, seemingly destined never to get off the mark, shanked a shot while Simon Whaley's effort was deflected straight into the keeper by Michael Boulding.
The striker was one of three changes from midweek as McCall also switched formation to accommodate two wingers in a 4-4-2.
City should have been out of sight by the break, so the slender advantage at the interval caused a few concerns in the away dressing room.
But Darlington hardly crackled with attacking intent themselves. It took them until 12 minutes from time to win their only corner.
They did get better in the second half though, particularly after the introduction of Aston Villa rookie James Collins. He gave them a bit of spark up front, although Williams and the recalled Matt Clarke kept a tight rein on his battering ram partner Lee Thorpe.
As the game and City became scrappier, Darlington began to have more joy. But Simon Eastwood still only made one real save of note to cling on to a fierce drive from Jonathan Hogg, another Villa loanee.
So City answered the criticism to a degree and made it two wins from three. Now to register a long-overdue victory on home soil against Rotherham.
McCall admitted: "If we hadn't taken the three points it would have been doom and gloom. It was vital we took them and we did.
"Everyone was a bit anxious at half-time, saying that we needed the second goal under our belt. But the bottom line was that if we defended strongly and kept a clean sheet we'd win the game.
"We were a little bit sloppy but we still had opportunities and deserved the points. Now we want to put on a show at home where we've not won so many." Attendance: 2,744
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/4781449.Slowly_does_it_for_pace_ace_Daley/
Slowly does it for Bantams pace ace Daley
7:00pm Monday 7th December 2009
By Simon Parker
There will be no crowd as such. Even the one man and his dog who usually turn up for reserve games aren't invited.
But this afternoon's action behind closed doors at Hull's training ground certainly matters for Stuart McCall – and for one player in particular.
The manager's focus will be fixed on the City wing, where Omar Daley aims to take another few tentative steps on the long road to recovery.
After ten months out, any game is a big one for the Jamaican, who finally made his return last week against Oldham's second string.
His 45-minute outing at Stalybridge Celtic was nothing out of the ordinary. A couple of darts down the flank and a shot into the side-netting before Daley headed for the dug-out.
But it was a mental barrier safely negotiated – and that was the real significance.
McCall knows exactly how Daley must be feeling. A knee injury once robbed him of 11 months of his career.
He is well aware that – even for someone with Daley's electrifying pace – those faltering first steps are just as crucial as the big strides that everyone hopes the winger will soon be making.
McCall said: "We can't expect too much from him too early. Every manner of Omar's game needs working on because he has been out for so long.
"You don't come back straight away. It just doesn't work like that.
"Even when you've been out a couple of months before pre-season, it takes four or five games to get your sharpness back.
"Omar has been out for ten months so the rustiness is obviously evident.
"There will be things that he could do before that he won't be able to at this moment in time. You think of Omar beating two or three players and it will take a while for him to be able to do that again.
"The one thing you must not do is feel down about yourself. When I was out with my knee it was frustrating not being able to do everything straight away.
"You do worry that you will never get back to the level you were at before. But if you do all the rehab and keep working hard then the pieces will hopefully fall back in to place."
Not that McCall has any fears over Daley's presence of mind. Within days of the injury, the player was talking defiantly of coming back even better than before.
McCall added: "Omar is mentally strong and there is no pain in his knee whatsoever. He's a good kid who wants to do well and is totally focused on what he's doing.
"He's got the understanding to realise that he won't be able to do everything in the first game back or the second. It will add up and add up every time he goes out there as he builds up his match fitness, sharpness and the technical side of the game.
"You can do all the running and gym work but Omar's strengths are taking people on. That confidence to go past people will come and I'm sure he will be firing for us soon.
"Hopefully we'll see the best of him in the coming months and he can come in and play a big part in the rest of the season."
===========================
Eastwood: What's the score Stu?
7:20am Tuesday 8th December 2009
By Simon Parker
Simon Eastwood will press Stuart McCall for a clue about his City future.
The young keeper's loan at Valley Parade is up on New Year's Eve and Eastwood is keen to discover what will happen next.
Having played second fiddle to the highly-rated Alex Smithies at the Galpharm, the Huddersfield stopper would love to extend his chance of regular first-team football with the Bantams.
But with the on-going transfer speculation surrounding Smithies, there are no guarantees either way.
Eastwood admitted: "It's getting closer (to the end of the loan). I'll try to sit down with the gaffer this week and see what's going to happen.
"I would like to know what the two clubs think and whether they can agree something."
The latest Smithies rumour suggests Stoke will make a £3m offer next month and then loan him back for the rest of the season.
Everton, West Ham, Tottenham, Sheffield United and Middlesbrough are other names who have been linked with the England under-19 international.
Eastwood said: "I couldn't answer what's going on but obviously Alex is doing really well this season. There are a lot of other clubs interested in him and rightly so.
"If he does go, then you never know what might happen."
Eastwood has played every game for City so far and kept seven clean sheets – the same tally as Smithies.
Having replaced the experienced Rhys Evans, there were initial fears about the raw youngster but he has improved significantly in recent matches, notably with his penalty-saving heroics which saw City through two shoot-outs in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
Eastwood was not given too much to do at Darlington last weekend but he was relieved to shut out the basement side as City hit back from the home loss to Rochdale.
"We know Darlington are struggling but we had to go up there and win," he added.
"We wanted to get the previous game out of the system and had to do a job.
"The gaffer had said he wanted us to keep our heads up in training after the Rochdale game but that's easier said than done when you've had a bad result, especially at home.
"You're going to get bad games like that when you're not at the races and the opposition play well but you have to put it right and that's what we did.
"It was important to get the three points and I'm glad about the clean sheet, which was our second in a row away.
"We've got a tough run coming up and it would be nice to get a couple more."
Darlington (0) 0
Bradford C (1) 1 Williams 23
Att: 2,744
Stats: Darlington - Bradford C
Possession: 51 - 49%
Shots on target: 5 - 6
Shots off target: 1 - 9
Fouls: 14 - 11
Corners: 1 - 9
Ref: Neil Swarbrick (Preston)
Yellow cards:
Darlington: Hall (36 min), Harsley (41), Hogg (50), Thorpe (74)
Bradford C: Neilson (82)
Darlington: 13. Nick Liversedge, 3. Mark Bower, 32. Danny Hall, 19. Andrew
Milne, 20. Stuart Giddings, 28. Jonathan Hogg, 12. Josh Gray (73), 7. Jeff
Smith (73), 33. Paul Harsley, 30. Mor Diop (60), 9. Lee Thorpe.
SUBS: 25. Ashlee Jones (GK), 5. Stephen Foster, 14. Gary Smith, 15. Curtis
Main (73), 16. Danny Groves, 18. Mark Convery (73), 23. James Collins (60).
Bradford C: 1. Simon Eastwood, 2. Simon Ramsden, 3. Luke O'Brien, 12. Steve
Williams, 6. Matthew Clarke, 8. Lee Bullock, 4. Michael Flynn, 26. Scott
Neilson, 27. Simon Whaley (86), 14. Michael Boulding (63), 17. James Hanson.
SUBS: 13. Jon McLaughlin (GK), 9. Gareth Evans (63), 11. Chris Brandon, 16.
Jonathan Bateson, 18. Rory Boulding, 19. James O'Brien (86), 24. Louis
Horne.
Next matches: (H) Rotherham, Saturday Dec 12, 2009. K.O. 3:00PM
JPT(N): (A) Carlisle, Tuesday Dec 15, 2009. K.O. 7:30PM.
===========================
By Simon Parker (T&A)
Bradford City got back to winning ways after their midweek setback in a
scrappy clash with League Two whipping boys Darlington.
It was no classic but the Bantams left with the three points they had to get
ahead of the big games to come this month.
City showed no immediate signs of a Rochdale hangover as they pressed the
struggling hosts from the start.
Scott Neilson, one of three changes to the side from midweek, and Lee
Bullock both went close before City grabbed the lead midway through the
first half.
Steve Williams had just been denied from one corner. But nobody picked him
up from the next as the centre half nodded home Neilson's kick at the far
post after 23 minutes.
James Hanson should have extended the lead ten minutes later but City were
well in command at the break.
Darlington, skippered by Valley Parade old boy Mark Bower, had offered
little going forward and looked a side devoid of any confidence.
The second half began in the same vein with City pushing for the second goal
to surely put the game beyond Darlo. Michael Boulding deflected a Simon
Whaley shot straight at keeper Nick Liversedge and Hanson sliced wide after
more clever play from the livewire Neilson.
But City did not have the safety net of a second and Simon Eastwood was
called into action to save from sub James Collins and Jonathan Hogg as
Darlington rallied.
The last 20 minutes were more uncomfortable than they should have been but
City kept it tight to make sure of their fourth away win in the league.
===========================
Video and pics
http://www.darlofc.co.uk/news.php?NewsID=131
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1897109,00.html
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/4779684.Williams_redemption_gives_positive_reply/
Defender's text message gives team-mates belief
6:30am Monday 7th December 2009
By Simon Parker
Darlington 0, City 1
Steve Williams texted Michael Flynn after the Rochdale flop to say sorry for the way he'd played.
The big defender was distraught over the blunder which put the skids under City as they tumbled to the heaviest home loss of the season.
But four days on, Williams was the toast of his team-mates by scoring a redeeming winner in the north-east – and Flynn made sure he was at the front of the queue to say well done.
Flynn said: "For a player to send a text message like that shows how much he cares. I have full respect for Willo for doing that.
"But these boys here all care and they all want to do well for the manager. We were just as hurt as anybody else after Tuesday."
A lot of steam has been let off since Rochdale. Message boards have seethed with indignation following such an awful night.
Fans – not to mention the manager – were entitled to feel let down at the way such a hyped-up match swiftly turned into a one-sided non-event.
Normal service, of a sort, was restored in the eerily empty Darlington Arena on Saturday. City reacted with the right result, even if the way in which it was achieved was nothing to write home about.
The job got done with few frills or fuss. Against a side that had shipped 13 goals in three outings, one proved to be sufficient.
And how appropriate that it should come from the head of the novice defender who had taken the blame so personally for the previous slip-up.
Stuart McCall talked about the self-inflicted pressure City took into the game and nobody felt that more so than Williams.
McCall said: "People think of his last game and it wasn't his best. But you could say that about nine of them who were on the pitch that night.
"I had a good chat with Willo on Friday about his confidence and he's shown great character.
"You look at him throughout the season and he's been doing far better than we could have hoped for from where he's come from. But he's got to keep learning and he will do that."
Lee Bullock always makes the point that players are in League Two because of their inconsistency. If they were good enough to play at a decent level week in, week out, they wouldn't be plying their trade in the basement division.
It explains why results in this league fluctuate so wildly compared with higher up the food chain.
By the League Two law of averages, everyone will have a shocker or two at some point. It's how you respond next time out.
The most consistent results have been churned out by the boys at the bottom. They get beaten every week.
If City think they've got it bad, spare a thought for the long-suffering Darlo faithful; very few in number and pretty much devoid of hope.
A Darlington steward took exception to the "going down" chant from the boisterous away end. He argued: "They've got it wrong – we're already down. We're just playing out time now."
That sense of defeatism is underlined by the fact Darlo have used 40 different players already – half of which appear to have been on loan. But the ship lacks a skipper because Steve Foster is consigned to 'gardening leave' on the substitutes' bench because his contract is too expensive for the cash-strapped club.
Darlington are clearly there for the taking – and should have been once City turned almost total possession into a breakthrough midway through the first half.
The visitors had already set up camp in the Darlo half when corner number six brought its reward. Scott Neilson, looking sharp on his recall, whipped it to the far post where Williams burrowed through to score with a stooping header.
That should have signalled a goal avalanche to match the recent tallies clocked up by Chesterfield, Morecambe and Notts County.
Had James Hanson buried the headed chances that came his way, City would indeed have won by a canter.
But opportunities kept coming and going. Bullock, seemingly destined never to get off the mark, shanked a shot while Simon Whaley's effort was deflected straight into the keeper by Michael Boulding.
The striker was one of three changes from midweek as McCall also switched formation to accommodate two wingers in a 4-4-2.
City should have been out of sight by the break, so the slender advantage at the interval caused a few concerns in the away dressing room.
But Darlington hardly crackled with attacking intent themselves. It took them until 12 minutes from time to win their only corner.
They did get better in the second half though, particularly after the introduction of Aston Villa rookie James Collins. He gave them a bit of spark up front, although Williams and the recalled Matt Clarke kept a tight rein on his battering ram partner Lee Thorpe.
As the game and City became scrappier, Darlington began to have more joy. But Simon Eastwood still only made one real save of note to cling on to a fierce drive from Jonathan Hogg, another Villa loanee.
So City answered the criticism to a degree and made it two wins from three. Now to register a long-overdue victory on home soil against Rotherham.
McCall admitted: "If we hadn't taken the three points it would have been doom and gloom. It was vital we took them and we did.
"Everyone was a bit anxious at half-time, saying that we needed the second goal under our belt. But the bottom line was that if we defended strongly and kept a clean sheet we'd win the game.
"We were a little bit sloppy but we still had opportunities and deserved the points. Now we want to put on a show at home where we've not won so many." Attendance: 2,744
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/4781449.Slowly_does_it_for_pace_ace_Daley/
Slowly does it for Bantams pace ace Daley
7:00pm Monday 7th December 2009
By Simon Parker
There will be no crowd as such. Even the one man and his dog who usually turn up for reserve games aren't invited.
But this afternoon's action behind closed doors at Hull's training ground certainly matters for Stuart McCall – and for one player in particular.
The manager's focus will be fixed on the City wing, where Omar Daley aims to take another few tentative steps on the long road to recovery.
After ten months out, any game is a big one for the Jamaican, who finally made his return last week against Oldham's second string.
His 45-minute outing at Stalybridge Celtic was nothing out of the ordinary. A couple of darts down the flank and a shot into the side-netting before Daley headed for the dug-out.
But it was a mental barrier safely negotiated – and that was the real significance.
McCall knows exactly how Daley must be feeling. A knee injury once robbed him of 11 months of his career.
He is well aware that – even for someone with Daley's electrifying pace – those faltering first steps are just as crucial as the big strides that everyone hopes the winger will soon be making.
McCall said: "We can't expect too much from him too early. Every manner of Omar's game needs working on because he has been out for so long.
"You don't come back straight away. It just doesn't work like that.
"Even when you've been out a couple of months before pre-season, it takes four or five games to get your sharpness back.
"Omar has been out for ten months so the rustiness is obviously evident.
"There will be things that he could do before that he won't be able to at this moment in time. You think of Omar beating two or three players and it will take a while for him to be able to do that again.
"The one thing you must not do is feel down about yourself. When I was out with my knee it was frustrating not being able to do everything straight away.
"You do worry that you will never get back to the level you were at before. But if you do all the rehab and keep working hard then the pieces will hopefully fall back in to place."
Not that McCall has any fears over Daley's presence of mind. Within days of the injury, the player was talking defiantly of coming back even better than before.
McCall added: "Omar is mentally strong and there is no pain in his knee whatsoever. He's a good kid who wants to do well and is totally focused on what he's doing.
"He's got the understanding to realise that he won't be able to do everything in the first game back or the second. It will add up and add up every time he goes out there as he builds up his match fitness, sharpness and the technical side of the game.
"You can do all the running and gym work but Omar's strengths are taking people on. That confidence to go past people will come and I'm sure he will be firing for us soon.
"Hopefully we'll see the best of him in the coming months and he can come in and play a big part in the rest of the season."
===========================
Eastwood: What's the score Stu?
7:20am Tuesday 8th December 2009
By Simon Parker
Simon Eastwood will press Stuart McCall for a clue about his City future.
The young keeper's loan at Valley Parade is up on New Year's Eve and Eastwood is keen to discover what will happen next.
Having played second fiddle to the highly-rated Alex Smithies at the Galpharm, the Huddersfield stopper would love to extend his chance of regular first-team football with the Bantams.
But with the on-going transfer speculation surrounding Smithies, there are no guarantees either way.
Eastwood admitted: "It's getting closer (to the end of the loan). I'll try to sit down with the gaffer this week and see what's going to happen.
"I would like to know what the two clubs think and whether they can agree something."
The latest Smithies rumour suggests Stoke will make a £3m offer next month and then loan him back for the rest of the season.
Everton, West Ham, Tottenham, Sheffield United and Middlesbrough are other names who have been linked with the England under-19 international.
Eastwood said: "I couldn't answer what's going on but obviously Alex is doing really well this season. There are a lot of other clubs interested in him and rightly so.
"If he does go, then you never know what might happen."
Eastwood has played every game for City so far and kept seven clean sheets – the same tally as Smithies.
Having replaced the experienced Rhys Evans, there were initial fears about the raw youngster but he has improved significantly in recent matches, notably with his penalty-saving heroics which saw City through two shoot-outs in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
Eastwood was not given too much to do at Darlington last weekend but he was relieved to shut out the basement side as City hit back from the home loss to Rochdale.
"We know Darlington are struggling but we had to go up there and win," he added.
"We wanted to get the previous game out of the system and had to do a job.
"The gaffer had said he wanted us to keep our heads up in training after the Rochdale game but that's easier said than done when you've had a bad result, especially at home.
"You're going to get bad games like that when you're not at the races and the opposition play well but you have to put it right and that's what we did.
"It was important to get the three points and I'm glad about the clean sheet, which was our second in a row away.
"We've got a tough run coming up and it would be nice to get a couple more."
Thursday, December 03, 2009
L2 v Rochdale (h) L0-3 DEC 1 2009
Football League Two - KO 19:45
Bradford 0 (0) - 3(2) Rochdale
Dagnall 12 , 28
O'Grady 58
At Valley Parade on 01-12-2009
Bradford: Eastwood ,Ramsden ,Rehman (Bateson ,46 ) ,Luke O'Brien ,Williams ,Flynn ,Bullock ,James O'Brien (Neilson ,57 ) ,Evans (Michael Boulding ,72 ) ,Whaley ,Hanson
Subs not used: Clarke,Brandon,Rory Boulding,McLaughlan,
Rochdale: Heaton ,Thomas Kennedy ,Wiseman ,Stanton ,Dawson ,Taylor ,Jason Kennedy ,Thompson (Higginbotham ,53 ) ,Atkinson ,O'Grady ,Dagnall
Subs not used Toner,McArdle,Glover,Flynn,Taberner,Gray,
Bookings: Thomas Kennedy (Rochdale)
Attendance: 11472
Referee: Dave Foster (Newcastle)
As it happened (in reverse)
72' G. Evans is substituted out.
M. Boulding is substituted in.
58' C. O'Grady has scored a goal for Rochdale!
57' J. O'Brien is substituted out.
S. Neilson is substituted in.
54' T. Kennedy gets yellow.
53' J. Thompson is substituted out.
K. Higginbotham is substituted in.
46' Z. Rehman is substituted out.
J. Bateson is substituted in.
28' C. Dagnall has scored a goal for Rochdale!
12' C. Dagnall has scored a goal for Rochdale!
STAT ATTACK
Bantams / Dale
3 Shots On Target 8
5 Shots Off Target 8
8 Fouls (Conceded) 8
5 Corners 5
0 Yellow Cards 1
0 Red Cards 0
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/4770802.City_at_sixes_and_sevens_against_Dale/
Only Eastwood prevents total humiliation
7:10am Wednesday 2nd December 2009
By Simon Parker
City 0, Rochdale 3
Sorry City were completely overwhelmed as Rochdale roared to the top of the League Two table with as one-sided a
victory as you will see.
If it wasn't for Simon Eastwood, the only home player to emerge from a dismal night with any credit at all, the
goals against tally could have reached humiliating proportions.
City were frequently at sixes and sevens – thankfully the final winning margin did not reflect that.
Outplayed and outclassed. It was the worst possible way to kick off a potentially decisive December schedule.
Yet City's team selection had been no surprise. The unchanged line-up had earned another crack after the demolition
job of Grimsby.
Rochdale, whose purple kit was the spitting image of Harchester United from the Dream Team TV series, were missing
key midfielder Will Buckley with an ankle injury.
City began brightly, with James O'Brien firing in a decent effort and namesake Luke creating a half-chance for
Gareth Evans.
But Rochdale had chalked up impressive wins at Bournemouth and Dagenham in the last two away games and their
confidence was clear as they got forward whenever possible. Full backs Tom Kennedy and Scott Wiseman were not
scared to push up and link with midfield.
They hassled City into mistakes and Chris Dagnall, their top scorer with ten goals, turned Steve Williams inside
out to open up a sight of the target but luckily for City seemed to trip over his own feet.
But there was no escape when City coughed up a self-inflicted strike in the 12th minute. Williams scuffed a
clearance straight to Dagnall, who rounded James Hanson1 before working the ball beneath Eastwood.
It was a cheap goal to concede, especially against such dangerous opponents, and there was an edginess in the
stands as City struggled to get back into the game.
Williams claimed he was held by Chris O'Grady in the Dale box but referee Dave Foster was unimpressed. Evans then
tried to play in Michael Flynn but he was smothered by three purple shirts.
The place needed a lift and Simon Ramsden nearly supplied it against his old club with a thundering tackle on Will
Atkinson, before whipping in a bending cross that was just beyond James Hanson and the stretching Evans.
It got the crowd going but a City free-kick 25 yards out nearly proved their undoing.
Flynn's shot cannoned into the wall and suddenly Dale were on the break. Dagnall rode Rehman's desperate lunge on
the halfway line to charge away but his chip over the advancing Eastwood sailed wide.
But Dale were back on the offensive again and took a firm grip on proceedings with another goal after 28 minutes.
It came via left-wing crosses from O'Grady, who had already done more in just over half an hour than he managed in
a month on loan with the Bantams last season.
He picked out Dagnall, lurking with intent at the far post, whose initial close-range blast was well kept out by
Luke O'Brien. The rebound came straight back to the Dale hitman and although his connection was far from
convincing, the sliced effort completely bamboozled the grounded Eastwood.
It may have been a miskick but Dale's all-round superiority deserved the advantage.
City were reeling and their night threatened to get even worse as O'Grady found more room to deliver from the left.
Joe Thompson was on hand to convert but the assistant flagged for offside.
City won their first corner but Williams missed his header and Rehman's follow-up did not pack enough power.
Rochdale continued to threaten and Eastwood produced a fine double save to keep the deficit at two, first foiling
O'Grady and then getting across quickly to turn Atkinson's goal-bound effort over the bar.
City were getting the run-around and Thompson cut in dangerously to set up O'Grady. He sliced at the ball and this
time it bobbed gently into the keeper's hands.
City's own attack had been bottled up with Simon Whaley, the chief destroyer against Grimsby, getting no change at
all out of his former team-mates.
Lee Bullock's flick header from a free-kick was pouched by Tom James Hanson3 right on half-time but it did not save
City from a few frustrated boos when the whistle followed. The only saving grace from such a one-sided opening 45
minutes was that Rochdale were only two ahead.
Stuart McCall made a change for the second half, with skipper Rehman replaced by Jonathan Bateson. There were
plenty of candidates who could have made way.
Ramsden switched to centre half and given the task of shackling Dagnall before he did any more damage.
The drum in the TL Dallas Stand was pounding but the fans were waiting for signs of a recovery. James Hanson2
knocked down Whaley's cross but nobody reacted quick enough to the second ball on the edge of the penalty area.
Tom Kennedy received the game's only booking for tripping Whaley but the free-kick from a decent position came to
nothing.
Kennedy then handed City a corner with a bizarre fluffed clearance from halfway. Hanson could not get over his
half-volley from the set-piece.
Scott Neilson replaced James O'Brien but had not touched the ball before Rochdale bagged the third goal they had
long been threatening.
Dagnall was through again and, although Eastwood did well to keep him out, the rebound was snaffled at the second
attempt by O'Grady.
It looked all over bar the shouting even though the Bradford End continued to maintain an impressive wall of noise.
It was strains of the Accrington embarrassment from two seasons ago.
Sadly the only hope for their team was a Plymouth-style abandonment and the freezing rain was not heavy enough for
that.
Rochdale were seemingly queueing up to pile on the agony. Only Eastwood stood between Dale and a thumping as he
proceeded to foil O'Grady and substitute Kallum Higginbotham.
But City remained wide open as Rochdale cut them apart at will. Neilson back-pedalled to whisk the ball away from
Dagnall and Atkinson missed with a chip after the back four once again went walkabout.
McCall swapped Evans with Michael Boulding but the goal threat was only at one end. O'Grady again wreaked havoc to
find Dagnall but Ramsden was across in the nick of time to block.
By the end, the rain was coming down with full force – but it still wasn't the biggest shower on display.
Attendance: 11,472
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/4770848.City_just_no_match_for_Dale/
McCall accepts his team were well beaten by a far better side
7:40am Wednesday 2nd December 2009
By Simon Parker
Stuart McCall hailed League Two leaders Rochdale as the best side City have faced and admitted: We could not handle
them.
The Bantams were swept aside 3-0 at Valley Parade last night and were never in the game.
Two goals from Dale's leading scorer Chris Dagnall and another by former City loan striker Chris O'Grady sealed the
heaviest home defeat for two years.
Rochdale, who went top with their fourth straight away win, could have clocked up more goals as McCall's men were
blown away.
McCall said: "It was a poor night from us but you've got to give credit to Rochdale because they were excellent.
They were far and away the best team we've played.
"They dominated most areas of the park and Dagnall and O'Grady are the best strike partnership we've come up
against. We couldn't cope with them.
"I thought they were outstanding but that doesn't take away from our deficiencies. We weren't good enough.
"There are a lot of disappointed players in our dressing room as you can imagine. Apart from Simon Ramsden, Easty
(Simon Eastwood) and Scott Neilson when he came on, there are not many who can come away with any credit."
Eastwood's saves kept the score down as Dale seized control from the moment Dagnall pounced on a careless clearance
from Steve Williams.
McCall said: "It's a steep learning curve for a lot of our players. Look at Steve Williams, who's only been in the
league for a few months and will never have come up against a Dagnall or O'Grady. But we've got to learn and learn
quick.
"We'd had a good week's training and were all positive for the game after our result at Grimsby but it all stemmed
from the front two.
"We didn't put enough pressure on them and create anything on goal and Rochdale could have had more."
After being crushed by the leaders, City now head to basement side Darlington on Saturday and McCall will demand
that heads are back up at training tomorrow.
"It was a sore 90 minutes and a long 90 minutes but we've got to remember what we are aiming for," he said.
"Rochdale on that form will look to go on strong and finish in the top three. Our ambition realistically is to try
and get in the play-offs.
"We've got to make sure this result and performance doesn't put a pin in the balloon of what we are working for."
===========================
Winger picks up booking as he begins his comeback
9:38pm Wednesday 2nd December 2009
By Sports Desk
Omar Daley made his long-awaited return in a losing cause as City's reserves bowed out to Oldham 1-0 in the
totesport.com League Cup.
The flying winger played the opening 45 minutes at Stalybridge Celtic's Bower Fold ground as he recovers from knee
ligament damage.
Daley has been forced to watch from the sidelines since suffering the injury back in February and his return to
action in City colours will come as a welcome boost for all connected with the club.
Esdaile Biney scored the only goal after an hour against a Bantams side that also included two trialists.
Central defender Laurence Gaughan of Sheffield FC and Mike Brickhill of host club Stalybridge were handed a chance
to impress the watching Stuart McCall.
City could have edged in front as early as the seventh minute thanks to quick thinking by Rory Boulding, who set up
Luke Sharry with a clever flick.
Sharry raced into the box and forced Latics keeper Tomas Jones into a smart save with his legs.
Daley then exchanged passes with Boulding before firing a fierce shot across Jones' goal which whizzed just wide of
danger.
The winger picked up a booking for tugging back Djeny Bembo-Leta, having been warned earlier for a rash challenge.
Daley did not reappear for the second half and neither did defender Matt Clarke, whose troublesome back seemed to
hamper his movement.
===========================
From a pre-season article on an unofficial Rochdale website
The article is below and the link to the website is
http://www.clubfanzine.com/rochdale/v2.showNews.php?id=25864
In many ways,Bradford are the most difficult side in the division to predict where they'll finish. We all know
where they should be finishing.
If this was an Olympic 100m sprint, they'd be the ones lining up in the flash sports gear, with all the top
coaches, going on about past victories they'd enjoyed against world class sprinters. The rest of the division would
look like they'd just been dragged out the pub, wearing trainers where the right and left weren't even from the
same pair. On paper, nobody else in this division should stand a chance.
But over the past couple of years, Bradford have fast become part of the furniture down here. Of course, they still
enjoy outstanding support both home and away which could rival any level of support in this division over the past
twenty five years. After all, can you think of any other team since possibly Sheffield United back in the very
early 1980's to comfortably get five figure crowds for every single home game? But you have to question what good
it is actually doing them.
So looking at it the other way, maybe Bradford are the easiest team in the division to predict as what exactly has
changed over the Summer to suggest things will be any different at all down at Valley Parade this season? Was there
a great run of form late last season to suggest things were coming into place? Has there been an influx of cash? Is
there a crop of young talented players ready to be unleashed on the first team? Have they got rid of Stuart McCall?
There must be half a million different reasons why Stuart McCall has not been able to bring any success to Bradford
in the past couple of years. There may even have been some of those reasons which actually hold water, but having
operated on a budget that has been the envy of 90% of the clubs at this level, the days of getting away with being
new to the job must surely come to an end now that he's been in the job longer than well over half of his peers
heading into the 2009-10 season.
The question for me is whether there has been any proof so far that McCall is getting to grips with management.
Well respected coach he may have been but finishing 10th and 9th over the past couple of seasons is not really
evidence that this young manager is developing into a good young manager, especially when the likes of Dagenham,
Brentford and Bury comfortably leapfrogged the Bantams over the past season, despite far inferior budgets to
operate on.
That old adage of how he's still new to the job and learning the ropes must even make McCall laugh, and can anyone
still try using Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford as an excuse for not getting rid of a manager with a straight face?
We'd have McCall down as a favourite to be the first manager sacked, but he has certainly enjoyed the support from
a fanbase which tends to sympathise with him rather than be critical of him, and last season's comments from McCall
suggest that he's more likely to walk rather than be pushed. Well at least he'll claim that he'll walk, whether
he'll do it is a different matter altogether.
Perhaps we're being too harsh on McCall. But as an outsider, all we see is a manager who has struggled to compete
with sides put together on a pittance on what he has had to work with. I appreciate there are other issues such as
the huge rent that is paid on Valley Parade, for which a great percentage of the matchday income must go towards,
so it isn't quite the blank cheque book that many, including ourselves, have accused Bradford of having. But if
there are other reasons to defend McCall, I'd genuinely love to hear them.
So looking towards this forthcoming season, how is going to be any different for the Bantams this time out? Well
what we do know is that McCall is having to work with a reduced budget from the past two seasons, and despite any
differences of opinions there may have been between Hilly and McCall with respect to this budget when Simon Ramsden
signed for them, the indications seem to back up the reduced budget based upon the signings.
Last Summer saw them make a selection of signings that were almost Championship Manager style, as McCall went out
grabbed the division's top scorer, a top class midfielder with pedigree in Paul McClaren, and two defenders who'd
been there and done it at higher levels in Graeme Lee and Paul Arnison.
This Summer has been much more restrained. Our own Ramsden joined them, and whilst Rambo will always be thought of
affectionately at Spotland, he certainly wasn't a player who's position in our side was guaranteed with many
supporters pleased that his departure ensured the recall of Wiseman. Other signings include former Stone Roses
manager Gareth Evans who has joined from Macclesfield, and the permanent capture of loanee Zesh Rehman.
All in all, its hardly a case of a whole load of better players having arrived. In fairness, they've not lost
anybody that you'd particularly worry about. Paul McClaren went having failed to live up to the aforementioned
pedigree, Conlon has gone but he was far from a vital cog in the Bradford wheel and Graeme Lee has gone to join the
Sven revolution at Notts County as part of a Bradford wage cutting exercise.
The biggest concern would be up front. Thorne and Boulding still know where the back of the net us, but they will
go into 2009-10 with a combined age of almost 70. With their aging legs, despite more than capable of still doing a
job in League Two, will they really be as good this season as they were last season?
Comparing squad quality from this season to last, I'd have to say that they are marginally worse off this time
round and as such I can't see them finishing as high as they did last season, especially when their true position
of 9th last season was actually 11th taking the points deductions into account.
I think a failure to compete at the top will see the cracks start showing with McCall this year, and surely the
Bantams supporters cannot tolerate another season of suffering defeats to teams who are minnows in comparison and
settling for a place in the league table alongside the likes of Morecambe and Dagenham. It's not going to be
pleasant, and whilst there are many teams who would snap their hand off now for a position of 12th, is that really
good enough for Bradford City?
===========================
===========================
Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=46810838356
or search for
"City Forward! Mailing List"
***
Texas Bantams Blog
http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/
***
CFML since February 1997 is edited by Greg S. in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas
***
Thursday, November 26, 2009
L2 v Grimsby Town (a) W3-0 Nov 24th 2009
Football League Two - KO 19:45
Grimsby 0 (0) - 3(1) Bradford
Whaley 24
Williams 60
Hanson 82
At Blundell Park on 24-11-2009
Grimsby: Colgan ,Linwood ,Lancashire ,Sweeney ,Leary ,Bore ,Featherstone ,McCrory ,Shahin (Akpa Akpro ,64 ) ,Conlon
(Forbes ,82 ) ,Coulson (Wood ,76)
Subs not used: Clark,North,Oberton,Boshell,
Bradford: Eastwood ,Ramsden ,Rehman ,Luke O'Brien ,Williams ,Flynn ,Whaley ,Bullock ,James O'Brien ,Evans ,Hanson
Subs not used Clarke,Michael Boulding,Brandon,Rory Boulding,McLaughlan,Bateson,Neilson,
Bookings: None
Attendance: 3646
Referee: D Deadman (Cheshunt)
Stats
Possession
Grimsby 52% Bradford 48%
Attempts on target
Grimsby 2 Bradford 7
Attempts off target
Grimsby 8 Bradford 8
Corners
Grimsby 4 Bradford 4
Fouls
Grimsby 13 Bradford 9
===========================
Match photos
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1885323,00.html
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/4758033.New_boy_has_whale_of_a_time_on_the_coast/?re
f=rss
New boy has whale of a time on the coast
7:10am Wednesday 25th November 2009
By Simon Parker
Grimsby 0 City 3
Great Grimsby is the sign that greets drivers heading towards Cleethorpes.
It is a lofty claim that hardly refers to the second-from-bottom football team, who have not won a game for over
two months.
That record never looked like changing last night as the Bantams headed east and won with consummate ease.
Stuart McCall demanded a ruthless touch from his side after the frustrating string of draws. They could have won by
even more against awful opposition but he wasn't disappointed.
And what a capture Simon Whaley looks.
The new boy, given the first start of his loan from Norwich, clearly enjoys the North Sea air.
He ran the show at Blundell Park with Rochdale last month and crowned a similar livewire display for City with a
spectacular goal.
It was a night of pure misery for Neil Woods in his first game as full-time Grimsby boss. And especially for Barry
Conlon, who did nothing to worry his old club.
The strong wind sweeping down the ground was at City's backs for the first half and the ball was predictably
swirling around from the start.
After a ragged opening, City should have been ahead after nine minutes. James Hanson robbed centre half Paul
Linwood and slid an inviting ball across for Gareth Evans but the striker dragged his shot wide when he should have
hit the target.
Evans instantly turned provider by drilling in a decent centre of his own but James O'Brien failed to make contact.
City were mastering the difficult conditions and their control of the early possession was causing frustration in
the home stands. O'Brien had the room to let rip from distance but it sailed harmlessly high.
Grimsby could not get in the game at all as Flynn and O'Brien took a grip on midfield. Former Mariner Simon Ramsden
was getting all the room in the world down the right and Flynn should have done better when set up to cross.
But City got the goal their play deserved in the 24th minute – and what a goal it was.
Simon Eastwood's long punt downfield was picked up by Whaley 25 yards out and he hammered the shot past stunned
keeper Nick Colgan.
"Barry what's the score" taunted the away end, who booed every Conlon touch.
The goal stunned Grimsby into life at last and only a flying save from Eastwood denied Oliver Lancashire a quick
equaliser, superbly turning away his header from the night's first corner.
Then Jammal Shahin hung a cross dangerously on the wind. Eastwood came for it, realised he couldn't get there and
watched in relief as Conlon missed the ball completely.
But the threat was still there at the other end as Hanson flicked on another booming clearance from the keeper.
Whaley was on to it but scuffed his shot straight into the arms of a relieved Colgan.
City were letting themselves down with the number of offsides as the forwards mistimed their runs. It was fast,
frantic and untidy at times but they were looking fairly comfortable, although Flynn's low drive was never going to
trouble the keeper as half-time beckoned.
There was a scare in added time when Conlon was picked out totally unmarked in the box but the cross ran straight
under his foot – amid mass derision from the City fans ten yards away.
City could still step up another gear, and no doubt McCall would have rammed home that message at the break. On
recent form, 1-0 was dangerous territory for the Bantams, who could not afford to let another potential win slip
from their grasp.
If anything, the wind had increased its power as City forced an immediate corner which nearly curled straight in.
But Grimsby marched up the other end, Shahin catching City cold down the right and Nicky Featherstone was inches
away from levelling from 12 yards out.
There was plenty of work still to do for the visitors as the crowd finally started to make themselves heard.
But Whaley wasn't far off a second from a counter-attack, whistling another long-range effort close.
The loan man was looking a constant handful and intelligently set up Flynn, who surprisingly chose to tee up Evans
rather than shoot and a promising opportunity was gone.
A handball 25 yards from goal gave Flynn another chance to have a pop. Instead it was Whaley who took charge but
his low free-kick through the wall did not pack enough punch.
City needed a second to ease nerves and got it on the hour. Whaley kept a corner alive and got the ball back to
taker James O'Brien, whose cross was nodded towards his own goal by Damien McCrory.
It looked to be going straight in but Steve Williams made sure from close range with a small deflection. City had
that precious breathing space.
Grimsby threw on Jean-Louis Akpro as an extra striker but City should have been celebrating a third as Evans was
sent clear. The striker turned Lancashire inside out and fired for the far corner – but missed the target once
again.
Whaley continued to be the biggest threat and he cleverly latched onto O'Brien's miscued shot to volley over the
angle of bar and post with Colgan beaten.
Luke O'Brien, still eyeing his first goal of the season, hit the side-netting as he galloped upfield.
Grimsby had a brief flurry without threatening and it was no surprise when City made it 3-0 with eight minutes to
go. Again it was a precise finish from outside the box, Hanson slamming his seventh goal of the season with a
lethal left-footer.
Conlon's night was also over and he was subbed to an ironic chant of "Barry, Barry" from the City end.
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/4758031.McCall_delighted_after_good_night_all_round_for_City/
McCall delighted after good night all round for City
7:00am Wednesday 25th November 2009
By Simon Parker
Chuffed Stuart McCall was full of praise after City eased back to winning ways at struggling Grimsby.
Goals from Simon Whaley, Steve Williams and James Hanson clinched a 3-0 victory at blustery Blundell Park last
night.
City's first win in four games lifted them two places to tenth – and within two points of the play-offs.
City had drawn the last three, and McCall admitted: "We didn't want to put too much pressure on ourselves but we
knew this was a game we had to win. We've done that with an accomplished performance.
"We went back to the away system that has served us so well. Bully (Lee Bullock) did a lot of good unseen work for
us and the interplay of Evans, Hanson and Whaley up front was always a threat.
"They all had chances in the game and behind them I thought the midfield was strong. We've also defended solidly at
the back and Simon Eastwood made a couple of good saves.
"We've got to be stronger and harder to score against and beat.
"I'm absolutely delighted with the clean sheet, three goals and three points."
Whaley notched the first goal of his loan from Norwich and constantly troubled the Mariners' defence.
McCall added: "His control and touch was so assured in swirling conditions.
"He scored an excellent goal and his desire was there with the second when the ball came out and he kept the move
alive.
"At half-time we emphasised we needed the second goal and I thought we counter-attacked really well in the second
half.
"The side looked strong and solid and this has set us up well for the tough encounter coming up next against
Rochdale."
City, who have no game this weekend, face in-form Dale at Valley Parade next Tuesday.
Meanwhile, David Wetherall's young lads will hope to book a trip to Arsenal in the FA Youth Cup tonight when they
play the rearranged second-round home tie against Crewe (7pm).
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/4761726.Rehman__Asians_need_to_make_their_voices_heard/?ref=rss
Rehman: Asians need to make their voices heard
5:50pm Thursday 26th November 2009
By Harris Khan
Bradford is one of the nation's most ethnically diverse cities and plays a crucial role in the integration of cultures.
The Asian communities in Bradford make up the majority of the ethnic population but the one thing the city's different cultures share is their love for sport.
The soaring levels of local participation are undeniably astounding, with youngsters determined to play – from using their schoolbags as goalposts to dustbins as wickets.
So why aren't these individuals expressing the passion they so clearly have?
The question is often raised: with two great sides in the Bantams and the Bulls, why is it that the support of the Asian contingency continues to elude the city's elite clubs.
The Coral Windows Stadium is jam-packed every other Saturday afternoon with the City faithful who gather in numbers, however, in the midst of this crowd are a diminutive number of Asian faces.
This is a worrying spectacle, no more so than for City's very own Asian star Zesh Rehman.
The sturdy centre-half is the only Asian player to represent clubs in all four professional leagues.
He explained: "Many Asians are put off furthering themselves in the sport. It is a combination of negative stereotypes and a lack of role models.
"Previously, there was no one at the club for them to associate with, now we have a host of Asian backing at City."
City unveiled their first Asian associate director in July.
Lutfur Rahman's Manningham-based company Adworx Printing run Rehman's personal website and he has got to know the player well since he came to Valley Parade.
He follows in the footsteps of the big defender and City ambassador Omar Khan by increasing the Asian influence within the club.
Rehman, 27, has a Pakistani upbringing and also represents the Pakistan national side.
He, along with the rest of the Bantams, would benefit immensely with the support of the Asian community.
Certainly, it would be an even more overwhelming prospect for the opposition if an extra few thousand fans boosted the crowd from 11,500 to around 14,000 for every Valley Parade home game.
"I am seeing an incline in support from our Asian fans," said Rehman. "They are a part of this City and it is their club. Bradford are a massive club and with the likes of myself, Lutfur and Omar here we hope the support will grow."
Many youths express their support for other teams but even so, around the grounds of Old Trafford and Anfield the Asian supporters barely fill the stands.
Rehman insists Bradford are the club to watch.
"Ticket prices are great, you should come and support your local club and feel a part of the experience. It's a fantastic opportunity."
The Bantams defender urges the potential Asian fans of the future to integrate and says they can benefit their game by playing in mixed leagues. "They should be determined to succeed and make a difference – the main thing is integration. It's about achieving results."
With the expected launch of his very own football foundation in Bradford next year, Rehman hopes to create opportunities for everyone, not just the Asian community.
The scheme aims to help young people improve themselves as well-rounded individuals.
As City continue to top the attendance averages in League Two, the lack of Asian involvement is clearly visible but there is now a new hope that we could be nearing a turning point.
Ambassadors like Rehman and Khan are pushing the club and the city towards a bigger and brighter future.
Grimsby 0 (0) - 3(1) Bradford
Whaley 24
Williams 60
Hanson 82
At Blundell Park on 24-11-2009
Grimsby: Colgan ,Linwood ,Lancashire ,Sweeney ,Leary ,Bore ,Featherstone ,McCrory ,Shahin (Akpa Akpro ,64 ) ,Conlon
(Forbes ,82 ) ,Coulson (Wood ,76)
Subs not used: Clark,North,Oberton,Boshell,
Bradford: Eastwood ,Ramsden ,Rehman ,Luke O'Brien ,Williams ,Flynn ,Whaley ,Bullock ,James O'Brien ,Evans ,Hanson
Subs not used Clarke,Michael Boulding,Brandon,Rory Boulding,McLaughlan,Bateson,Neilson,
Bookings: None
Attendance: 3646
Referee: D Deadman (Cheshunt)
Stats
Possession
Grimsby 52% Bradford 48%
Attempts on target
Grimsby 2 Bradford 7
Attempts off target
Grimsby 8 Bradford 8
Corners
Grimsby 4 Bradford 4
Fouls
Grimsby 13 Bradford 9
===========================
Match photos
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1885323,00.html
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/4758033.New_boy_has_whale_of_a_time_on_the_coast/?re
f=rss
New boy has whale of a time on the coast
7:10am Wednesday 25th November 2009
By Simon Parker
Grimsby 0 City 3
Great Grimsby is the sign that greets drivers heading towards Cleethorpes.
It is a lofty claim that hardly refers to the second-from-bottom football team, who have not won a game for over
two months.
That record never looked like changing last night as the Bantams headed east and won with consummate ease.
Stuart McCall demanded a ruthless touch from his side after the frustrating string of draws. They could have won by
even more against awful opposition but he wasn't disappointed.
And what a capture Simon Whaley looks.
The new boy, given the first start of his loan from Norwich, clearly enjoys the North Sea air.
He ran the show at Blundell Park with Rochdale last month and crowned a similar livewire display for City with a
spectacular goal.
It was a night of pure misery for Neil Woods in his first game as full-time Grimsby boss. And especially for Barry
Conlon, who did nothing to worry his old club.
The strong wind sweeping down the ground was at City's backs for the first half and the ball was predictably
swirling around from the start.
After a ragged opening, City should have been ahead after nine minutes. James Hanson robbed centre half Paul
Linwood and slid an inviting ball across for Gareth Evans but the striker dragged his shot wide when he should have
hit the target.
Evans instantly turned provider by drilling in a decent centre of his own but James O'Brien failed to make contact.
City were mastering the difficult conditions and their control of the early possession was causing frustration in
the home stands. O'Brien had the room to let rip from distance but it sailed harmlessly high.
Grimsby could not get in the game at all as Flynn and O'Brien took a grip on midfield. Former Mariner Simon Ramsden
was getting all the room in the world down the right and Flynn should have done better when set up to cross.
But City got the goal their play deserved in the 24th minute – and what a goal it was.
Simon Eastwood's long punt downfield was picked up by Whaley 25 yards out and he hammered the shot past stunned
keeper Nick Colgan.
"Barry what's the score" taunted the away end, who booed every Conlon touch.
The goal stunned Grimsby into life at last and only a flying save from Eastwood denied Oliver Lancashire a quick
equaliser, superbly turning away his header from the night's first corner.
Then Jammal Shahin hung a cross dangerously on the wind. Eastwood came for it, realised he couldn't get there and
watched in relief as Conlon missed the ball completely.
But the threat was still there at the other end as Hanson flicked on another booming clearance from the keeper.
Whaley was on to it but scuffed his shot straight into the arms of a relieved Colgan.
City were letting themselves down with the number of offsides as the forwards mistimed their runs. It was fast,
frantic and untidy at times but they were looking fairly comfortable, although Flynn's low drive was never going to
trouble the keeper as half-time beckoned.
There was a scare in added time when Conlon was picked out totally unmarked in the box but the cross ran straight
under his foot – amid mass derision from the City fans ten yards away.
City could still step up another gear, and no doubt McCall would have rammed home that message at the break. On
recent form, 1-0 was dangerous territory for the Bantams, who could not afford to let another potential win slip
from their grasp.
If anything, the wind had increased its power as City forced an immediate corner which nearly curled straight in.
But Grimsby marched up the other end, Shahin catching City cold down the right and Nicky Featherstone was inches
away from levelling from 12 yards out.
There was plenty of work still to do for the visitors as the crowd finally started to make themselves heard.
But Whaley wasn't far off a second from a counter-attack, whistling another long-range effort close.
The loan man was looking a constant handful and intelligently set up Flynn, who surprisingly chose to tee up Evans
rather than shoot and a promising opportunity was gone.
A handball 25 yards from goal gave Flynn another chance to have a pop. Instead it was Whaley who took charge but
his low free-kick through the wall did not pack enough punch.
City needed a second to ease nerves and got it on the hour. Whaley kept a corner alive and got the ball back to
taker James O'Brien, whose cross was nodded towards his own goal by Damien McCrory.
It looked to be going straight in but Steve Williams made sure from close range with a small deflection. City had
that precious breathing space.
Grimsby threw on Jean-Louis Akpro as an extra striker but City should have been celebrating a third as Evans was
sent clear. The striker turned Lancashire inside out and fired for the far corner – but missed the target once
again.
Whaley continued to be the biggest threat and he cleverly latched onto O'Brien's miscued shot to volley over the
angle of bar and post with Colgan beaten.
Luke O'Brien, still eyeing his first goal of the season, hit the side-netting as he galloped upfield.
Grimsby had a brief flurry without threatening and it was no surprise when City made it 3-0 with eight minutes to
go. Again it was a precise finish from outside the box, Hanson slamming his seventh goal of the season with a
lethal left-footer.
Conlon's night was also over and he was subbed to an ironic chant of "Barry, Barry" from the City end.
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/4758031.McCall_delighted_after_good_night_all_round_for_City/
McCall delighted after good night all round for City
7:00am Wednesday 25th November 2009
By Simon Parker
Chuffed Stuart McCall was full of praise after City eased back to winning ways at struggling Grimsby.
Goals from Simon Whaley, Steve Williams and James Hanson clinched a 3-0 victory at blustery Blundell Park last
night.
City's first win in four games lifted them two places to tenth – and within two points of the play-offs.
City had drawn the last three, and McCall admitted: "We didn't want to put too much pressure on ourselves but we
knew this was a game we had to win. We've done that with an accomplished performance.
"We went back to the away system that has served us so well. Bully (Lee Bullock) did a lot of good unseen work for
us and the interplay of Evans, Hanson and Whaley up front was always a threat.
"They all had chances in the game and behind them I thought the midfield was strong. We've also defended solidly at
the back and Simon Eastwood made a couple of good saves.
"We've got to be stronger and harder to score against and beat.
"I'm absolutely delighted with the clean sheet, three goals and three points."
Whaley notched the first goal of his loan from Norwich and constantly troubled the Mariners' defence.
McCall added: "His control and touch was so assured in swirling conditions.
"He scored an excellent goal and his desire was there with the second when the ball came out and he kept the move
alive.
"At half-time we emphasised we needed the second goal and I thought we counter-attacked really well in the second
half.
"The side looked strong and solid and this has set us up well for the tough encounter coming up next against
Rochdale."
City, who have no game this weekend, face in-form Dale at Valley Parade next Tuesday.
Meanwhile, David Wetherall's young lads will hope to book a trip to Arsenal in the FA Youth Cup tonight when they
play the rearranged second-round home tie against Crewe (7pm).
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/4761726.Rehman__Asians_need_to_make_their_voices_heard/?ref=rss
Rehman: Asians need to make their voices heard
5:50pm Thursday 26th November 2009
By Harris Khan
Bradford is one of the nation's most ethnically diverse cities and plays a crucial role in the integration of cultures.
The Asian communities in Bradford make up the majority of the ethnic population but the one thing the city's different cultures share is their love for sport.
The soaring levels of local participation are undeniably astounding, with youngsters determined to play – from using their schoolbags as goalposts to dustbins as wickets.
So why aren't these individuals expressing the passion they so clearly have?
The question is often raised: with two great sides in the Bantams and the Bulls, why is it that the support of the Asian contingency continues to elude the city's elite clubs.
The Coral Windows Stadium is jam-packed every other Saturday afternoon with the City faithful who gather in numbers, however, in the midst of this crowd are a diminutive number of Asian faces.
This is a worrying spectacle, no more so than for City's very own Asian star Zesh Rehman.
The sturdy centre-half is the only Asian player to represent clubs in all four professional leagues.
He explained: "Many Asians are put off furthering themselves in the sport. It is a combination of negative stereotypes and a lack of role models.
"Previously, there was no one at the club for them to associate with, now we have a host of Asian backing at City."
City unveiled their first Asian associate director in July.
Lutfur Rahman's Manningham-based company Adworx Printing run Rehman's personal website and he has got to know the player well since he came to Valley Parade.
He follows in the footsteps of the big defender and City ambassador Omar Khan by increasing the Asian influence within the club.
Rehman, 27, has a Pakistani upbringing and also represents the Pakistan national side.
He, along with the rest of the Bantams, would benefit immensely with the support of the Asian community.
Certainly, it would be an even more overwhelming prospect for the opposition if an extra few thousand fans boosted the crowd from 11,500 to around 14,000 for every Valley Parade home game.
"I am seeing an incline in support from our Asian fans," said Rehman. "They are a part of this City and it is their club. Bradford are a massive club and with the likes of myself, Lutfur and Omar here we hope the support will grow."
Many youths express their support for other teams but even so, around the grounds of Old Trafford and Anfield the Asian supporters barely fill the stands.
Rehman insists Bradford are the club to watch.
"Ticket prices are great, you should come and support your local club and feel a part of the experience. It's a fantastic opportunity."
The Bantams defender urges the potential Asian fans of the future to integrate and says they can benefit their game by playing in mixed leagues. "They should be determined to succeed and make a difference – the main thing is integration. It's about achieving results."
With the expected launch of his very own football foundation in Bradford next year, Rehman hopes to create opportunities for everyone, not just the Asian community.
The scheme aims to help young people improve themselves as well-rounded individuals.
As City continue to top the attendance averages in League Two, the lack of Asian involvement is clearly visible but there is now a new hope that we could be nearing a turning point.
Ambassadors like Rehman and Khan are pushing the club and the city towards a bigger and brighter future.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)