L2 v Rochdale (A) W3-1 Feb 23rd 2010 / Signings

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Football League Two - KO 19:45
Rochdale      1 (1) - 3(1)    Bradford
Dagnall 45
                             Clarke 10
                                Threlfall 80
                                Evans 87
 
  At Spotland on 23-02-2010


Rochdale: Fielding ,Thomas Kennedy ,Wiseman ,Stanton ,Dawson ,Taylor ,Jones ,Atkinson (Haworth ,69 ) ,O'Grady

,Dagnall ,Obadeyi (Higginbotham ,59)
Subs not used: Toner,Arthur,McArdle,Jason Kennedy,Flynn,

Bradford: Glennon ,Ramsden ,Clarke ,Luke O'Brien ,Threlfall (Rehman ,88 ) ,Williams ,Flynn ,Bullock ,O'Neill

(Michael Boulding ,75 ) ,Evans ,Hanson
Subs not used Thorne,Osborne,McLaughlan,Bateson,Neilson,

Bookings: Obadeyi ,Stanton (Rochdale) Bullock (Bradford)

Referee: C Sarginson ()

TEAM STATS
Rochdale            Bradford
6(2)    Shots (on Goal)    11(3)
6    Fouls            13
7    Corner Kicks    6
1    Offsides    2
51%    Time of Poss.    49%
2    Yellow Cards    1
0    Red Cards    0
3    Saves            4



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T&A


How's that for starters as Threlfall proves an instant hit
7:00am Wednesday 24th February 2010
By Simon Parker

Rochdale 1 City 3

City went from zeroes to heroes in the space of three days with a stunning success against the leaders last night.

Few would have given them a prayer at Spotland after the Accrington loss.

But Peter Taylor's brilliant Bantams turned the table on its head with a result that would have wrecked every

betting slip.

It was hard-earned, fully-deserved – and clinched with two of the best strikes you will see all season.

The first came from debutant Robbie Threlfall, who provided a belting free-kick.

What's that about Taylor and his League Two Midas touch?

The second was another rocket finish, this time from Gareth Evans, who made sure of the points with three minutes

left.

Liverpool youngster Threlfall, the first of an expected rush of loan signings, had come straight in at left back.

But Luke O'Brien maintained his ever-present record in an advanced left midfield role as City lined up 4-5-1, with

James Hanson the lone striker. Michael Flynn set up as the most attacking midfielder.

The snow was swirling at kick-off, though the pitch, which had passed an afternoon inspection, looked no worse than

the one at Valley Parade.

City's travelling support was not surprisingly a lot down on Saturday – and nowhere near the 3,000 that made the

trip last season.

The visitors were heavy underdogs given current form but they had the first shot on goal, with Evans testing Frank

Fielding on the skidding surface.

And after ten minutes they had the first goal. Threlfall's corner was nodded goalwards by Lee Bullock and

Fielding's parry fell for Matt Clarke to ram home from eight yards out.

It was the first goal City had scored in nearly five hours of football – and no more than their bright start

warranted.

The strong wind behind them was certainly helping and Rochdale were caught out again as O'Brien got beyond Hanson

in the box and appealed unsuccessfully for a penalty.

But City were nearly undone from the resulting corner. O'Leary's miscontrol near halfway was seized on by Chris

O'Grady to send Gary Jones clear but the Rochdale skipper, with Clarke in hot pursuit, failed to keep his shot

down.

Taylor was getting his point across on the sidelines, leaving players in no doubt when they were doing something

wrong. But he must have been pleased with the response from the weekend.

Clarke was in the thick of it and flicked wide from another decent Threlfall corner.

Bullock picked up his ninth yellow card for a trip on Temitope Obadeyi and Matt Glennon had to be alive to turn

over Tom Kennedy's free-kick.

City continued to look sharp going forward. Bullock picked out Flynn's angled run and Hanson stretched to divert

his pass only inches wide.

Evans needed treatment after a collision with Fielding but it was leaders Rochdale who needed a chance to catch

their breath. O'Grady skied an effort on the resumption before Flynn showed him how it should be done with a

rasping half-volley on the turn which the keeper appeared to fingertip over, even though a goalkick was given.

The City fans were enjoying it as their team got stuck in. It was chalk and cheese compared with the Accrington

debacle.

Rochdale's wingers had swapped sides but Obadeyi's first involvement on the left was a booking for catching Evans

in the head.

Dale were pushing more as half-time approached – and City's previous good work was undone right on the break.

Annoyingly, it was another poor goal to add to the collection.

O'Grady used his strength to roll Steve Williams, who tried to win the ball instead of holding him up.

O'Grady supplied strike partner Chris Dagnall, who took a shot in his stride which wriggled under Glennon's body at

the near post. It was a soft way to cancel out all their previous efforts.

A half that had shown plenty of promise ended on a real bum note for the Bantams, and left them facing the prospect

of a second-half onslaught playing into the elements.

Thankfully the snow had eased by the restart, which began with a new yellow ball.

It soon settled into a predictable session of attack against defence as Rochdale chased a second goal. City needed

to start keeping the ball better.

Flynn won an early corner but referee Chris Sarginson rightly ignored shouts for handball against Nathan Stanton.

Dale countered and the tricky Obadeyi, now back on the right, cut inside O'Brien but saw his shot charged down.

Hanson did well to stoop and knock back Threlfall's hopeful pass and Evans unleashed an early strike that flew

wide.

Evans then picked out Hanson bursting into the box and he tried to play in Flynn but got too much on the ball.

Rochdale made the first sub on the hour with Obadeyi surprisingly withdrawn, although it has been a regular tactic

in recent games.

City escaped four minutes later from a corner. Will Atkinson's flick was missed by Dagnall coming in at the far

post and O'Grady scooped the ball over.

Then Scott Wiseman used his pace to zip past O'Brien to set up Dagnall for a tap-in, which Glennon just managed to

smother.

Bullock had an isolated chance for City but the bulk of the game was being played in their half.

Glennon had to time his dive perfectly to snaffle possession away from the sliding Dagnall.

But then, like Saturday, Hanson missed a glorious chance to put the Bantams back in front.

The big striker initially did well to latch on to Simon Ramsden's long pass and hold off Craig Dawson. Suddenly he

was goal-side just outside the six-yard box with only Fielding to beat – and jabbed the ball wide.

Taylor sensed the game was there for the winning again and added Michael Boulding as an extra striker.

Threlfall suddenly cut through from nowhere, only to be taken down on the edge of the box by Stanton. Flynn

cheekily put the ball on the penalty spot but the foul was inside the D.

Threlfall took the free-kick – and bent a spectacular effort over the wall and in off the keeper and bar.

Technically it hit Fielding last but it would be incredibly harsh to deny the new boy a dream finish and his first

senior goal.

And City sealed it with three minutes left with an even better strike.

Hanson nodded O'Brien's angled cross into the path of Evans and from 20 yards he almost broke the net with a

screamer into the top corner.

One win doesn't change a season. But this was a night to savour.

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Taylor hails 'brilliant' triumph at league leaders
7:20am Wednesday 24th February 2010
By Simon Parker

Peter Taylor watched City stun leaders Rochdale and purred: There were so many good things out there.

The Bantams notched their first win under the new boss – and only their second in 11 games – with a shock 3-1

victory at Spotland.

Stunning goals from debutant Robbie Threlfall and Gareth Evans topped off Matt Clarke's early opener to earn lavish

praise from Taylor.

He said: "I'm absolutely delighted with them. They are really pleased with themselves, and quite rightly so.

"There were so many good things but most importantly they realised that they got the result through hard work and

togetherness."

City were full value for the win as they bounced back from the abject display at Accrington.

And they did not buckle after Rochdale equalised just before half-time.

Taylor added: "That would have knocked a few teams down but we got stronger.

"It's been a brilliant night and it was a different changing room afterwards.

"I'd told the boys that you've got to earn everything in football and they've done that."

Taylor still expects to have another couple more new faces in before the end of the week. But given last night's

rousing display, he is unlikely to make too many changes for the home game against Darlington on Saturday.

Evans admitted City had to buck their ideas up.

The striker said: "The way we played at Accrington wasn't good enough to say the least. There weren't any

performers on the park that really deserved to keep their shirt.

"But we've gone to the in-form side in the league and put in a fantastic team effort.

"There have been times when the opposition have scored and we've bowed down a bit but that didn't happen – maybe

that's testament to the new manager and the confidence he has instilled.

"We got everything we deserved. But now we want to build on it and start getting some more points on the board."

Midfielder Chris Brandon, who started at the weekend, was not even named in the squad.

Taylor said: "Robbie came in so I had to make one change. That was the change I decided to make."

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Dales's comments

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/r/rochdale/8534068.stm?

Quote "We've got excellent players. We just came up against a good side in Bradford, a resolute side who came with

a game plan to contain us."

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Taylor: I want Jacobs to stay on

Peter Taylor sees Wayne Jacobs as his long-term No 2 at Valley Parade.

The new City boss is hoping to earn a deal at the club beyond the end
of the season.

He's a very good professional and a really honourable man and
hopefully he is as happy as I am with him

And if he does, Taylor will push for Jacobs to continue as his right-
hand man.

Jacobs is also out of contract in the summer and was facing an
uncertain future after Stuart McCall walked away a fortnight ago.

But Taylor has made it clear that he is very much part of his
management structure at City.

He said: "I'm definitely here for another 16 matches but hopefully
it can be a lot longer. And if it's down to me, Wayne Jacobs will be
here a lot longer.

"I know he was interested in the (manager's) job and quite rightly
so because he's been here a long time. As much as Wayne was
disappointed that he might have been overlooked on this occasion, he
has been absolutely first class with me.

"He's a very good professional and a really honourable man and
hopefully he is as happy as I am with him."

Junior Lewis, who has worked with Taylor at several clubs, will be
added to the coaching staff before the Darlington home game on
Saturday but Taylor stressed that Jacobs will always have a big say.

And he credited his assistant with the tactical ploy behind Tuesday's
stunning victory at leaders Rochdale.

Taylor said: "It was very important to me that Wayne stayed on and I
made that clear in my interview when we talked about the staff.

"He has been a great help with team selection. Before the Rochdale
game, he mentioned that he thought Michael Flynn could play in that
attacking position, which I wouldn't have known, and that was very
important to our performance."

Meanwhile, Taylor will ensure there is no slacking off in training as
City go from one extreme to the other by preparing to face rock-bottom
Darlo.

He said: "The players were determined on Monday and very determined
on Tuesday evening against the top team. Now we are playing the side
at the bottom but we've got to show the same desire."





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Lincoln City fundraiser for Burns Unit

http://www.redimps.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10440~1975483,00.html?


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http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/8537123.stm


Mark McCammon and Gavin Grant sign for Bradford City

Bradford City have made a dual signing by bringing in Gillingham striker Mark McCammon on a one-month loan, as well

as winger Gavin Grant.

Former Millwall and Wycombe man Grant, 25, who arrives on non-contract terms, played for new Bradford boss Peter

Taylor last season at Adams Park.

And much-travelled 31-year-old McCammon comes in search of first team football, having not started a game in 2010.

"Going out on loan will be good for him," said Gills boss Mark Stimson.

"He needs games and, if he comes back fit in four weeks, that would be great.

"We want him sharp and scoring goals," Stimson told BBC Radio Kent. "Then he could come back because we might need

someone like him.

"Last season he stepped in and put in a good shift. At the moment he's frustrated, like all the other boys who are

not playing.

"He didn't want to drop down to League Two, but it might get his career back on track."

McCammon started his career at Cambridge and has also played for Charlton Athletic, Swindon Town, Brentford,

Millwall, Brighton, Bristol City and Doncaster Rovers.

He had also been a target for Bradford's League Two Yorkshire rivals Rotherham United.

But Millers boss Ronnie Moore told BBC Radio Sheffield: "Everything seemed fine, then we had a call late on from

the agent saying he'd had a change of mind and he's going to Bradford. It's disappointing for us.

"Is it the ground? Is there some other reason why he's not come? It disappoints you because I know they get 11,000

or whatever it is they've got in season ticket holders there. Maybe he's gone for that reason."

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He is also the player who was threatened with a knife by ex-City loanee
Moses Ashikodi:-

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article1014967.ece

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City sign Grant

The Bantams have secured their second new player of the day with the
capture of Gavin Grant.

Following the earlier signing of Mark McCammon, Peter Taylor has made
Grant the third new face to arrive at the Coral Windows Stadium since
his appoint as manager just over a week ago.

Grant has joined the football club on a non-contract basis until
further notice as he looks to work his way back into football.

A non-contract deal basically means Grant will not receive a salary
for his time with the Bantams.

He will now go straight into contention for Saturday's match with
Darlington.

Both Grant and McCammon were joined at the club by Junior Lewis as the
first team coach started his first official day at Valley Parade.

He has been out of the game since leaving Wycombe Wanderers in March
2009 due to personal reasons.

The powerful and athletic winger, who can also feature as a striker,
is renowned for his lighting pace and tricky wing play.

The London born attacker started his career with local non-league
outfit Tooting & Mitcham, scoring 10 goals in 16 matches.

Such form earned him a jump up to league football with Gillingham.

After spending a season at Priestfield, Grant moved to Londerers
Millwall on a free transfer in 2006.

During his time at the New Den, the 26 year old featured in loans
spells at Gray Athletic and Stevenage Borough, where he first played
under Peter Taylor.

Taylor was reunited with Grant at Wycombe Wanderers when the paceman
signed at two year deal at Adams Park in 2008.

Grant will wear squad number 31 during his time at Valley Parade


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Some interesting links about the new boy:-

 http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article61072.ece

http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/4778266.Former_Wanderers_player_on_trial_for_murder/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gavin_Grant_%28footballer%29

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> Both Grant and McCammon were joined at the club by Junior Lewis as the
>first team coach started his first official day at Valley Parade.

Someone told me Lewis is married to Taylor's daughter!

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Taylor's first programme notes in City hotseat

Posted on: Fri 26 Feb 2010

*On the eve of his first home match in charge of the Bantams, Peter
Taylor's programme notes against Darlington are now available to view.*

"As soon as I found out there was a chance that Bradford were
interested in me, I was certainly interested in Bradford.

I was really enthusiastic to come here because of the potential of the
club.

There's no doubt it should be doing better than it is but you only have
to look at the size of the crowds it can attract. With a football club,
if you can do well and fill the stadium then you know it's a good club.


Following Stuart McCall is certainly not an easy thing to do. He is
quite rightly a legend at this club and a very respected figure.

But I couldn't wait to get up here and start work.

I love the enthusiasm of the fans but I would also like them to be a
bit patient as well. I know they are frustrated because this is a big
club that shouldn't be in the position we are in.

But if we can show a little bit of patience I think long term that will
help the players.

I've had two games to report since taking over and they couldn't have
been more different.

The first one at Accrington was a very poor performance, though I
wouldn't say it was down to lack of effort. More a lack of confidence maybe.


People get frustrated and it's the easiest thing to say the lads didn't
try. But that's wasn't the case - they want to do well and it just
didn't happen.

It was a poor performance that we were glad to get out the way.

Then incredibly we go to play the best team in the division and turn in
a terrific display.

There's no doubt in my mind that Rochdale will go up this season but I
thought we were magnificent. We showed great belief, togetherness and
desire and I couldn't have asked for any more.

I am still looking for new players and I will probably have brought in
a couple of new faces by this afternoon. But those players here now will
also be given every opportunity to impress me and show that they want to
be part of it as well.

The players were determined in training on Monday and very determined
on Tuesday evening against the top team.

Now we are playing the bottom team and we must show exactly the same
levels of determination and everything. You have to work for everything
in this game.

I must say I've been very pleased with the support I have had from
Wayne Jacobs.

When I asked about the staff during my interview, I can honestly say
that I wanted Wayne to stay as my assistant.

I know he was interested in the job and quite rightly so because he has
been here for a long time. As much as Wayne was disappointed that he
might have been overlooked on this occasion, it was very important to me
that he remained here.

He has been natural and absolutely first class with me and a great help
with team selection. Wayne mentioned to me before Rochdale that he
thought Michael Flynn could play in that attacking position which I
wouldn't have known. That type of thing is a big help.

Wayne is a very good professional and a really honourable man and I
hope he is as happy as I am working with him.

Junior Lewis, someone who I have worked with before, will be coming in
as a coach but Wayne is my assistant.

At the moment I'm here definitely for 16 matches but hopefully it will
be a lot longer. If that is the case, I would hope that Wayne Jacobs
will also be here a lot longer".

Enjoy the game



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