Football League Two - KO 15:00
Burton 3 (1) - 0 (0) Bradford
Harrad 31 (p)
Collins 54
Penn 88
At Pirelli Stadium, Burton on 23-10-2010
Next Fixture
Sat OCT 30 15:00 (H) Oxford United FL2
===========================
Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10266,00.html
Pictures
"Last Match" Highlights on Bantams Player
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/player/LastMatch/0,,10266~1612005~36,00.html
===========================
F.A Cup date confirmed
The football club can now confirm that the Bantams will play Colchester United in the F.A Cup sponsored by E.ON 1st
round on Saturday 6 November 2010.
The tie at the Weston Homes Community Stadium will kick off at 3.00pm.
The Bantams were handed their first ever trip to Colchester's two year old stadium in Sunday's televised 1st round
draw at Wembley Stadium.
City hope to be in a position shortly to confirm ticket prices for the match although it is expected that
supporters will be asked to pay on the turnstiles.
Match stats
Burton: Legzdins, Moore, Austin, Corbett, Malone, Bolder, McGrath, Maghoma, Harrad (Phillips, 81 ) , Young (Penn,
66 ) , Collins
Subs not used: Pearson,Stanton,Walker,Clancy,Dyer,
Bradford: McLaughlan, O'Brien, Williams, Gill, Brown, Daley ( Moult, 62 ) , Doherty, Osborne, Syers, Price (
Speight, 76 ) , Hanson
Subs not used: Oliver, Rehman, Chilaka, Bullock, Saxton,
Bookings: Moore (Burton) Gill (Bradford)
Attendance: 3143
Referee: B Malone ()
STAT ATTACK
Brewers Flat-suds
10 Shots On Target 8
10 Shots Off Target 7
17 Fouls (Conceded) 9
2 Corners 3
1 Yellow Cards 1
0 Red Cards 0
===========================
Monday morning report
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/8472165./
McLaughlin concedes cheap penalty opener to add to City frustration as mini-revival comes to an end
6:10am Monday 25th October 2010
By Simon Parker
Burton Albion 3, City 0
Peter Taylor charged to the edge of the pitch and clapped frantically.
The City boss shouted encouragement in Omar Daley's direction.
But they were words borne out of frustration; less "well done" and more of the "chin up" variety.
Daley had just sent a gilt-edged scoring chance into orbit – and with it went City's hopes of making it a third
week of good news.
The Jamaican remains the Valley Parade enigma; getting you leaping off the seat one minute and tearing your hair
out the next.
Taylor had said it himself when Daley publicly declared his intention to put his international commitments on the
backburner and focus all his energies on club football.
The Bantams boss described him as the player that will figure in the opposition's pre-match thoughts more than any
other; a potential match winner on his own.
And that should have been the case at the Pirelli Stadium on Saturday.
Daley had already stung the hands of goalkeeper Adam Legzdins on two occasions before the grand opportunity
presented itself midway through the first half.
It had been a wide-open contest, full of attacking intent from both sides. The pitch was befitting the Burton
groundsman's recent national award.
It was a stage made for Daley as James Hanson's clever touch sent him racing away.
A touch inside threw off right back Andy Corbett and suddenly he was bearing in on goal from an angle. Leon Osborne
was even better placed, unmarked eight yards out and screaming for the pass to tap home.
But the blinkers were on as Daley closed right in on Legzdins, only to blast high into the disbelieving away
support behind the goal.
Taylor's initial reaction was to show his support for the winger. But he was cursing inwardly. It was a key turning
point, as the boss acknowledged afterwards.
"That has got to be a goal," sighed Taylor. "You can't blast it over the bar from there.
"It's a real frustration because there has to be an end product from that position. If there's not, then you've got
problems."
That phrase "end product" seems to follow Daley around. But here was a case in point.
Taylor had put him back on the wing after Lee Hendrie pulled out with a tweaked hamstring.
Ideally, Daley would have been employed in the free role that worked so well against Barnet and Cheltenham. Taylor
wanted him to exploit the lack of pace of home centre halves Darren Moore and Ryan Austin – who was handed the role
late on when first-choice Nathan Stanton was snarled up in the traffic following a bad crash on the M1.
The Bantams boss did make the switch at half-time, pushing Daley to the tip of a midfield diamond. The move failed.
Daley saw little of the ball in his more central position. When he did, Moore was like an immovable rock against
his old club. Daley would have needed an Ordnance Survey map to get round him.
He was never the same player after the break and was subbed just after the hour. City, too, were a pale imitation
of their lively first-half display.
They kept the ball well enough and passed it about but everything was in front of the Burton defence, who were
happy to let them knock it about without any impact.
Hanson soldiered on without success; Jason Price, making his first start, never got a look-in from Moore.
The Brewers did not look like a side coming off three defeats. In winger Jacques Maghoma, they had the most
exciting player on the pitch.
He certainly gave Reece Brown a difficult afternoon in his final outing before returning with Oliver Gill to Old
Trafford's reserves.
Maghoma's cross set up the Burton opener, although Jon McLaughlin played the most significant part with his rush of
blood.
Scott Malone outjumped Luke O'Brien to nod down in the box but as Lewis Young latched on to the loose ball,
McLaughlin came crashing in to send him flying.
Referee Brendan Malone had a hapless game and was targeted by both managers. But on this occasion, even he could
not have had any doubts.
Last season, McLaughlin had made his name at the other end with a stunning save from 12 yards. This time, Shaun
Harrad gave him no chance with a thumping drive straight down the middle.
There was another blast to follow from Taylor over the keeper's rash decision to throw himself at Young in the
first place.
He said: "You just can't do that. You've got to play a little bit of cat and mouse there. The fella wasn't going to
shoot at that time, so you don't foul him from there.
"If you were a centre half, I'd tell you to stand up. It's no different with a goalkeeper."
Burton thought they'd got a second goal before the break. James Collins bounced a header off the post and former
City loanee Adam Bolder had two bites at the rebound.
McLaughlin blocked the first and the follow-up was drilled into the side-netting. Many in the crowd believed Bolder
had scored and the celebration music even kicked in.
City were still in the game at that stage. Within nine minutes of the restart, that hope had gone.
O'Brien was one of their best performers but he won't forget his Soccer AM moment. You can guarantee it will
produce a cheap giggle on Sky.
But nobody was laughing at the time when he completely lost his bearings after a challenge with Corbett. The ball
dropped at the left back's feet – only he didn't know it.
O'Brien spun round and round as he tried to find it but by then Bolder had pick-pocketed possession and his cross
was converted by Collins.
No comeback looked on the cards and Burton gave the final verdict a lop-sided look when Malone brushed past Brown
to set up substitute Russell Penn for a simple third. Attendance: 3,143
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/8475785.print/
Club captain to fill in on right after departure of loan duo
7:20am Wednesday 27th October 2010
By Simon Parker
Peter Taylor will consider another loan move for a right back – but not this week.
Zesh Rehman will be pressed into full-back duties again for Oxford's visit to Valley Parade on Saturday.
But City's defensive resources have been hit following the return of loan duo Reece Brown and Oliver Gill to
Manchester United.
Luke Oliver will come in at centre half because Shane Duff, who has been out for a month, is still troubled by his
Achilles.
And while Taylor is happy to play Rehman at right back again, he is concerned about the lack of specialist cover
for that position.
Simon Ramsden, who went under the knife five days ago to repair cartilage in his hip, and Lewis Hunt are both
sidelined until the new year. Brown's departure means Rehman is the only defender who can comfortably take up the
role.
The club captain helped City keep two clean sheets in his last league outings as a right back against Rotherham and
Barnet but Taylor does not view him as a long-term solution.
He said: "Zesh has done well when he's come in and I'm not saying he won't do a good job again. But to be fair,
Zesh will tell you that he sees himself as a centre half.
"We might need another right back because of Hunty and Rams being out for three months.
"I'm probably going to go with what we've got in the building this week and that means Zesh. But if the right one
comes along, we'll have another look at it."
Both Rehman and Oliver were spared reserve-team duty last night to protect them for Saturday.
Injuries continue to hit City hard and midfield rookie Ryan Harrison has been forced to cut short his loan with
Harrogate Railway. The winger suffered a stress fracture in his ankle and faces seven weeks out.
And Michael Flynn is preparing for another groin operation on Monday which will see him missing until January.
Taylor said: "I'm not convinced people realise how unhelpful our injuries have been. They see we've got 28 players
in the squad but eight or nine of those can't play at the moment."
City are more hopeful on Lee Hendrie for Saturday's game and Robbie Threlfall is close to a return from his back
problem.
===========================
Any word from the fan's forum last Wednesday?
From the City Message board
"! We are paying peanuts for Gill and Brown, though Taylor didn't seem overly optimistic of keeping hold of them.
- Gill and Brown had to play against Morecambe as part of the loan agreement, after the Rotherham game.
- Sounds like there's a good chance Price could be here beyond a month if all goes well, saying he could be our
20/25 goal a season man.
- Taylor wanted his position clarifying by the powers that be as loan targets (i.e Price) wanted assurances Taylor
would still be here once they signed.
- Taylor's 'disapointed' with the form of Speight and Moult. Preferred Oliver up top to give the team an easy
option.
- The proposed new training ground fell through because the woman in charge wouldn't let them know when they could
train and what pitches they could use. Not even letting them use one of the goal mouths one day a week .
- Opposition scouts frequent visitors to the training ground to look how we are going to set up for the next game.
- Hendrie's contract runs out 4th Jan.
- O'Brien prefers playing left back, as opposed to on the wing.
- Ramsden has always had calf trouble which may be down to a problem with his hip. "
===========================
UNITED PAIR LEAVE BRADFORD
Manchester United loanees Reece Brown and Oliver Gill have returned to Old
Trafford after their loan spells ended.
Brown and Gill have spent the last month on loan at Valley Parade and
Bradford City manager Peter Taylor was keen to keep hold of the two
defenders.
Taylor said: "We would have liked to have kept them for a little longer, but
we believe United need them to fulfil some reserve matches.
"It's a shame because I think they've enjoyed it. They have both done some
good things for us and I think they would have got better if they'd stayed
longer."
Gill, son of United chief executive David, has played in all five of the
Bantams' league games since his arrival, while Brown, brother of United
defender Wes, has made three appearances despite a knee injury.
===========================
LOUIS HORNE LOANED TO FLEETWOOD
Fleetwood have signed young Bradford City defender Louis Horne on a
three-month loan deal.
Horne, who can play at either centre-back or left-back, won Bradford City's
Young Player of the Year award in 2009.
The 19-year-old goes straight into the squad for the FA Cup fourth
qualifying round tie against Buxton on Saturday.
He is the second addition to promotion chasing Fleetwood's defence this
week, following the loan signing of Sean Gregan from Oldham Athletic.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Special Guest To Attend Oxford Fixture
From the Official BCFC website.
You really should look at the website to see the images.
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2197547,00.html
SPECIAL GUEST TO ATEND OXFORD FIXTURE
Mary Needham, the granddaughter of Bradford City's first ever chairman
(Alfred Ayrton), will be an invited guest at the Coral Windows Stadium this
Saturday.
Mary, aged 79, will be in the crowd as the Bantams take on Oxford United to
attend her first ever league football match.
She recently donated a magnificent illuminated silver presentation case to
Bradford Museums and Galleries to help make up a very special forthcoming
exhibition.
To commemorate the centenary of City's 1911 F.A Cup triumph, an exhibition -
When the FA Cup Came Home - will be held at Bradford Industrial Museum from
Saturday 19th March 2011 until Sunday 12th June 2011.
The exhibition will illustrate how the team, officials, supporters and the
wider community played their part in arguably the most famous and popular
triumph in Bradford's history - a victory made even more remarkable by the
club becoming the very first recipient of the current trophy, designed and
produced by Fattorini's of Bradford.
The presentation case donated by Mary to the exhibition was given to her
grandfather when he retired as Bradford City chairman in 1907 along with his
portrait in oils.
The solid silver case was made by Fattorini's of Bradford and was signed by
board members at the time including Harry Jowett (chairman), A Fattorini, A
Lancaster and others.
David Pendleton will give a talk on Alfred Ayrton's significance to the club
before the Oxford United game this Saturday in the Bantamspast museum (above
the Surridge Superstore) at 2pm.
Mary will be in attendance between 1:30pm and 2:30pm on Saturday afternoon
to meet fans and hear the talk on her Grandfather.
Alfred saved Manningham Rugby Club from closure when he became their
president in 1900. He later drove through the conversion of Manningham Rugby
Club to football and the birth of Bradford City.
The illuminated case was given to Alfred Ayrton on his retirement as the
Chairman of Bradford City on January 29th 1907.
Mary Needham will then watch her first football match and meeting the
present chairman, directors and fans.
===
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
L2 (h) v Cheltenham W3-1 Sat Oct 16th 2010 K.O. 3pm
Npower League Two
Bradford C (1) 3 Seyers 32, Hendrie 74, Hanson 87
Cheltenham (1) 1 Low 7
Att: 10,537
Next fixture
L2 (a) v Burton A. Sat Oct 23rd 2010 K.O. 3pm
===========================
Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10266,00.html
Pictures
http://www.ctfc.com/page/GalleryIndex/0,,10434,00.html
"Last Match" Highlights on Bantams Player
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/player/LastMatch/0,,10266~1612005~36,00.html
===========================
Match stats
Stats: Bradford C - Cheltenham
Possession: 58 - 42%
Shots on target: 5 - 2
Shots off target: 11 - 5
Fouls: 6 - 7
Corners: 7 - 1
Ref: Darren Drysdale (Lincolnshire).
Yellow cards:
Bradford C: Doherty (28 min.)
Cheltenham: Pack (88 min.)
Bradford C: 1. Jon McLaughlin, 26. Reece Brown, 29. Oliver Gill, 12. Steve
Williams, 3. Luke O'Brien, 23. Dave Syers, 8. Tommy Doherty (82), 11. Lee
Hendrie, 14. Leon Osborne, 17. James Hanson (90), 7. Omar Daley (46).
SUBS: 13. Lloyd Saxton (GK), 5. Zesh Rehman, 6. Luke Oliver, 10. Jake
Speight, 19. Louis Moult (90), 22. Lee Bullock (82), 30. Jason Price (46).
Cheltenham: 1. Scott P Brown, 2. Keith Lowe, 5. Andy Gallinagh, 22. Steve
Elliott, 3. Danny Andrew, 17. Theo Lewis (54), 7. Michael Pook (45), 24.
Marlon Pack, 8. Joshua Low, 11. Brian Smikle, 10. Jeff Goulding.
SUBS: 12. Daniel Lloyd-Weston (GK), 14. John Melligan, 16. Kyle Haynes, 18.
Jake Lee, 20. Frankie Artus (45), 21. Shaun Jeffers (54), 23. Robin Shroot.
===========================
Saturday evening match report
By Simon Parker (T&A)
Bradford City left Valley Parade to a standing ovation after coming from
behind to beat Cheltenham 3-1.
Second-half strikes from acting skipper Lee Hendrie and James Hanson made it
back-to-back wins.
The Bantams were good value for the victory as confidence soared through the
side. They were unrecognisable from the team that has stuttered through so
many home games.
City's first-half display was the best 45 minutes they had produced all
season. But somehow they only went in level.
From the start, there was a buzz about the home side's display with Hanson,
in his first start since the end of August, twice forcing saves from keeper
Scott Brown.
But it was Cheltenham who stunned Valley Parade by taking the lead from
their first attack. City were caught ball-watching as Josh Low whipped an
early shot past Jon McLaughlin.
To their credit, City cleared their heads and came again.
More chances followed and they were rewarded with a 32nd-minute equaliser,
David Syers heading home his third City goal after great persistence from
Luke O'Brien.
Amazingly, it was City's first first-half goal since August 14.
Jason Price came on for the second half after Omar Daley went off with a
groin problem.
Cheltenham had survived the storm and it took City another 20 minutes to win
a corner.
But the breakthrough their overall control deserved finally arrived with 15
minutes left.
Reece Brown's early cross was turned back into the danger zone by Leon
Osborne. Price steered a header across goal where Hendrie turned it home
with a neat overhead from close range. It was Hendrie's first goal since
January 2009.
And City made sure of the points when Hanson drilled home from 25 yards
three minutes from the end.
Peter Taylor had promised a reward for the home fans -and his players
certainly delivered.
===========================
Monday morning report
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/8457687./
Hendrie a hit as captain in rousing win for Bradford City
8:10am Monday 18th October 2010
By Simon Parker
Bradford City 3 Cheltenham 1
When Lee Hendrie trudged off to be subbed at Barnet last week, Peter Taylor met him with an arm around the shoulder
and a pep talk.
The midfielder was miffed to be missing out as City got the ball rolling in their recovery bid.
But Taylor picked him up with some timely words of encouragement.
Hendrie said: "I was a bit disappointed coming off but the gaffer felt I'd had a lot of games and needed a
breather. And then he said how he really fancied me to score next week ..."
Taylor's prediction proved absolutely spot on as Hendrie broke a goal duck dating back to January 2009.
But there was one surprise the player didn't see coming – the captain's armband.
Hendrie became City's fifth skipper in a dozen league games, though it was a first in his career.
He said: "I don't think I've ever been the skipper before. It was just nice to put the armband on and to get a
result made it even better.
"But we're all leaders out there. I've got a winning record as the captain now and hopefully I'll stick with that.
"Everyone's been cheesed off with not getting results but this was waiting to happen. We could have had six or
seven.
"I'm pleased for the team and for the gaffer because there were a few doubters. People were looking for someone to
blame.
"It was just a case of getting everyone together and get the place buzzing again."
And what a way for Hendrie to open his City account, breaking the stalemate with a well-placed overhead kick just
at the point when it seemed that Cheltenham might sneak into the night with the most fortunate of draws.
Debutant Jason Price cushioned Leon Osborne's chip across goal and there was Hendrie waiting to pounce with a
classy finish over his shoulder.
"It was a big weight off my shoulders," he admitted. "The chance I missed against Morecambe early on has been on my
mind.
"I've been close the last few weeks with little bits around the box but I was just waiting for that next chance.
But as soon as it was in the net, I was looking round to see if it was offside or anything.
"We needed to score and I was absolutely made up."
It was a special moment in an afternoon full of them.
Taylor had told the players it was time they rewarded the Valley Parade faithful – and how they responded.
This was light years away from the tepid efforts the fans have suffered in previous home games.
What a difference a couple of weeks, a few goals and a win or two can make. Suddenly those who were penning
Taylor's managerial obit are left thinking again.
The first back-to-back wins of the season have only moved City up to 19th but they now sit a point closer to the
play-offs than the relegation places!
For 90 minutes, City finally looked like the side so strongly tipped by the bookies. There were positives
everywhere.
Even the shock of going a goal down to Cheltenham's first shot refused to dampen the enthusiasm and desire.
City had come storming out of the blocks – only to find themselves trailing by the seventh minute.
A couple of chances had already passed by when right back Keith Lowe's long pass glanced off Oliver Gill and
dropped in the home box. Reece Brown made the only blot on his encouraging display when he was slow to track Josh
Low and the visitors had sneaked the lead.
It was the sixth time City had conceded the first blow. The previous five times had all led to defeats.
But the players – and fans – were not cowed. Heads were cleared, chins raised and City continued to set a high
tempo.
James Hanson had been preferred to Price up front and he added a huge presence going forward. Taylor hoped to get
an hour out of his first start for nearly two months; the big man lasted virtually the whole lot and saved the best
until last by whipping in the third goal to clinch the points.
Hanson twice threatened in a first half which saw 13 City attempts on goal. The very least they deserved was an
equaliser on 32 minutes.
Zesh Rehman had made way to accommodate Brown's return. And maybe had Shane Duff been fit to face his old club,
Luke O'Brien's place could have been under threat. But if there's one individual who has played with the conviction
and consistency that has generally proved so elusive in the opening couple of months, it's the local lad on the
left.
O'Brien's enthusiasm for the job was summed up by the way he would not give up on the ball on the Cheltenham
byline, took it past the stumbling Lowe and then crossed for David Syers to restore his position as top scorer with
a diving header.
Syers' late inclusion after Tom Adeyemi turned an ankle in training was equally justified. Time and again he
provided the legs and energy to complement the guile of Hendrie and the excellent Tom Doherty at the heart of
City's play.
Doherty demonstrated the full range of his passing skills and also tracked back with a perfectly-timed lunge on Low
when Cheltenham made a rare foray into the home box.
The crowd were on their feet to applaud City off at half-time. When did that last happen?
The question was whether the home side could complete their first come-from-behind win since beating Barnet in
April.
Price replaced the injured Omar Daley for the second half as Taylor went big and bigger up front.
The Welshman held the ball up well – Taylor reckoned he had improved since they last worked together at Hull in
2006 – and it was his cushioned header which led to Hendrie's decisive strike with 15 minutes left.
Price could immediately have had one of his own with a dink over the keeper and Syers volleyed narrowly wide as
Scott Brown plunged to his left post.
But the last word fell to Hanson. Again Price started it with a controlled lay-off, then it was all down to last
year's top scorer. One touch, two, then three engineered enough space to whip in a 20-yarder early which Brown
never saw.
Cue another richly-deserved standing ovation and suddenly the next game can't come soon enough.
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/8457670./
'Brilliant' Bradford City fans earn round of applause from Taylor
7:40am Monday 18th October 2010
By Simon Parker
Peter Taylor felt the fans should take as much credit as his team for City's best display of the season.
The Bantams made it two wins on the bounce after coming from behind to beat Cheltenham 3-1 at Valley Parade.
Goals from David Syers, Lee Hendrie and James Hanson sealed their first comeback victory in the league since April.
Taylor praised the huge contribution from off the field as well as on it and hopes that a corner may have been
turned with the supporters.
"We're absolutely desperate to make it a great relationship where our players want to play well in front of the
fans and I think that happened.
"I can applaud the players and also the supporters for that. They made it a good place for our players to play,
which is terrific.
"The reaction from the supporters when (Cheltenham) scored was absolutely brilliant. They didn't go mad; they
lifted us.
"Thankfully for us, the players had the same reaction. They weren't going to let that goal mess us up and were
determined to get the win."
Jason Price came off the bench as Taylor gave Hanson his first start since August 27. The targetman had only played
five minutes at Barnet last week and Taylor was amazed he lasted a full game.
He added: "We never dreamt James would have 90 (minutes) and I probably thought we'd get an hour out of him.
"Some of the things he did showed that was still a little bit out of touch but the headers he won were very good
and he did well.
"We spoke about getting the ball wide, getting some crosses in and bodies into the box and playing with tempo. I
think the boys carried that out brilliantly."
Hendrie's goal was his first for two seasons and crowned his display as stand-in skipper.
Taylor added: "I made him captain because he was the most experienced player we'd got.
"We'd run out of captains a little bit and the staff felt it was right for him.
"When I brought him in, I was hoping he'd been exactly the same as he was when he played for the (England)
Under-21s. To be fair, his ability and knowledge is exactly the same.
"Lee is a very clever player round the box. He's still hungry and hasn't come here just for a little holiday – he's
come here to do well.
"He's got that smile around the place and is always good to work with."
City will today check on Omar Daley's groin problem which forced him off at half-time.
===========================
FA CUP DRAW ON SUNDAY
The draw for the FA Cup first round will be made on Sunday, 24th October,
2010.
The draw will be shown live during a special FA Cup programme on ITV1
between 12:30 and 1:30PM.
The final qualifying round will take place this Saturday.
The 48 League One and Two teams will be joined by 32 non-league sides.
This season's FA Cup contest marks the 100th since Bradford City won the
competition in 1911.
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/8459126./
Daley groin injury not serious, says Bantams boss Taylor
7:40am Tuesday 19th October 2010
By Simon Parker
Omar Daley has been given the all-clear to run Burton ragged.
The Jamaican did not appear for the second half of City's win over Cheltenham after feeling a pain in his groin.
But Peter Taylor has dismissed any fears that Daley could be joining the Valley Parade casualty list.
Taylor said: "It's not serious and he was feeling better after the game.
"But you can't take a chance when it's a strain like that. It's like a sprinter, who has got to be confident in
himself.
"If Omar had any negative thoughts in his head about his groin then he would only be going half pace in the second
half. There's no point in that."
Daley has been employed in a free role up front for the last two games – which have seen City turn the tables with
a maximum six-point haul.
Taylor believes the licence to roam can bring out the best in a player who can thrill and frustrate in equal
measure.
"I was pleased with him on Saturday," added the City boss. "He started making runs without the ball behind people,
which causes defenders all sorts of problems.
"Omar is so flippin' quick and if he can start adding that to his game then he will be even more of a threat.
"He's got to start doing that a bit more and he knows that. We all know about the end product and I want to start
seeing him sprinting at goal."
Tom Adeyemi has also recovered from the twisted ankle which forced him to miss the weekend's success.
Taylor said: "There was a little bit of a chance of him playing. We could have taken the risk and started him but
felt it was right to play David Syers, and he looked very good.
"It's given me a problem now but it's a good one to have."
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/8458745./
Syers: Bantams fans gave us confidence to go out an express ourselves
8:50am Tuesday 19th October 2010
By Simon Parker
It was the most enjoyable training session David Syers has known.
So much for the pressure of playing at home!
The midfielder compared the Valley Parade atmosphere on Saturday with a good session at Apperley Bridge. But with
over 10,000 people watching to cheer you on.
Syers echoed Peter Taylor's sentiments about the huge part the City fans played in the most convincing performance
of the season.
"There was a hush round the ground when we went a goal down," he said. "Then you heard the fans start clapping and
encouraging us.
"It could have gone the other way with the fragile confidence we've had but that reaction was great and helped us
all.
"There's a different feeling when you play with a smile on your face and knowing that 10,000 fans are behind you is
unbelievable.
"When confidence is high and people are enjoying what they're doing, everyone's showing for the ball. You've got
options every time you get the ball and nobody's hiding.
"It feels so much like a training session. It's so much fun to be knocking it around and you can try things knowing
they'll come off."
Having learned his trade along the unglamorous route of Farsley Celtic, Ossett Town and Harrogate Town, the novelty
of an expectant City crowd will take a long time to wear off.
Syers admits he still has to pinch himself at times.
"Some of the moments when there's a lull in play, you just hear that crowd and it gives you such a lift. For
someone who's used to playing in front of 200 or 300, it's a completely different world," he said.
"It takes your breath away a bit and gives you that extra ten per cent to keep going.
"I haven't had a lot of game time in the last few weeks and was definitely feeling it towards the end. But you
don't stop running when you've got that many fans behind you."
Syers sparked the City fightback when he headed home Luke O'Brien's cross from a trademark late dash into the box.
With three goals to his name now, he once again tops the scoring pile as his reputation for popping up with big
goals continues to grow.
He added: "The gaffer's always telling me to get in the box and it's something I pride myself on as a midfielder.
"OB did great work down the left, beat his man and I couldn't really miss. "I used to chip in with goals when I was
younger but as I came into the men's game, I hadn't had my growth spurt so I was put at right back.
"I've moved back to where I was as I've grown into the game.
"I've always looked to score goals and it seems the higher I play and with the quality of people you're playing
with, those runs get rewarded more."
Syers' display will give Taylor food for thought ahead of the Burton trip, with Tom Adeyemi fit again after
recovering from a twisted ankle. It's a welcome conundrum to decide between two energetic players on form.
Syers said: "I know my body took a bit of time to adjust to playing full-time football. I had a couple of knocks
and illnesses as you get used to it.
"But I'm feeling stronger now and more confident to get on the ball and try things that I wouldn't have done in the
past.
"At first, you don't want to be the one to make a mistake and give it away, so you do the simple thing every time
and pass the buck on to someone else to take responsibility.
"But the more I'm playing, the more I feel I can get involved in the play."
===========================
===========================
Jason Price
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Price
http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?playerid=9299
Radio Leeds interview
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/9085913.stm
===========================
Zesh in Guardian
Good piece featuring Zesh talking about his Foundation in the Guardian.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/oct/13/zesh-rehman-football-asian-community
===========================
Bradford C (1) 3 Seyers 32, Hendrie 74, Hanson 87
Cheltenham (1) 1 Low 7
Att: 10,537
Next fixture
L2 (a) v Burton A. Sat Oct 23rd 2010 K.O. 3pm
===========================
Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10266,00.html
Pictures
http://www.ctfc.com/page/GalleryIndex/0,,10434,00.html
"Last Match" Highlights on Bantams Player
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/player/LastMatch/0,,10266~1612005~36,00.html
===========================
Match stats
Stats: Bradford C - Cheltenham
Possession: 58 - 42%
Shots on target: 5 - 2
Shots off target: 11 - 5
Fouls: 6 - 7
Corners: 7 - 1
Ref: Darren Drysdale (Lincolnshire).
Yellow cards:
Bradford C: Doherty (28 min.)
Cheltenham: Pack (88 min.)
Bradford C: 1. Jon McLaughlin, 26. Reece Brown, 29. Oliver Gill, 12. Steve
Williams, 3. Luke O'Brien, 23. Dave Syers, 8. Tommy Doherty (82), 11. Lee
Hendrie, 14. Leon Osborne, 17. James Hanson (90), 7. Omar Daley (46).
SUBS: 13. Lloyd Saxton (GK), 5. Zesh Rehman, 6. Luke Oliver, 10. Jake
Speight, 19. Louis Moult (90), 22. Lee Bullock (82), 30. Jason Price (46).
Cheltenham: 1. Scott P Brown, 2. Keith Lowe, 5. Andy Gallinagh, 22. Steve
Elliott, 3. Danny Andrew, 17. Theo Lewis (54), 7. Michael Pook (45), 24.
Marlon Pack, 8. Joshua Low, 11. Brian Smikle, 10. Jeff Goulding.
SUBS: 12. Daniel Lloyd-Weston (GK), 14. John Melligan, 16. Kyle Haynes, 18.
Jake Lee, 20. Frankie Artus (45), 21. Shaun Jeffers (54), 23. Robin Shroot.
===========================
Saturday evening match report
By Simon Parker (T&A)
Bradford City left Valley Parade to a standing ovation after coming from
behind to beat Cheltenham 3-1.
Second-half strikes from acting skipper Lee Hendrie and James Hanson made it
back-to-back wins.
The Bantams were good value for the victory as confidence soared through the
side. They were unrecognisable from the team that has stuttered through so
many home games.
City's first-half display was the best 45 minutes they had produced all
season. But somehow they only went in level.
From the start, there was a buzz about the home side's display with Hanson,
in his first start since the end of August, twice forcing saves from keeper
Scott Brown.
But it was Cheltenham who stunned Valley Parade by taking the lead from
their first attack. City were caught ball-watching as Josh Low whipped an
early shot past Jon McLaughlin.
To their credit, City cleared their heads and came again.
More chances followed and they were rewarded with a 32nd-minute equaliser,
David Syers heading home his third City goal after great persistence from
Luke O'Brien.
Amazingly, it was City's first first-half goal since August 14.
Jason Price came on for the second half after Omar Daley went off with a
groin problem.
Cheltenham had survived the storm and it took City another 20 minutes to win
a corner.
But the breakthrough their overall control deserved finally arrived with 15
minutes left.
Reece Brown's early cross was turned back into the danger zone by Leon
Osborne. Price steered a header across goal where Hendrie turned it home
with a neat overhead from close range. It was Hendrie's first goal since
January 2009.
And City made sure of the points when Hanson drilled home from 25 yards
three minutes from the end.
Peter Taylor had promised a reward for the home fans -and his players
certainly delivered.
===========================
Monday morning report
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/8457687./
Hendrie a hit as captain in rousing win for Bradford City
8:10am Monday 18th October 2010
By Simon Parker
Bradford City 3 Cheltenham 1
When Lee Hendrie trudged off to be subbed at Barnet last week, Peter Taylor met him with an arm around the shoulder
and a pep talk.
The midfielder was miffed to be missing out as City got the ball rolling in their recovery bid.
But Taylor picked him up with some timely words of encouragement.
Hendrie said: "I was a bit disappointed coming off but the gaffer felt I'd had a lot of games and needed a
breather. And then he said how he really fancied me to score next week ..."
Taylor's prediction proved absolutely spot on as Hendrie broke a goal duck dating back to January 2009.
But there was one surprise the player didn't see coming – the captain's armband.
Hendrie became City's fifth skipper in a dozen league games, though it was a first in his career.
He said: "I don't think I've ever been the skipper before. It was just nice to put the armband on and to get a
result made it even better.
"But we're all leaders out there. I've got a winning record as the captain now and hopefully I'll stick with that.
"Everyone's been cheesed off with not getting results but this was waiting to happen. We could have had six or
seven.
"I'm pleased for the team and for the gaffer because there were a few doubters. People were looking for someone to
blame.
"It was just a case of getting everyone together and get the place buzzing again."
And what a way for Hendrie to open his City account, breaking the stalemate with a well-placed overhead kick just
at the point when it seemed that Cheltenham might sneak into the night with the most fortunate of draws.
Debutant Jason Price cushioned Leon Osborne's chip across goal and there was Hendrie waiting to pounce with a
classy finish over his shoulder.
"It was a big weight off my shoulders," he admitted. "The chance I missed against Morecambe early on has been on my
mind.
"I've been close the last few weeks with little bits around the box but I was just waiting for that next chance.
But as soon as it was in the net, I was looking round to see if it was offside or anything.
"We needed to score and I was absolutely made up."
It was a special moment in an afternoon full of them.
Taylor had told the players it was time they rewarded the Valley Parade faithful – and how they responded.
This was light years away from the tepid efforts the fans have suffered in previous home games.
What a difference a couple of weeks, a few goals and a win or two can make. Suddenly those who were penning
Taylor's managerial obit are left thinking again.
The first back-to-back wins of the season have only moved City up to 19th but they now sit a point closer to the
play-offs than the relegation places!
For 90 minutes, City finally looked like the side so strongly tipped by the bookies. There were positives
everywhere.
Even the shock of going a goal down to Cheltenham's first shot refused to dampen the enthusiasm and desire.
City had come storming out of the blocks – only to find themselves trailing by the seventh minute.
A couple of chances had already passed by when right back Keith Lowe's long pass glanced off Oliver Gill and
dropped in the home box. Reece Brown made the only blot on his encouraging display when he was slow to track Josh
Low and the visitors had sneaked the lead.
It was the sixth time City had conceded the first blow. The previous five times had all led to defeats.
But the players – and fans – were not cowed. Heads were cleared, chins raised and City continued to set a high
tempo.
James Hanson had been preferred to Price up front and he added a huge presence going forward. Taylor hoped to get
an hour out of his first start for nearly two months; the big man lasted virtually the whole lot and saved the best
until last by whipping in the third goal to clinch the points.
Hanson twice threatened in a first half which saw 13 City attempts on goal. The very least they deserved was an
equaliser on 32 minutes.
Zesh Rehman had made way to accommodate Brown's return. And maybe had Shane Duff been fit to face his old club,
Luke O'Brien's place could have been under threat. But if there's one individual who has played with the conviction
and consistency that has generally proved so elusive in the opening couple of months, it's the local lad on the
left.
O'Brien's enthusiasm for the job was summed up by the way he would not give up on the ball on the Cheltenham
byline, took it past the stumbling Lowe and then crossed for David Syers to restore his position as top scorer with
a diving header.
Syers' late inclusion after Tom Adeyemi turned an ankle in training was equally justified. Time and again he
provided the legs and energy to complement the guile of Hendrie and the excellent Tom Doherty at the heart of
City's play.
Doherty demonstrated the full range of his passing skills and also tracked back with a perfectly-timed lunge on Low
when Cheltenham made a rare foray into the home box.
The crowd were on their feet to applaud City off at half-time. When did that last happen?
The question was whether the home side could complete their first come-from-behind win since beating Barnet in
April.
Price replaced the injured Omar Daley for the second half as Taylor went big and bigger up front.
The Welshman held the ball up well – Taylor reckoned he had improved since they last worked together at Hull in
2006 – and it was his cushioned header which led to Hendrie's decisive strike with 15 minutes left.
Price could immediately have had one of his own with a dink over the keeper and Syers volleyed narrowly wide as
Scott Brown plunged to his left post.
But the last word fell to Hanson. Again Price started it with a controlled lay-off, then it was all down to last
year's top scorer. One touch, two, then three engineered enough space to whip in a 20-yarder early which Brown
never saw.
Cue another richly-deserved standing ovation and suddenly the next game can't come soon enough.
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/8457670./
'Brilliant' Bradford City fans earn round of applause from Taylor
7:40am Monday 18th October 2010
By Simon Parker
Peter Taylor felt the fans should take as much credit as his team for City's best display of the season.
The Bantams made it two wins on the bounce after coming from behind to beat Cheltenham 3-1 at Valley Parade.
Goals from David Syers, Lee Hendrie and James Hanson sealed their first comeback victory in the league since April.
Taylor praised the huge contribution from off the field as well as on it and hopes that a corner may have been
turned with the supporters.
"We're absolutely desperate to make it a great relationship where our players want to play well in front of the
fans and I think that happened.
"I can applaud the players and also the supporters for that. They made it a good place for our players to play,
which is terrific.
"The reaction from the supporters when (Cheltenham) scored was absolutely brilliant. They didn't go mad; they
lifted us.
"Thankfully for us, the players had the same reaction. They weren't going to let that goal mess us up and were
determined to get the win."
Jason Price came off the bench as Taylor gave Hanson his first start since August 27. The targetman had only played
five minutes at Barnet last week and Taylor was amazed he lasted a full game.
He added: "We never dreamt James would have 90 (minutes) and I probably thought we'd get an hour out of him.
"Some of the things he did showed that was still a little bit out of touch but the headers he won were very good
and he did well.
"We spoke about getting the ball wide, getting some crosses in and bodies into the box and playing with tempo. I
think the boys carried that out brilliantly."
Hendrie's goal was his first for two seasons and crowned his display as stand-in skipper.
Taylor added: "I made him captain because he was the most experienced player we'd got.
"We'd run out of captains a little bit and the staff felt it was right for him.
"When I brought him in, I was hoping he'd been exactly the same as he was when he played for the (England)
Under-21s. To be fair, his ability and knowledge is exactly the same.
"Lee is a very clever player round the box. He's still hungry and hasn't come here just for a little holiday – he's
come here to do well.
"He's got that smile around the place and is always good to work with."
City will today check on Omar Daley's groin problem which forced him off at half-time.
===========================
FA CUP DRAW ON SUNDAY
The draw for the FA Cup first round will be made on Sunday, 24th October,
2010.
The draw will be shown live during a special FA Cup programme on ITV1
between 12:30 and 1:30PM.
The final qualifying round will take place this Saturday.
The 48 League One and Two teams will be joined by 32 non-league sides.
This season's FA Cup contest marks the 100th since Bradford City won the
competition in 1911.
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/8459126./
Daley groin injury not serious, says Bantams boss Taylor
7:40am Tuesday 19th October 2010
By Simon Parker
Omar Daley has been given the all-clear to run Burton ragged.
The Jamaican did not appear for the second half of City's win over Cheltenham after feeling a pain in his groin.
But Peter Taylor has dismissed any fears that Daley could be joining the Valley Parade casualty list.
Taylor said: "It's not serious and he was feeling better after the game.
"But you can't take a chance when it's a strain like that. It's like a sprinter, who has got to be confident in
himself.
"If Omar had any negative thoughts in his head about his groin then he would only be going half pace in the second
half. There's no point in that."
Daley has been employed in a free role up front for the last two games – which have seen City turn the tables with
a maximum six-point haul.
Taylor believes the licence to roam can bring out the best in a player who can thrill and frustrate in equal
measure.
"I was pleased with him on Saturday," added the City boss. "He started making runs without the ball behind people,
which causes defenders all sorts of problems.
"Omar is so flippin' quick and if he can start adding that to his game then he will be even more of a threat.
"He's got to start doing that a bit more and he knows that. We all know about the end product and I want to start
seeing him sprinting at goal."
Tom Adeyemi has also recovered from the twisted ankle which forced him to miss the weekend's success.
Taylor said: "There was a little bit of a chance of him playing. We could have taken the risk and started him but
felt it was right to play David Syers, and he looked very good.
"It's given me a problem now but it's a good one to have."
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/8458745./
Syers: Bantams fans gave us confidence to go out an express ourselves
8:50am Tuesday 19th October 2010
By Simon Parker
It was the most enjoyable training session David Syers has known.
So much for the pressure of playing at home!
The midfielder compared the Valley Parade atmosphere on Saturday with a good session at Apperley Bridge. But with
over 10,000 people watching to cheer you on.
Syers echoed Peter Taylor's sentiments about the huge part the City fans played in the most convincing performance
of the season.
"There was a hush round the ground when we went a goal down," he said. "Then you heard the fans start clapping and
encouraging us.
"It could have gone the other way with the fragile confidence we've had but that reaction was great and helped us
all.
"There's a different feeling when you play with a smile on your face and knowing that 10,000 fans are behind you is
unbelievable.
"When confidence is high and people are enjoying what they're doing, everyone's showing for the ball. You've got
options every time you get the ball and nobody's hiding.
"It feels so much like a training session. It's so much fun to be knocking it around and you can try things knowing
they'll come off."
Having learned his trade along the unglamorous route of Farsley Celtic, Ossett Town and Harrogate Town, the novelty
of an expectant City crowd will take a long time to wear off.
Syers admits he still has to pinch himself at times.
"Some of the moments when there's a lull in play, you just hear that crowd and it gives you such a lift. For
someone who's used to playing in front of 200 or 300, it's a completely different world," he said.
"It takes your breath away a bit and gives you that extra ten per cent to keep going.
"I haven't had a lot of game time in the last few weeks and was definitely feeling it towards the end. But you
don't stop running when you've got that many fans behind you."
Syers sparked the City fightback when he headed home Luke O'Brien's cross from a trademark late dash into the box.
With three goals to his name now, he once again tops the scoring pile as his reputation for popping up with big
goals continues to grow.
He added: "The gaffer's always telling me to get in the box and it's something I pride myself on as a midfielder.
"OB did great work down the left, beat his man and I couldn't really miss. "I used to chip in with goals when I was
younger but as I came into the men's game, I hadn't had my growth spurt so I was put at right back.
"I've moved back to where I was as I've grown into the game.
"I've always looked to score goals and it seems the higher I play and with the quality of people you're playing
with, those runs get rewarded more."
Syers' display will give Taylor food for thought ahead of the Burton trip, with Tom Adeyemi fit again after
recovering from a twisted ankle. It's a welcome conundrum to decide between two energetic players on form.
Syers said: "I know my body took a bit of time to adjust to playing full-time football. I had a couple of knocks
and illnesses as you get used to it.
"But I'm feeling stronger now and more confident to get on the ball and try things that I wouldn't have done in the
past.
"At first, you don't want to be the one to make a mistake and give it away, so you do the simple thing every time
and pass the buck on to someone else to take responsibility.
"But the more I'm playing, the more I feel I can get involved in the play."
===========================
===========================
Jason Price
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Price
http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?playerid=9299
Radio Leeds interview
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/9085913.stm
===========================
Zesh in Guardian
Good piece featuring Zesh talking about his Foundation in the Guardian.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/oct/13/zesh-rehman-football-asian-community
===========================
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
L2 (A) v Barnet w2-0, Saturday October 9, 2010. K.O. 3:00PM
Football League Two - KO 15:00
Barnet 0 (0) - 2 (0) Bradford
Osborne 65
Adeyemi 69
At Underhill Stadium on 09-10-2010
Next fixture
L2 (h) v Cheltenham, Sat Oct 16th 2010 K.O. 3pm
===========================
Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10266,00.html
Pictures
"Last Match" Highlights on Bantams Player
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/player/LastMatch/0,,10266~1612005~36,00.html
===========================
Match stats
Barnet: Cole, Parkes, Basey (Uddin, 47 ) , Kamdjo, Francomb, Jarvis, Marshall, Vilhete, Hughes, Holmes, Walsh
Subs not used: Devera,Carpenter,Cox,Yorke,Simpson,
Bradford: McLaughlan, Rehman, O'Brien, Williams, Gill, Hendrie ( Speight, 66 ) , Daley ( Syers, 73 ) , Doherty, Osborne, Adeyemi, Oliver ( Hanson, 88 )
Subs not used: Chilaka, Bullock, Saxton, Moult,
Bookings: Marshall (Barnet) Daley , O'Brien (Bradford)
Attendance: 2435
Referee: K Hill (Hertfordshire)
STAT ATTACK
Bees Bees Knees
3 Shots On Target 5
4 Shots Off Target 4
11 Fouls (Conceded) 14
4 Corners 3
1 Yellow Cards 2
0 Red Cards 0
===========================
Saturday evening match report
TAYLOR SURVIVES ANOTHER DAY
Under-fire manager Peter Taylor was relieved to see his Bradford City side
see off fellow strugglers Barnet 2-0.
The Bantams boss has been under pressure following a disappointing start to
the League Two season and it was even suggested he could lose his job if
City failed to win at Underhill on Saturday.
But goals from Leon Osborne and Tom Adeyemi gave Bradford their first away
win of the season - and their first victory in five games in all
competitions - to lift the West Yorkshire club out of the bottom two places.
"I know there has been a few little things in the press - that it could have
been the last game for me and all that type of thing, which I didn't
believe," said Taylor. "But I think there were a lot of players that were
really up for it and it was good to see. Of course you think about the
rumours about my job but I know this squad is a good squad.
"I do know that if that had have happened and I would've gone, whoever came
in would have got a very good squad."
Taylor added: "You know, we haven't made too much of it or tried to make
excuses but we have had a lot of injuries and I would say there are five or
six players that could have played but didn't."
---
Follow up article
Bantams boss Taylor unhappy at national press speculation regarding his future
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/8445025./
===========================
Monday morning report
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/8443470./
Date and opposition were portents of doom but Taylor is made of sterner stuff
7:00am Monday 11th October 2010
By Simon Parker
Barnet 0 Bradford City 2
He charged on to the pitch with fists pumping furiously.
The frustration that had been boiling up inside was blown away in the instant City finally found the net.
Nobody needed to ask Peter Taylor what that first goal – and ultimately much-needed victory – really meant.
His wild reaction to Leon Osborne's opener was clear for everyone to see.
Around him, loyal lieutenants Wayne Jacobs and Junior Lewis joined in a bear-hug embrace. The substitutes, in their
green bibs, could not be restrained either as they joined this spontaneous outpouring of Bantams emotion.
All right, dismiss it as "only" Barnet. And there are still plenty of questions to be answered.
One win, however welcome, does not suddenly put everything right after a wretched first couple of months. But it
was a step in the right direction, which is all Taylor had asked for at the end of a tough week.
His credentials have come under the spotlight, not just locally but nationally with the absence of top-division
matches and gossip ensuring that his current plight suddenly became news everywhere.
Barnet, hit with injuries just like City, may not have sounded the worst assignment for somewhere to stop the rot.
But they have a scary tendency to turn Grim Reaper for opposing managers under pressure.
The thought process with twitchy chairmen seems to be that if you can't beat Barnet, you won't beat anyone.
Last season, defeats to the Bees did for Stuart Gray at Northampton and Darlington's Steve Staunton.
And eight days before City's visit, a 2-0 defeat for Hereford spelt the end of the road for Simon Davey.
I'm sure the significance of the date wouldn't have passed Taylor by either.
The corresponding weekend in 2007 saw him relieved of the managerial post at Crystal Palace and the same time 12
months ago brought an end to his Wycombe reign.
In what was seen as a "must-win" match for his prospects, the omens seemed stacked up against him.
But Taylor has been through it all in his many years on the managerial merry-go-round. His bullish attitude in the
pre-match build-up revealed a deep-rooted confidence in his own methods that refused to be shaken, despite some
dire results.
That still didn't stop him responding like an excited schoolboy when that first goal went in.
"I looked up and saw the green bibs on the pitch and the gaffer going mad," said Osborne. "There was a real buzz
about the place.
"You could tell that it was massive throughout the club. The whole team lifted as soon as the goal went in – it was
like everyone had scored.
"We've stuck together in the last couple of weeks on the training ground and in the changing room. It's been so
frustrating because we know it's been coming for us and you could see what it meant."
How ironic that a goal drought that had just ticked past seven hours should be put to bed by a guy who had never
scored before.
Taylor has championed Osborne's cause since throwing him into the three-man frontline which finished last season so
strongly.
But after a stuttery couple of months hampered by injury and illness, the winger's contribution this term had been
minimal.
Handed his first start on Saturday, Osborne had hardly shone in the first hour.
Then he touched a ball to Tommy Doherty – who had taken Lee Bullock's place in midfield – and charged off
anticipating the return. It came straight into his path as he cut past flat-footed centre half Anwar Uddin and
dispatched it with a clean strike across the keeper.
Suddenly the shackles were thrown off. City were re-energised – and scored again four minutes later.
This time it was Omar Daley, playing in a free role alongside Luke Oliver up top, who was the provider with the
pass of the match to send Tom Adeyemi streaking clear. The youngster took a confident chest, a couple more strides
and then stroked it past the helpless Jake Cole.
Goal-scoring had suddenly never seemed so easy...
Taylor's reaction was more muted second time around, restricting himself to a vigorous round of applause from the
touchline. Jacobs and Lewis, though, couldn't resist one more dance.
The result was the right one. City won with far more conviction than they had shown in the previous victories over
Stevenage and Gillingham.
They were right at it from the kick-off, beginning with purpose and a welcome spring in their step.
Defensively, even minus late calf victim Shane Duff, they were watertight. Centre half Oliver Gill gave an
indication of why he is so highly thought of at Old Trafford.
Dad David, Man United's chief executive, was among an all-star cast in the main stand. Other notable faces included
John Motson, in his Barnet club tie, Dave Bassett, David Pleat and Martin Allen, who was narrowly pipped by Taylor
for the Valley Parade post in February.
The sight of a few out-of-work managers suddenly taking an interest in City won't have passed Taylor by. That's the
nature of the beast.
But they witnessed a side who looked firmly behind their manager. You wonder where this team have been hiding on so
many other weekends.
Oliver, the much-maligned targetman, missed two decent opportunities before the deadlock was broken.
James Hanson's arrival for the final knockings was the cherry on the cake for the 400 plus away fans but his
stand-in had given Barnet's rickety backline a torrid afternoon.
"We know he's not the finished article as a centre forward but he really puts himself about," said Taylor. "I'm
hopeful the fans appreciated him because he really put a shift on.
"I wasn't going to make a change but he was absolutely 'cream crackered' because he'd put in so much work in both
boxes."
Barnet boss Mark Stimson maintained afterwards that City would still be in the play-off mix. There's a long way to
go to see if the scalp that got away can prove him right.
===========================
City boss Taylor insists he has not suddenly become a bad manager
7:40am Friday 8th October 2010
By Simon Parker »
Peter Taylor today fronted up to his City critics by insisting: I do know what I'm doing.
The under-fire Bantams boss heads for Barnet tomorrow with the pressure building from the awful start.
Taylor has come in for flak during the past two games as patience wears thin in the stands.
But the vastly-experienced City chief refuses to be shaken from his belief that he can still turn things round.
He said: "It doesn't change my decisions. I think I was a decent manager before I came to this football club and I
think I still am. It hasn't changed me just because of certain situations.
"I made the decision to stay here for the reasons that it's a really good football club and I could see what it
would be like if we're successful. I'm still totally blinkered on that."
Taylor is just as frustrated as the fans with City's slide to second-bottom in League Two. They have also not
scored for four games.
Injuries remain a major problem and Michael Flynn is unlikely to feature after feeling a reaction in his groin
during his comeback in the JPT.
But James Hanson is poised for a return to the bench after training without reaction yesterday and skipper Shane
Duff is also back in contention for tomorrow's crucial encounter.
Taylor said: "There are reasons why we're in the position we are. It doesn't necessarily mean the manager's gone
bad all of a sudden.
"The manager was a good one two months ago and now he's suddenly a bad one? I can't work that out.
"You hear chants that I don't know what I'm doing and I don't think that's very respectful. I think I do know what
I'm doing. In fact, I know I know what I'm doing.
"But it's a tough business that we're in and I can understand anyone connected with Bradford City being incredibly
frustrated. I've got no problem with that.
"None of us were expecting this. I can hold my hands up to that because I'm the manager and I'll take full
responsibility."
Hanson's inclusion in the squad after seven games out with a torn hamstring could not be better timed, considering
the chronic lack of goals.
Taylor's on-going chase for a loan striker has also drawn a blank for the weekend.
He believes Hanson's stint on the sidelines has given the big striker the chance to take stock after recently
questioning his professionalism.
Taylor said: "He's trained very well and looks as though he's got himself fitter. Hopefully the penny's dropped and
he's raring to go.
"We've had a few little sort-outs with James to put him on the right road and he's taken everything on board very
well. He's desperate to play but it's just us thinking he needs a little bit of training before that because we've
got to be sure."
Barnet jumped a point above City after beating rock-bottom Hereford last week but while the Bantams are the
division's equal-lowest scorers with four, Barnet have the worst defensive record after leaking 22 goals.
Taylor feels it will not take a lot to reverse his side's slumping fortunes.
He said: "There are teams out there who were having the same season as us. Then all of a sudden they've won a
couple of games in a week and it's changed everything.
"I think we're only a touch away. We're trying to get there inch by inch. The attitude's good and the players are
working hard to try and get a result.
"It's a new situation for some of the younger ones but the type of thing you've got to handle in your career. It's
not an easy task but they've got to stay determined and honest."
===========================
Taylor remains the right man to halt Bantams' sorry decline
Published Date: 07 October 2010
By Richard Sutcliffe
TEN years ago today, Peter Taylor was sitting on top of the Premier League.
By the end of the month, he would be handed temporary charge of the England national team as the search for a new
manager that ended with the appointment of Sven Goran Eriksson got underway.
The Leicester City chief could, it seemed, do no wrong. This apparent Midas touch continued for the next few years
as Taylor led Brighton to the Second Division championship before moving to Hull where, together with Adam Pearson,
he led the Tigers to back-to-back promotions and laid the foundations for what would prove to a successful tilt at
bringing top-flight football to the East Riding for the first time.
Later, Taylor would have two successful stints in charge of England Under-21s and he also enjoyed another promotion
success when in charge of Wycombe Wanderers.
No wonder, therefore, that Bradford City's decision to hand the reins to the 57-year-old last February was so
warmly welcomed by the supporters.
Here, at last, was a manager who could end the 10-year decline that had seen seven of his predecessors try – and
fail – to halt the club's slide.
Eight months on, however, and the reality is rather different with Taylor taking his Bradford side to Barnet's
Underhill tomorrow knowing that a heavy defeat could see City propping up the entire Football League.
It is a puzzling state of affairs, not least for the man who moved north earlier this year confident of sparking a
long-overdue revival.
"The situation we are in is not acceptable," admitted the Bradford manager yesterday. "Second bottom is not where
we expected to be. We are under-achieving massively and I am probably more frustrated here than I have ever been in
my career.
"But I am still not looking at relegation, instead promotion remains the target. We have been going through a
difficult time but I have the determination to turn things round and so do the players."
City's woeful start – they have lost more games than they have scored goals – has come as a major disappointment.
As the bookmakers' pre-season favourites for promotion, the Bantams were expected to be the team to beat in League
Two.
Instead, they are in danger of becoming the team everyone wants to play with a record of just four goals and eight
points from 10 games speaking volumes.
Supporters are, understandably, just as frustrated as Taylor with the boos having rung out at the end of all five
home league games this season.
As ever in these instances, the manager has found himself in the firing line – even though the vast majority of
those now advocating change welcomed his appointment in February.
Others, though, see the club's struggles as merely an extension of a decade that has seen Bradford go from beating
Chelsea in the top flight to being kept off the foot of the League by Hereford United.
The Bantams have seemed so locked into a cycle of decline that a change of fortune has, to many, become an
increasingly forlorn hope.
This inability to stop the rot has not, it has to be said, been for the want of trying on the part of the Bradford
board.
Joint chairmen Mark Lawn and Julian Rhodes have tried everything in the past three years, from appointing a fans'
favourite as manager (Stuart McCall) and providing him with substantial funds, to bringing in a successor with a
proven track record.
Likewise, off the field they have slashed season ticket prices to boost attendances and create a genuine buzz
around the city. They also agreed to open up the Bradford End to home fans in an attempt to generate an atmosphere
inside a stadium that was built with housing bumper Premier League crowds in mind.
The failure of these initiatives – City have lost more home games in the league (86) than they have won (80) since
the start of the 2000-01 season – has led to some fans, most notably on internet messageboards, turning on Lawn and
Rhodes.
What these critics tend to forget is that without the two men – and, in particular, Rhodes, whose family have
ploughed millions into keeping City afloat since the turn of the Millennium – there would not be a Bradford City to
moan about.
I will admit to an interest here – the three years I spent charting the club's story between 1997 and 2000 for
Bradford's local evening paper were happy times.
Not only were Bradford successful – they won promotion to the Premier League during my tenure and then stayed up
against all the odds by beating Liverpool in what turned out to be my last game.
But they were also a friendly and welcoming club, so much so that friendships forged during that time are still
cherished.
It is why I hate to see Bradford occupying their lowest position since the 1965-66 Fourth Division season that
culminated in a 23rd place finish.
A repeat this season will mean Bradford joining Accrington in the unwanted distinction of having had two clubs fall
out of the Football League.
It is an unthinkable prospect and why the unstinting support of every City fan has never been more important than
it is now, as is the need for cool heads both on the field and in the stands.
Taylor was given the job in February because his credentials were by far the most impressive. They still are.
===========================
From the Official BCFC website...
BRADFORD TO LINCOLN - THE HARD WAY!
Posted on: Mon 11 Oct 2010
On New Year's Day, Assistant Kit Manager Graham Duckworth will arrive at
Lincoln City's Sincil Bank Stadium to complete his usual matchday duties
with the Bantams first team.
Rather than travelling with the squad as usual though, Graham will be going
to Lincoln the hard way!
To help raise funds for the Bradford Burns Unit, the City staff member will
be walking the 73 miles between the Coral Windows Stadium and Sincil Bank on
New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
Graham says he hopes to complete the charity walk in less than 24 hours.
The life-long City supporter told the official website: " Working at the
football club and supporting Bradford as well, the Burns Unit is something
that is close to my heart".
"Any true City fan realises what a worthy cause the Burn Unit appeal is and
I am happy to play my part in helping to raise funds.
"I'm planning to set off from Valley Parade at two in the afternoon on New
Year's Eve and hopefully arrive at Lincoln at 2:00pm the following day (New
Year's Day).
"If any supporters can help support me in anyway, it would be greatly
appreciated".
Any supporters interested in donating to Graham can visit his fundraising
page - www.justgiving.com/lincolnwalk for further details.
As well as donations, Graham is on the lookout for any supporters who can
kindly help him with the event itself.
"I'd be delighted if any other City supporters could tag along with me
during some part of the walk" Graham said.
"It can be the whole 73 miles or just a small segment of the journey, any
company would be appreciated!"
Graham is also interested in any local businesses or companies that would be
able to help him promote the event further in anyway.
Any interested parties can contact him on (01274) 773355.
===========================
ZOLA WANTS MORE MONEY
By Vital - Crewe Alexandra
Crewe manager Dario Gradi has shed light on Calvin Zola's indecision of
late. After being told he can leave on loan over a week ago, Zola has turned
down what seemed to be pretty decent offers at Southend, Bradford City,
Burton and, yesterday, promotion chasing Shrewsbury Town.
Today, Dario was slightly miffed after Zola confirmed he wouldn't be signing
for the Shrews despite talks yesterday. The 25 year old is now looking
increasingly likely to stay at Gresty Road after deciding he'd have no-one
to take his child to school if he moved too far away!
On top of that, Dario says that Zola is looking for a permanent move away
from the Alex - with an increase in wages along the way;
<snip>
===========================
Tuesday ...Jason price from Carlise on loan?
http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?playerid=9299
...
Carlisle United boss Greg Abbott has made a loan swoop for Leeds United hitman Mike Grella - as Blues ace Jason
Price looks set to join Bradford City.
Manager Greg Abbott said: "With Jason going to Bradford and Mike coming to us we think that this will be a big
benefit to all three clubs and to the players involved.
...
===========================
Barnet 0 (0) - 2 (0) Bradford
Osborne 65
Adeyemi 69
At Underhill Stadium on 09-10-2010
Next fixture
L2 (h) v Cheltenham, Sat Oct 16th 2010 K.O. 3pm
===========================
Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10266,00.html
Pictures
"Last Match" Highlights on Bantams Player
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/player/LastMatch/0,,10266~1612005~36,00.html
===========================
Match stats
Barnet: Cole, Parkes, Basey (Uddin, 47 ) , Kamdjo, Francomb, Jarvis, Marshall, Vilhete, Hughes, Holmes, Walsh
Subs not used: Devera,Carpenter,Cox,Yorke,Simpson,
Bradford: McLaughlan, Rehman, O'Brien, Williams, Gill, Hendrie ( Speight, 66 ) , Daley ( Syers, 73 ) , Doherty, Osborne, Adeyemi, Oliver ( Hanson, 88 )
Subs not used: Chilaka, Bullock, Saxton, Moult,
Bookings: Marshall (Barnet) Daley , O'Brien (Bradford)
Attendance: 2435
Referee: K Hill (Hertfordshire)
STAT ATTACK
Bees Bees Knees
3 Shots On Target 5
4 Shots Off Target 4
11 Fouls (Conceded) 14
4 Corners 3
1 Yellow Cards 2
0 Red Cards 0
===========================
Saturday evening match report
TAYLOR SURVIVES ANOTHER DAY
Under-fire manager Peter Taylor was relieved to see his Bradford City side
see off fellow strugglers Barnet 2-0.
The Bantams boss has been under pressure following a disappointing start to
the League Two season and it was even suggested he could lose his job if
City failed to win at Underhill on Saturday.
But goals from Leon Osborne and Tom Adeyemi gave Bradford their first away
win of the season - and their first victory in five games in all
competitions - to lift the West Yorkshire club out of the bottom two places.
"I know there has been a few little things in the press - that it could have
been the last game for me and all that type of thing, which I didn't
believe," said Taylor. "But I think there were a lot of players that were
really up for it and it was good to see. Of course you think about the
rumours about my job but I know this squad is a good squad.
"I do know that if that had have happened and I would've gone, whoever came
in would have got a very good squad."
Taylor added: "You know, we haven't made too much of it or tried to make
excuses but we have had a lot of injuries and I would say there are five or
six players that could have played but didn't."
---
Follow up article
Bantams boss Taylor unhappy at national press speculation regarding his future
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/8445025./
===========================
Monday morning report
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/8443470./
Date and opposition were portents of doom but Taylor is made of sterner stuff
7:00am Monday 11th October 2010
By Simon Parker
Barnet 0 Bradford City 2
He charged on to the pitch with fists pumping furiously.
The frustration that had been boiling up inside was blown away in the instant City finally found the net.
Nobody needed to ask Peter Taylor what that first goal – and ultimately much-needed victory – really meant.
His wild reaction to Leon Osborne's opener was clear for everyone to see.
Around him, loyal lieutenants Wayne Jacobs and Junior Lewis joined in a bear-hug embrace. The substitutes, in their
green bibs, could not be restrained either as they joined this spontaneous outpouring of Bantams emotion.
All right, dismiss it as "only" Barnet. And there are still plenty of questions to be answered.
One win, however welcome, does not suddenly put everything right after a wretched first couple of months. But it
was a step in the right direction, which is all Taylor had asked for at the end of a tough week.
His credentials have come under the spotlight, not just locally but nationally with the absence of top-division
matches and gossip ensuring that his current plight suddenly became news everywhere.
Barnet, hit with injuries just like City, may not have sounded the worst assignment for somewhere to stop the rot.
But they have a scary tendency to turn Grim Reaper for opposing managers under pressure.
The thought process with twitchy chairmen seems to be that if you can't beat Barnet, you won't beat anyone.
Last season, defeats to the Bees did for Stuart Gray at Northampton and Darlington's Steve Staunton.
And eight days before City's visit, a 2-0 defeat for Hereford spelt the end of the road for Simon Davey.
I'm sure the significance of the date wouldn't have passed Taylor by either.
The corresponding weekend in 2007 saw him relieved of the managerial post at Crystal Palace and the same time 12
months ago brought an end to his Wycombe reign.
In what was seen as a "must-win" match for his prospects, the omens seemed stacked up against him.
But Taylor has been through it all in his many years on the managerial merry-go-round. His bullish attitude in the
pre-match build-up revealed a deep-rooted confidence in his own methods that refused to be shaken, despite some
dire results.
That still didn't stop him responding like an excited schoolboy when that first goal went in.
"I looked up and saw the green bibs on the pitch and the gaffer going mad," said Osborne. "There was a real buzz
about the place.
"You could tell that it was massive throughout the club. The whole team lifted as soon as the goal went in – it was
like everyone had scored.
"We've stuck together in the last couple of weeks on the training ground and in the changing room. It's been so
frustrating because we know it's been coming for us and you could see what it meant."
How ironic that a goal drought that had just ticked past seven hours should be put to bed by a guy who had never
scored before.
Taylor has championed Osborne's cause since throwing him into the three-man frontline which finished last season so
strongly.
But after a stuttery couple of months hampered by injury and illness, the winger's contribution this term had been
minimal.
Handed his first start on Saturday, Osborne had hardly shone in the first hour.
Then he touched a ball to Tommy Doherty – who had taken Lee Bullock's place in midfield – and charged off
anticipating the return. It came straight into his path as he cut past flat-footed centre half Anwar Uddin and
dispatched it with a clean strike across the keeper.
Suddenly the shackles were thrown off. City were re-energised – and scored again four minutes later.
This time it was Omar Daley, playing in a free role alongside Luke Oliver up top, who was the provider with the
pass of the match to send Tom Adeyemi streaking clear. The youngster took a confident chest, a couple more strides
and then stroked it past the helpless Jake Cole.
Goal-scoring had suddenly never seemed so easy...
Taylor's reaction was more muted second time around, restricting himself to a vigorous round of applause from the
touchline. Jacobs and Lewis, though, couldn't resist one more dance.
The result was the right one. City won with far more conviction than they had shown in the previous victories over
Stevenage and Gillingham.
They were right at it from the kick-off, beginning with purpose and a welcome spring in their step.
Defensively, even minus late calf victim Shane Duff, they were watertight. Centre half Oliver Gill gave an
indication of why he is so highly thought of at Old Trafford.
Dad David, Man United's chief executive, was among an all-star cast in the main stand. Other notable faces included
John Motson, in his Barnet club tie, Dave Bassett, David Pleat and Martin Allen, who was narrowly pipped by Taylor
for the Valley Parade post in February.
The sight of a few out-of-work managers suddenly taking an interest in City won't have passed Taylor by. That's the
nature of the beast.
But they witnessed a side who looked firmly behind their manager. You wonder where this team have been hiding on so
many other weekends.
Oliver, the much-maligned targetman, missed two decent opportunities before the deadlock was broken.
James Hanson's arrival for the final knockings was the cherry on the cake for the 400 plus away fans but his
stand-in had given Barnet's rickety backline a torrid afternoon.
"We know he's not the finished article as a centre forward but he really puts himself about," said Taylor. "I'm
hopeful the fans appreciated him because he really put a shift on.
"I wasn't going to make a change but he was absolutely 'cream crackered' because he'd put in so much work in both
boxes."
Barnet boss Mark Stimson maintained afterwards that City would still be in the play-off mix. There's a long way to
go to see if the scalp that got away can prove him right.
===========================
City boss Taylor insists he has not suddenly become a bad manager
7:40am Friday 8th October 2010
By Simon Parker »
Peter Taylor today fronted up to his City critics by insisting: I do know what I'm doing.
The under-fire Bantams boss heads for Barnet tomorrow with the pressure building from the awful start.
Taylor has come in for flak during the past two games as patience wears thin in the stands.
But the vastly-experienced City chief refuses to be shaken from his belief that he can still turn things round.
He said: "It doesn't change my decisions. I think I was a decent manager before I came to this football club and I
think I still am. It hasn't changed me just because of certain situations.
"I made the decision to stay here for the reasons that it's a really good football club and I could see what it
would be like if we're successful. I'm still totally blinkered on that."
Taylor is just as frustrated as the fans with City's slide to second-bottom in League Two. They have also not
scored for four games.
Injuries remain a major problem and Michael Flynn is unlikely to feature after feeling a reaction in his groin
during his comeback in the JPT.
But James Hanson is poised for a return to the bench after training without reaction yesterday and skipper Shane
Duff is also back in contention for tomorrow's crucial encounter.
Taylor said: "There are reasons why we're in the position we are. It doesn't necessarily mean the manager's gone
bad all of a sudden.
"The manager was a good one two months ago and now he's suddenly a bad one? I can't work that out.
"You hear chants that I don't know what I'm doing and I don't think that's very respectful. I think I do know what
I'm doing. In fact, I know I know what I'm doing.
"But it's a tough business that we're in and I can understand anyone connected with Bradford City being incredibly
frustrated. I've got no problem with that.
"None of us were expecting this. I can hold my hands up to that because I'm the manager and I'll take full
responsibility."
Hanson's inclusion in the squad after seven games out with a torn hamstring could not be better timed, considering
the chronic lack of goals.
Taylor's on-going chase for a loan striker has also drawn a blank for the weekend.
He believes Hanson's stint on the sidelines has given the big striker the chance to take stock after recently
questioning his professionalism.
Taylor said: "He's trained very well and looks as though he's got himself fitter. Hopefully the penny's dropped and
he's raring to go.
"We've had a few little sort-outs with James to put him on the right road and he's taken everything on board very
well. He's desperate to play but it's just us thinking he needs a little bit of training before that because we've
got to be sure."
Barnet jumped a point above City after beating rock-bottom Hereford last week but while the Bantams are the
division's equal-lowest scorers with four, Barnet have the worst defensive record after leaking 22 goals.
Taylor feels it will not take a lot to reverse his side's slumping fortunes.
He said: "There are teams out there who were having the same season as us. Then all of a sudden they've won a
couple of games in a week and it's changed everything.
"I think we're only a touch away. We're trying to get there inch by inch. The attitude's good and the players are
working hard to try and get a result.
"It's a new situation for some of the younger ones but the type of thing you've got to handle in your career. It's
not an easy task but they've got to stay determined and honest."
===========================
Taylor remains the right man to halt Bantams' sorry decline
Published Date: 07 October 2010
By Richard Sutcliffe
TEN years ago today, Peter Taylor was sitting on top of the Premier League.
By the end of the month, he would be handed temporary charge of the England national team as the search for a new
manager that ended with the appointment of Sven Goran Eriksson got underway.
The Leicester City chief could, it seemed, do no wrong. This apparent Midas touch continued for the next few years
as Taylor led Brighton to the Second Division championship before moving to Hull where, together with Adam Pearson,
he led the Tigers to back-to-back promotions and laid the foundations for what would prove to a successful tilt at
bringing top-flight football to the East Riding for the first time.
Later, Taylor would have two successful stints in charge of England Under-21s and he also enjoyed another promotion
success when in charge of Wycombe Wanderers.
No wonder, therefore, that Bradford City's decision to hand the reins to the 57-year-old last February was so
warmly welcomed by the supporters.
Here, at last, was a manager who could end the 10-year decline that had seen seven of his predecessors try – and
fail – to halt the club's slide.
Eight months on, however, and the reality is rather different with Taylor taking his Bradford side to Barnet's
Underhill tomorrow knowing that a heavy defeat could see City propping up the entire Football League.
It is a puzzling state of affairs, not least for the man who moved north earlier this year confident of sparking a
long-overdue revival.
"The situation we are in is not acceptable," admitted the Bradford manager yesterday. "Second bottom is not where
we expected to be. We are under-achieving massively and I am probably more frustrated here than I have ever been in
my career.
"But I am still not looking at relegation, instead promotion remains the target. We have been going through a
difficult time but I have the determination to turn things round and so do the players."
City's woeful start – they have lost more games than they have scored goals – has come as a major disappointment.
As the bookmakers' pre-season favourites for promotion, the Bantams were expected to be the team to beat in League
Two.
Instead, they are in danger of becoming the team everyone wants to play with a record of just four goals and eight
points from 10 games speaking volumes.
Supporters are, understandably, just as frustrated as Taylor with the boos having rung out at the end of all five
home league games this season.
As ever in these instances, the manager has found himself in the firing line – even though the vast majority of
those now advocating change welcomed his appointment in February.
Others, though, see the club's struggles as merely an extension of a decade that has seen Bradford go from beating
Chelsea in the top flight to being kept off the foot of the League by Hereford United.
The Bantams have seemed so locked into a cycle of decline that a change of fortune has, to many, become an
increasingly forlorn hope.
This inability to stop the rot has not, it has to be said, been for the want of trying on the part of the Bradford
board.
Joint chairmen Mark Lawn and Julian Rhodes have tried everything in the past three years, from appointing a fans'
favourite as manager (Stuart McCall) and providing him with substantial funds, to bringing in a successor with a
proven track record.
Likewise, off the field they have slashed season ticket prices to boost attendances and create a genuine buzz
around the city. They also agreed to open up the Bradford End to home fans in an attempt to generate an atmosphere
inside a stadium that was built with housing bumper Premier League crowds in mind.
The failure of these initiatives – City have lost more home games in the league (86) than they have won (80) since
the start of the 2000-01 season – has led to some fans, most notably on internet messageboards, turning on Lawn and
Rhodes.
What these critics tend to forget is that without the two men – and, in particular, Rhodes, whose family have
ploughed millions into keeping City afloat since the turn of the Millennium – there would not be a Bradford City to
moan about.
I will admit to an interest here – the three years I spent charting the club's story between 1997 and 2000 for
Bradford's local evening paper were happy times.
Not only were Bradford successful – they won promotion to the Premier League during my tenure and then stayed up
against all the odds by beating Liverpool in what turned out to be my last game.
But they were also a friendly and welcoming club, so much so that friendships forged during that time are still
cherished.
It is why I hate to see Bradford occupying their lowest position since the 1965-66 Fourth Division season that
culminated in a 23rd place finish.
A repeat this season will mean Bradford joining Accrington in the unwanted distinction of having had two clubs fall
out of the Football League.
It is an unthinkable prospect and why the unstinting support of every City fan has never been more important than
it is now, as is the need for cool heads both on the field and in the stands.
Taylor was given the job in February because his credentials were by far the most impressive. They still are.
===========================
From the Official BCFC website...
BRADFORD TO LINCOLN - THE HARD WAY!
Posted on: Mon 11 Oct 2010
On New Year's Day, Assistant Kit Manager Graham Duckworth will arrive at
Lincoln City's Sincil Bank Stadium to complete his usual matchday duties
with the Bantams first team.
Rather than travelling with the squad as usual though, Graham will be going
to Lincoln the hard way!
To help raise funds for the Bradford Burns Unit, the City staff member will
be walking the 73 miles between the Coral Windows Stadium and Sincil Bank on
New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
Graham says he hopes to complete the charity walk in less than 24 hours.
The life-long City supporter told the official website: " Working at the
football club and supporting Bradford as well, the Burns Unit is something
that is close to my heart".
"Any true City fan realises what a worthy cause the Burn Unit appeal is and
I am happy to play my part in helping to raise funds.
"I'm planning to set off from Valley Parade at two in the afternoon on New
Year's Eve and hopefully arrive at Lincoln at 2:00pm the following day (New
Year's Day).
"If any supporters can help support me in anyway, it would be greatly
appreciated".
Any supporters interested in donating to Graham can visit his fundraising
page - www.justgiving.com/lincolnwalk for further details.
As well as donations, Graham is on the lookout for any supporters who can
kindly help him with the event itself.
"I'd be delighted if any other City supporters could tag along with me
during some part of the walk" Graham said.
"It can be the whole 73 miles or just a small segment of the journey, any
company would be appreciated!"
Graham is also interested in any local businesses or companies that would be
able to help him promote the event further in anyway.
Any interested parties can contact him on (01274) 773355.
===========================
ZOLA WANTS MORE MONEY
By Vital - Crewe Alexandra
Crewe manager Dario Gradi has shed light on Calvin Zola's indecision of
late. After being told he can leave on loan over a week ago, Zola has turned
down what seemed to be pretty decent offers at Southend, Bradford City,
Burton and, yesterday, promotion chasing Shrewsbury Town.
Today, Dario was slightly miffed after Zola confirmed he wouldn't be signing
for the Shrews despite talks yesterday. The 25 year old is now looking
increasingly likely to stay at Gresty Road after deciding he'd have no-one
to take his child to school if he moved too far away!
On top of that, Dario says that Zola is looking for a permanent move away
from the Alex - with an increase in wages along the way;
<snip>
===========================
Tuesday ...Jason price from Carlise on loan?
http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?playerid=9299
...
Carlisle United boss Greg Abbott has made a loan swoop for Leeds United hitman Mike Grella - as Blues ace Jason
Price looks set to join Bradford City.
Manager Greg Abbott said: "With Jason going to Bradford and Mike coming to us we think that this will be a big
benefit to all three clubs and to the players involved.
...
===========================
Friday, October 08, 2010
JPT (A) v Hartlepool L0-1 October 5, 2010. K.O. 7:15PM
Johnson Paint Trophy - Second Round
Hartlepool (0) 1 McSweeney 69
Bradford C (0) 0
Att: 1,728
Next match: (A) Barnet, Saturday October 9, 2010. K.O. 3:00PM
===========================
Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10266,00.html
Pictures
"Last Match" Highlights on Bantams Player
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/player/LastMatch/0,,10266~1612005~36,00.html
===========================
Match stats
Stats: Hartlepool - Bradford C
Possession: 57 - 43%
Shots on target: 5 - 2
Shots off target: 8 - 5
Fouls: 10 - 12
Corners: 5 - 5
Ref: Jock Waugh (South Yorkshire).
Yellow cards: None
Hartlepool: 32. Jake Kean, 2. Neil Austin, 16. Steven Haslam, 29. Peter
Hartley, 6. Evan Horwood, 22. Armann Bjornsson, 12. Fabian Yantorno (74), 4.
Gary Liddle, 7. Leon McSweeney, 9. Denis Behan (65), 10. Adam Boyd (65).
SUBS: 33. Conor Devlin (GK), 8. Joe Gamble (74), 11. Andy Monkhouse (65),
18. Michael Mackay, 23. Colin Larkin (65).
Bradford C: 1. Jon McLaughlin, 3. Luke O'Brien, 5. Zesh Rehman, 29. Oliver
Gill, 6. Luke Oliver, 7. Omar Daley (63), 11. Lee Hendrie, 12. Steve
Williams, 19. Louis Moult (62), 20. Tom Adeyemi, 22. Lee Bullock.
SUBS: 13. Lloyd Saxton (GK), 4. Michael Flynn (63), 10. Jake Speight (62),
23. Dave Syers, 14. Leon Osborne.
===========================
Tuesday evening match report
By Simon Parker (T&A)
Hard-working City failed to trouble the scorers again as they were knocked
out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at League One Hartlepool.
The Bantams, showing three injury-enforced changes from the weekend, had
carved a few opportunities in a goalless first half.
While Jon McLaughlin saved from Hartlepool defender Evan Horwood, home
keeper Jake Kean was also tested by Omar Daley and Lee Hendrie.
Louis Moult, given a rare start, also fired over the bar on the turn.
But Luke Oliver missed City's best chance on the hour after a mistake by
Armann Bjornsson. The makeshift target man was clear on goal but did not
look confident and his shot was smothered on the edge of the box by Kean.
It proved a costly miss as Hartlepool broke the deadlock nine minutes later.
Leon McSweeney got between two defenders to drill home from Horwood's cross.
Michael Flynn was on by then - his first game of the season - but City could
not conjure a comeback.
Now all eyes will be fixed on Saturday's massive league clash with Barnet.
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/8435317./
Players should be ones in firing line, says Bantams midfielder Flynn
7:10am Thursday 7th October 2010
By Simon Parker
Michael Flynn today leapt to boss Peter Taylor's defence and admitted: We owe him big time.
Taylor has been in the firing line from fans over City's slump to second from bottom in League Two.
But Flynn feels it is the players who should be getting the grief and not the manager.
The midfield general said: "I'm still right behind the manager. I can see what he is trying to do.
"I really feel for him because he is doing all a manager possibly can but he can't go out there and actually play
the game – that's down to us.
"All the preparation from the manager and coaching staff is being done to the best of their ability. I'm not sure
all of us can look in the mirror and say we're doing the same on the pitch."
City, who have not scored for four games, are preparing for a critical trip to Barnet on Saturday. Flynn sees it as
the right moment to show they are fighting for their manager.
He added: "I'm not sticking up for the gaffer just to save my own back. As a group of players, we are letting him
down, not the other way round.
"We've got to listen to him and we've got to be switched on for the full 90 minutes; not just 80, then concede a
sloppy goal.
"We are struggling in League Two and if the manager is looking over his shoulder then there should be a few players
doing the same."
Flynn's second-half appearance at Hartlepool on Tuesday was his first of an injury-ravaged season. He felt a twinge
in his troublesome groin going up for a header but is desperate to put his body on the line again at Underhill.
"I feel I've let the boys down and the gaffer because I've not been around. I know it's not my fault but I'm no
good to anyone injured.
"Deep down there have been times when I've blamed myself. It's been so frustrating because I want to be out there
helping the other lads.
"That was my first game for about five months and maybe I was a bit naïve to think I could get straight back into
the swing of things. But I felt a little bit of discomfort, which was something I didn't expect."
James Hanson could provide a timely boost with a sub role against Barnet.
Last season's leading scorer is recovering well from his torn hamstring and joined in the warm-up routine at
Hartlepool Taylor said: "He's got a good chance of being on the bench.
"It's a very big game but if there's a risk that somebody's going to play too early and then be out for another
month, then I wouldn't do that."
===========================
TAYLOR: I WILL GET IT RIGHT
Bradford City manager Peter Taylor is convinced he will "get it right" and
turn the Bantams' fortunes around.
Taylor's side have made a disastrous start to the season, winning two of
their first 10 league games to lie second from bottom in the table, but the
under-fire former Hull, Crystal Palace and Wycombe manager remains confident
he will be successful at Valley Parade.
Taylor told the club's official website: "People will see my record of five
promotions, but they should also look at my age and experience.
"In our current situation you need as much experience as you can around you,
no doubt about that.
"I will get it right. I'm quite sure of that. I can identify what we need.
If I didn't have that up my sleeve then we would be struggling. It's going
to be a big fight, but I'm up for that."
===========================
From the terraces
by Mark Douglas
Attended tonight, alongside 100 or so other hardy claret and amber souls. Slightly better than I expected after the
grim reports from Saturday but a 0-1 defeat against a second string Hartlepool (who have big problems of their own)
shouldn't exactly be a cause for celebration.
First, the positives: an improving Lee Hendrie was excellent throughout. He was committed, prepared to take
responsibility, always trying to prompt things and full of running for 90 minutes. On this form he won't be with us
long.
We worked hard, defensively we looked pretty sound until Peter Taylor's bizarre double substitution (more of which
later) and the away support got behind the team (if not the manager) from the first to the last.
Now the negatives. Taylor has made so many changes, tactically and in terms of personnel, that the players looked
confused, unsure of what they're meant to be doing and totally bereft of confidence. In short we're a complete mess
thanks to Taylor's inability to stick to a formation or a settled line-up.
The most succesful teams at our level are built on partnerships and have a solid spine. How are our players ever
meant to get that chemistry if we're constantly chopping and changing the team on a whim? Tonight the back four was
completely revamped from Saturday and we had the umpteenth new 'strike' partnership - so it's no surprise if the
players look like they're still getting to know each other.
The continuing selection of Luke Oliver up front is just depressing. Presumably he's picked for his height but what
does it say about our players and Taylor's managerial acumen that he's basically admitting that he can't come up
with a strategy that doesn't rely on a target man? Oliver is willing and all that but he makes it easy for
opposition defenders because he doesn't make the runs that a striker would, meaning all Hartlepool's centre-back
had to do was stand next to him and he was completely out of the game. Unsurprisingly he missed the one-on-one that
came his way in the second half - hesitated and then smacked it against the 'keeper's body - and as long as he's
part of our attack we won't score goals. It really is as simple as that.
I don't think I've ever seen a worse double substitution than the one Taylor made tonight. I had no problem
bringing on Jake Speight and Michael Flynn but inexplicably the manager decided to hook off Omar Daley - causing
problems with his pace and enjoying one of his better nights - and Louis Moult, who was doing alright. Even worse,
his change meant three players changing their position (Oliver moved back into defence, Luke O'Brien into left
midfield and Oliver Gill to left-back) and a complete reshuffle of a back four that looked perfectly competent to
that point. It was just breath-takingly unnecessary and the supporters reacted with loud boos and chants of "You
Don't Know What You're Doing" towards the boss, which can't be a good sign for him. Rarely do managers lose the
away support and continue for long.
Unsurprisingly we conceded pretty soon after the double substitution (our reshuffled back four wasn't quick enough
to react to a loose ball in the box) and the game was effectively over from that point due to our lack of cutting
edge. There was still time for Oliver to be pushed back into attack for the final few minutes though, yet another
of those changes of shape that Taylor seems to love.
Tonight confirmed my suspicion that our squad isn't actually that bad - certainly better than the one McCall had
last year. There are good players (Hendrie, Speight, Williams, O'Brien, Daley on his day) but they're being
organised atrociously. Too many are being played out of position and constantly chopped and changed and that is
what is killing us.
We're in trouble and the buck stops with the boss, who is making enough curious calls to give those City conspiracy
theorists who reckon he is engineering his own exit a field day.
===========================
TAYLOR: BANTAMS WILL WIN SOON
Bradford City manager Peter Taylor believes victory is just around the
corner - if his side's luck can change.
The Bantams made it four games without a win in a 1-0 Johnstone's Paint
Trophy defeat at Hartlepool on Tuesday night but Taylor saw enough to
encourage him.
He said: "It was a lot better than Saturday and there is more to come. It
was okay. In our situation, which isn't a great one, you need people to
stick together and I thought the players did that.
"We lack a bit of confidence and I think we need to nick a result or two and
then confidence will come from it.
Then they will open out a bit more and play the way I see them train.
"They defended well and in numbers and put blocks in, they worked hard.
Hartlepool are a nice football team, they tested us and I was pleased
overall with the players. I told them afterwards there was some plus points
and it was better.
"We did have a couple of chances and we need something to break for us."
===========================
NO NEW STRIKER FOR BRADFORD CITY
By Simon Parker (T&A)
Thursday 7th
Bradford City's bid to bolster their attacking ranks with a loan signing
before Saturday has drawn a blank.
Peter Taylor, who has been linked with Crewe's Calvin Zola, admitted there
would be no new faces lining up to face Barnet.
He said: "Unfortunately there's absolutely nothing for this weekend.
"I'm still hopeful we might get one in before Cheltenham but for now we'll
just have to get on with it."
===========================
Barnet ticket details
Extra info:
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2177057,00.html?
City supporters can still purchase match tickets for the Bantams npower League 2 at Barnet this Saturday (9 October
2010)
Tickets for the Underhill fixture are not available from City's Ticket Office though, but through Barnet
themselves.
They can be purchased by calling Barnet's Ticket Office on (0208) 4496325 or visiting the ticketing section of
www.barnetfc.com
Supporters can click the link HERE to be taken directly to the appropriate section of Barnet's official website.
Bantams fans will also be able to pay on the turnstiles at Underhill on the day of the match, although family
tickets must be purchased in advance.
Ticket prices for the fixture are detailed below:
North Family Stand (Seating)
Adults: £16.00
Under 14's: £8.00
Under 19's, Students and Senior Citizens: £12.00
North East Terrace (Standing)
Adults: £15.00
Under 14's: £8.00
Under 19's, Students and Senior Citizens: £12.00
North Terrace (Uncovered Standing)
Adults: £13.00
Under 14's: £8.00
Under 19's, Students and Senior Citizens: £12.00
Family Ticket
Two adults and two under 19's: £30.00 (must be purchased before match day)
===========================
City suffer new injury blow
Posted on: Wed 06 Oct 2010
City have been hit with another injury blow after it was revealed that Gareth Evans could be sidelined for up to
three months.
Evans suffered a fractured wrist during City's defeat at the hands of Morecambe last Saturday meaning the Bantams
striker could be out of action for the rest of the calendar year.
The Bantams striker picked up the injury when he clattered into the advertising boards at the Coral Windows
Stadium.
Peter Taylor had already been on the lookout for a new loan forward, but the loss of another striker will now have
the City chief pushing even harder to unearth another temporary frontman.
Defenders Shane Duff and Reece Brown, who along with Evans missed City's JPT tie at Hartlepool United on Tuesday,
will also miss City's trip to Barnet on Saturday due to injuries.
Duff has an achilles problem, while the on-loan Brown tweaked knee ligaments against the Shrimps.
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/8437498./
Hendrie believes a single strike will be all it takes to kick on and lift the gloom
5:20pm Thursday 7th October 2010
By Simon Parker
Lee Hendrie has urged City to take the leading role in their basement battle at Barnet.
The experienced midfielder believes that scoring the first goal will hold the key to stopping the rot.
City have failed to net in six hours of trying as their struggles continue. They have only managed four in total
from the opening ten league games.
The goal drought is clearly having an impact on everyone but Hendrie reckons that will all change the moment the
deadlock is broken.
"I've said to the boys that if we can score one goal then it will open everything up," he said.
"We get a goal and teams have got to come at us and we'll find more space. You'll see we'll probably go on and
score two or three.
"It's just waiting for that goal to happen and we just need someone to go and do it.
"It would have been nice to get a goal or two at Hartlepool the other night because we played some decent stuff at
times.
"Big Luke (Oliver) went through one-on-one and I was willing him to score it. Let's hope we get one like that on
Saturday."
Hendrie appreciates the pressure is cranked up a notch with each bad result. In tough times like these, players can
be reluctant to take command for fear of making errors.
He said: "Last Saturday (against Morecambe) was a big thing. You want to do something but you need three or four
that want to get on the ball.
"That's what we're lacking at the minute. We've got a lot of young kids in there and maybe they are looking at the
league position and thinking they don't want to be the one that makes a mistake.
"It's understandable. This is a big club and shouldn't be where it is, simple as.
"The gaffer is going through a lot and I feel for him. He's taking the stick in this situation and it's a shame.
"Fair enough if he came in every day and wasn't bothered, but he really cares about this club and wants to push us
forward.
"But with the way we're going, things just don't seem to be happening for us."
Hendrie's own match fitness is improving after starting the last two games. He played the full 90 minutes in the
Johnstone's Paint Trophy and showed some promising signs.
Boss Peter Taylor said: "We used the ball better and Lee got involved a little bit more. That will have done him
good."
City will lean heavily on Hendrie's big-game prowess on an afternoon that will not be one for the faint-hearted –
and he is up for the challenge.
Hendrie said: "We know it's a big game for us and players will be nervous. But we're away from home so they won't
have 10,000 or 11,000 people on their backs.
"We can take the positives from the other night. We had four or five shots and there have been some games where we
haven't had any.
"Let's just go out there and play like we know we can. Everything seems to be going against us but we've got to
keep plugging away and it will change."
===========================
Monday, October 04, 2010
L2 (H) v Morecambe October 2, 2010. K.O. 3:00PM
Saturday 2 October 2010
npower League 2
Bradford City 0
Morecambe 1 (Mullin 23)
Kick Off: 3.00pm
at the Coral Windows Stadium
===========================
Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10266,00.html
Pictures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2173265,00.html?
"Last Match" Highlights on Bantams Player
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/player/LastMatch/0,,10266~1612005~36,00.html
===========================
Match stats
STAT ATTACK
Shrimpless Shrimps
3 Shots On Target 4
7 Shots Off Target 5
12 Fouls (Conceded) 4
5 Corners 4
1 Yellow Cards 2
0 Red Cards 0
Bradford: McLaughlan, Duff, Williams, Gill, Brown, Hendrie (O'Brien, 70 ) , Daley (Chilaka, 62 ) , Bullock,
Adeyemi, Evans, Oliver (Speight, 46 )
Subs not used: Rehman,Doherty,Saxton,Moult,
Morecambe: Roche, Parrish, Bentley, Wilson, Rundle ( Brown, 77 ) , Stanley, Drummond, Fleming, Duffy, Mullin,
Hunter
Subs not used: Jones, Capaldi, Spencer, Hendrie, Cowperthwaite, Shuker,
Bookings: Hendrie (Bradford) Duffy , Hunter (Morecambe)
Referee: S W Mathieson (Cheshire)
===========================
A message to fans travelling to Hartlepool
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2173440,00.html?
Tuesday night's opponents, Hartlepool United, have asked the football club to pass on the following message to it's
supporters:
Bradford City fans have been allocated the Rink End of Hartlepool United's Victoria Park.
The Club, like most Clubs, is acting upon guidance from the Football League on persistent standing.
Any spectator persistently standing during the game is liable to be ejected from the stadium.Hartlepool United also
confirms that anyone entering the stadium with bags or flasks is liable to be searched and checks will also be
carried-out to ensure concession tickets for children are not being used by adults.
The Club have contingency plans in place for all emergency situations; spectators are asked to co-operate with any
requests from stewards and to comply with the efforts being made by the Hartlepool United to ensure a safe
environment.
===========================
Monday morning report
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/8428731./
Natives have had enough as Bradford City plumb depths and Taylor steps up search for loan striker
6:50am Monday 4th October 2010
By Simon Parker
City 0, Morecambe 1
Just where do City go from here? That is the uncomfortable question foxing everyone at Valley Parade, from the two
chairmen down to the fans.
The season has already reached a crossroads. Which direction it takes next will be critical.
It is often said that the table doesn't take shape until you've played ten games. Well, City have now reached the
double-figure mark in a relegation spot with more defeats than they have scored goals.
Ten years ago, Peter Taylor was sitting proudly on top of the Premier League as manager of Leicester. Now only
Hereford are keeping his side from the bottom of the whole lot.
It's tough for him and impossible for the supporters, who once again vented their feelings at another unacceptable
performance. The natives have had enough.
Taylor will continue scratching around for solutions but seems no nearer finding a team he can have genuine faith
in delivering more than one good game in five.
He will once again scour for a loan striker this week; somebody capable of actually scoring a goal or two to lift
some of the all-pervading gloom.
But then, any striker needs a supply of ammunition and there has been precious little of that.
On Saturday, there were two big chances. The first came after 90 seconds when Omar Daley's cross-shot clunked back
into play off the far post as Morecambe keeper Barry Roche looked on.
Even then, the rebound fell to the player you would want; someone who has spent the bulk of his career earning a
living in the top flight. But Lee Hendrie skied it horribly.
The other gilt-edged opportunity fell to Luke Oliver after Gareth Evans had bulldozed his way through to cross.
Somehow the big man nodded past the post from six yards.
It confirmed Oliver's unwanted mantle as the general scapegoat for his side's current shortcomings, especially when
Taylor hooked him off at half-time.
But the manager still made a point of defending him from the critics afterwards, saying: "A few people have been
saying that Luke shouldn't be playing up front. But he's a centre half who's helping us out and doing an honest
job.
"When your confidence is as low as ours at the minute, then sometimes you need that big targetman. Playing the big
fella up front is the easier option.
"Ideally I'd like Michael Flynn to get fit and James Hanson to be back and playing like he was last year. If not, I
have to get another striker.
"But we certainly looked more like scoring in the first half with Luke on than we did in the second. We didn't
create anywhere near the same."
The second half was nearly half an hour old before City mustered another shot directly at Roche's goal and his
routine save from Evans was greeted with an ironic cheer from the disgruntled stands.
By that point, Daley too had been sacrificed. It was a case of "after the Lord Mayor's show" for the Jamaican, who
had made such an exciting return at the Don Valley.
That early shot apart, he was a peripheral figure more noticeable for the number of times he fell over.
Taylor admitted: "I wanted a bit more of what he did in the first minute. Unfortunately he seemed to have the wrong
studs on."
As general performances go, City looked to have the wrong feet on. Taylor gave Hendrie his much-anticipated first
start but he could not find the right role to fit.
Starting out wide, he naturally drifted inside as City's play became narrower and narrower. That allowed
Morecambe's full backs free rein to gallop up and down the flanks in support of lively wingers Adam Rundle and Mark
Duffy.
Taylor had debutants at both left and right back but his decision to blood both Manchester United youngsters and
rip up a defence that had blotted out free-scoring Rotherham so effectively did not go down well with the
supporters.
The loud ovation that Luke O'Brien received when he went to warm up on the touchline made that point quite
emphatically.
Growing tension in the crowd spilled over into a couple of incidents. Two young lads traded blows as they fought
for a loose ball which had sailed behind the goal, while a steward appeared to be marched out of the away end after
a heated confrontation.
If only City had shown a bit of that fight on the pitch. Instead, Morecambe were handed only their second win of
the season with the minimum of fuss and hassle. Fair enough, the Shrimps were good and passed it about nicely but
they were hardly extended at any point.
Their midfield bossed the show, with the creative Duffy the eye-catching pick of the bunch. And up front Mullin led
the line with authority, holding the ball up well and consistently bringing the red shirts around him into play.
His dad had turned down a ticket for the game because Valley Parade was his "unlucky ground". So he missed Mullin
bury that particular ghost when he flicked home at the far post from an inviting Duffy cross.
Mullin had half a dozen games chasing shadows when Stuart McCall brought him in during the late free-fall two
seasons ago. On Saturday he looked exactly the type of targetman that Taylor's City would kill for.
Maybe it would have been different if Daley's shot had gone in or Hendrie had got his head over the rebound. But
just like at Northampton the week before, it's hard to fathom how City could turn in such a limp effort on the back
of the gutsy display in midweek.
Taylor would like to dismiss this latest setback as a one-off but it is happening too often for that. Depressingly,
it's the decent displays such as the one against the Millers which are the rarities.
Next up, forgetting the JP Trophy tomorrow night, is the weekend trip to fellow strugglers Barnet. It's a fixture
that has suddenly taken on mammoth proportions.
While it is still very early in the campaign, the signs are desperately worrying. City cannot afford to take
another wrong turn. Attendance: 10,640
===========================
Daley hits post early but it's all downhill from there for Bradford City
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/8428690.print/
7:50am Monday 4th October 2010
By Simon Parker
Peter Taylor admitted that the Valley Parade boo boys were right to heckle him and his team.
Angry fans vented their fury after Saturday's home loss to Morecambe dumped City into the bottom two.
Taylor's team were booed off at half-time and at the end of their sixth loss in the opening ten League Two games.
And once again they failed to add to their tally of only four goals.
The City boss said: "I'm the first one to say booing isn't right if the players are doing everything they can.
"But I thought Morecambe worked harder than us, ran around more than us and looked the better. In that respect, it
was justified.
"I do agree with what the supporters are saying. They are very frustrated and I'm 100 per cent with them. I'm
amazed as much as they are.
"I'm the manager who picked the players, so I suppose it's my fault, but the ones who are playing at the minute are
not doing as well as I expected."
Omar Daley hit the post with City's first attack but they failed to kick on and were beaten by a solitary strike
from Paul Mullin, who had been on loan at the club under Stuart McCall.
Taylor said: "We seem to be a team that has to start well to have a good 90 minutes. That shouldn't be the case.
"We were flat and the players didn't look confident. It was the opposite to what happened on Tuesday night (against
Rotherham).
"It's not an easy one to work out but you never know what type of player's going to turn up. It's very frustrating.
"The last six matches of last season we were playing confidently, we were playing well in front of the crowd and
handling every situation. But this year has been the opposite."
Taylor gave debuts to Manchester United youngsters Reece Brown and Oliver Gill but left Tommy Doherty on the bench
to mend his injured ankle.
The City boss said: "Every time he kicks the ball it opens the joint up. The supporters haven't seen Tom 100 per
cent fit yet, he's probably 70 per cent.
"But the physio said that a week off would help him. I wanted to take that chance.
"I thought the two young boys from Man United did fine. But it's not easy to come into our team at the minute
because we are very low on confidence."
Michael Flynn will make his first appearance with a half-hour run-out in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at Hartlepool
tomorrow night. He has been sidelined with a groin injury which also needed a double hernia operation.
Taylor said: "I still think he's training within himself and hasn't stretched out. That's the big worry."
===========================
===========================
YP report
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/football/Bradford-City-0-Morecambe-1.6562397.jp
Bradford City 0 Morecambe 1: Miserable start continues
Published Date:
02 October 2010
By Robert Gledhill at Valley Parade
NO city or town has lost two clubs from the Football League – Bradford is in danger of becomming the first.
City have overcome far worse crises than they are currently confronting yet it is not being alarmist to say that
after this display the pre-season promotion favourites are in danger of dropping into the Conference.
Neighbours Bradford Park Avenue were voted out of the Football League in 1970 – a place in League Two's bottom two
this season will result in automatic relegation for City.
That is where they sit now, just three points above Hereford United with eight points from their opening 10 games,
just half the tally they had gleaned last season when they finished 14th.
It is going to take all Peter Taylor's vast experience to lift the club and the manager is as frustrated as anyone,
especially after ending last season on a high with four wins and two draws from their last six games.
The one consolation is that visitors Morecambe, who began the day one place below City, have an identical record to
last season with 10 points from their opening 10 games and Sammy McIlroy's side went on to clinch a place in the
play-offs.
The way they approached this game with a certain amount of swagger and undoubted self-belief must have brought
envious glances from the City fans, who had to endure watching their side lump the ball forward.
"Sort it out Taylor," was a plaintive cry from the stand as confidence-shredded City rarely looked capable of
retrieving anything against a side shorn through hamstring injuries of their regular centre-backs.
One of the biggest gripes among the faithful – and there were still over 10,000 in the ground – is Taylor's
decision to play central defender Luke Oliver as a striker yet the side created even fewer opportunities once he
had been withdrawn at the break following a glaring miss in the 36th minute.
Partner Gareth Evans, whose 100 per cent wholehearted effort should be a beacon to team-mates, hustled Craig
Stanley off the ball and sent an inviting cross which Oliver met with a bullet header way off target into the Kop.
Taylor justified his selection, saying: "A few people have been saying Luke Oliver should not play up front and I
know he is a centre-half who is helping us out and who is doing an honest job. We did not create a load of chances
in the first half but we certainly looked like scoring more than in the second. We are a team that's low on
confidence and sometimes you need that big target man.
"In the end we tried to play a smaller player to get the service into the striker to hurt a slower centre-half but
you've got to have a confident team to do that – you have to be able to pass the ball into people.
"That's why we have been playing the big fellow up front because we are not the most confident team at the minute
so it's an easier option just to lump the ball forward.
"In the end, we were 1-0 down and it was worth the gamble to see if we could get the ball into Jake Speight or
Gareth Evans but, unfortunately, it didn't happen."
Taylor brought in Manchester United loanees Reece Brown and Oliver Gill as full-backs but that did not go down well
with fans of left-back Luke O'Brien, who came on as a second-half substitute into an unaccustomed midfield role as
Lee Hendrie, still not match fit, was rested after his first start for the club.
Taylor also went from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 with the introduction of Speight and Chib Chilaka but, for all City's obvious
muscular advantage, Morecambe hardly broke sweat in holding their 21st-minute lead.
The goal came as Mark Duffy produced instant control to a raking ball from defence, had his first cross blocked by
Gill but curled the second to the far post where striker Paul Mullin, who had a short loan spell with City last
year, tapped home as Jon McLaughlin scrambled across his line to no avail.
Mullin was outstanding in a lone front role, supported from behind by Andrew Fleming and with Duffy and Adam Rundle
hugging the touchlines to keep the game stretched.
Stewart Drummond was given the holding role but also showed initiative to get forward and Morecambe were by far the
brighter and more inventive side throughout.
It could perhaps have been different had City scored in the opening two minutes when left-footer Omar Daley cut in
from the right and struck a cross-shot against the far post and right-footer Hendrie raced in from the left to
volley over the bar.
Boos which greeted the final whistle were justified, admitted Taylor.
Bradford City: McLaughlin, Brown, Williams, Duff, Gill; Daley (Chilaka 62), Adeyemi, Bullock, Hendrie (O'Brien 70);
Oliver (Speight 46), Evans. Unused substitutes: Saxton, Rehman, Doherty, Moult.
Morecambe: Roche, Hunter, Bentley, Parrish, Wilson; Duffy, Drummond, Rundle (Brown 77); Fleming; Mullin. Unused
substitutes: Jones, Shuker, Spencer, Cowperthwaite, Capaldi.
Referee: S Mathieson (Cheshire).
MATCH FOCUS
Hero: Paul Mullin
The Morecambe striker gave a tremendous display of solitary front-running and City fans must wish the club had
signed him last season following a five-match loan spell at Valley Parade by the experienced former Accrington
Stanley player.
Villain: Luke Oliver
City's makeshift striker should have scored with a free header in the 36th minute but he would be comforted by
England striker Peter Crouch's similar wayward effort on 'Match of the Day'.
Key moment
2nd minute: Daley hits the post, Hendrie blazes the rebound over – what a difference a goal could have made.
Ref watch
Scott Mathieson: Worked well with his linesmen and got all the major decisions spot on.
Verdict
Peter Taylor must be hoping that Michael Flynn, James Hanson and Tommy Doherty return to fitness as soon as
possible after this abject display.
Next game
Hartlepool United v Bradford City, JP Trophy, tomorrow, 7.0pm.
Quote of the day
Stand up if you love your Shrimps.
– Morecambe's 218-strong travelling support as they watch their side gain their first win at Valley Parade.
===========================
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/8430234.print/
Bradford City midfielder heads to former club on confidence-boosting mission
7:00pm Monday 4th October 2010
By Simon Parker
The Johnstone's Paint Trophy feels like an unwanted diversion as City try to right their terrible league campaign.
Given the perilous position in the table, tonight's cup trip to Hartlepool seems small beer in comparison.
But that's not how Lee Bullock is viewing it.
The former Pools midfielder believes the trip to his old club offers a welcome diversion from their struggles in
the division.
And he hopes that a positive outcome at Victoria Park could provide the injection of confidence City desperately
need ahead of the weekend journey to fellow strugglers Barnet.
Bullock said: "Doing well in the cup can affect everything the right way. A cup run works wonders for everyone and
the pressure of our league position disappears for 90 minutes.
"There's no better feeling than beating decent teams in cup games and counting the games down to the finals. It can
get a changing room buzzing again.
"The JPT is a good competition. A lot of people have changed their views on it over the past couple of seasons.
"Maybe teams don't take the earlier rounds as seriously because it's the start of the season but once you get going
in it, you can see the excitement build.
"As I've said before, it's the best chance that teams at our level will ever have to get to Wembley."
City enjoyed their best-ever Trophy run last term. A first-round win at Rochdale was followed with thrilling
penalty shoot-out triumphs over Notts County and Port Vale at Valley Parade.
But with the mouth-watering prospect of a two-legged northern final against Leeds beckoning, they were seen off 3-0
by Greg Abbott's Carlisle.
They have already negotiated this season's opening hurdle with a bye. Now they face League One opposition in a tie
which has extra spice for Bullock.
He played 66 games for Hartlepool after signing for £100,000 from Cardiff in June 2005. Bullock still lives in his
native north-east but this will be his first senior outing at the club since.
"I played them in the reserves a couple of seasons back but have never been back there properly.
"I've still got a lot of good friends up there. They've kept the nucleus of the team together from then.
"I've been having a bit of stick with Andy Monkhouse, who lives in Leeds. It's a game I'm really looking forward to
and I imagine I'll have to find a few tickets for friends and family.
"I had two full seasons up there and had a relegation and a promotion. It was terrible being relegated the first
year and going down to this division.
"We had a sticky start again, a bit like here, but then got it going. It was a great dressing room to be in and we
went into every game very confident.
"It's the only time I've ever got promoted in my career and I always tell the lads here that there's no better
feeling than being part of a team that's going up and the celebrations that go with it.
"The next season didn't go so well but luckily I got the chance to go out on loan and ended up here."
===========================
npower League 2
Bradford City 0
Morecambe 1 (Mullin 23)
Kick Off: 3.00pm
at the Coral Windows Stadium
===========================
Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10266,00.html
Pictures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2173265,00.html?
"Last Match" Highlights on Bantams Player
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/player/LastMatch/0,,10266~1612005~36,00.html
===========================
Match stats
STAT ATTACK
Shrimpless Shrimps
3 Shots On Target 4
7 Shots Off Target 5
12 Fouls (Conceded) 4
5 Corners 4
1 Yellow Cards 2
0 Red Cards 0
Bradford: McLaughlan, Duff, Williams, Gill, Brown, Hendrie (O'Brien, 70 ) , Daley (Chilaka, 62 ) , Bullock,
Adeyemi, Evans, Oliver (Speight, 46 )
Subs not used: Rehman,Doherty,Saxton,Moult,
Morecambe: Roche, Parrish, Bentley, Wilson, Rundle ( Brown, 77 ) , Stanley, Drummond, Fleming, Duffy, Mullin,
Hunter
Subs not used: Jones, Capaldi, Spencer, Hendrie, Cowperthwaite, Shuker,
Bookings: Hendrie (Bradford) Duffy , Hunter (Morecambe)
Referee: S W Mathieson (Cheshire)
===========================
A message to fans travelling to Hartlepool
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2173440,00.html?
Tuesday night's opponents, Hartlepool United, have asked the football club to pass on the following message to it's
supporters:
Bradford City fans have been allocated the Rink End of Hartlepool United's Victoria Park.
The Club, like most Clubs, is acting upon guidance from the Football League on persistent standing.
Any spectator persistently standing during the game is liable to be ejected from the stadium.Hartlepool United also
confirms that anyone entering the stadium with bags or flasks is liable to be searched and checks will also be
carried-out to ensure concession tickets for children are not being used by adults.
The Club have contingency plans in place for all emergency situations; spectators are asked to co-operate with any
requests from stewards and to comply with the efforts being made by the Hartlepool United to ensure a safe
environment.
===========================
Monday morning report
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/8428731./
Natives have had enough as Bradford City plumb depths and Taylor steps up search for loan striker
6:50am Monday 4th October 2010
By Simon Parker
City 0, Morecambe 1
Just where do City go from here? That is the uncomfortable question foxing everyone at Valley Parade, from the two
chairmen down to the fans.
The season has already reached a crossroads. Which direction it takes next will be critical.
It is often said that the table doesn't take shape until you've played ten games. Well, City have now reached the
double-figure mark in a relegation spot with more defeats than they have scored goals.
Ten years ago, Peter Taylor was sitting proudly on top of the Premier League as manager of Leicester. Now only
Hereford are keeping his side from the bottom of the whole lot.
It's tough for him and impossible for the supporters, who once again vented their feelings at another unacceptable
performance. The natives have had enough.
Taylor will continue scratching around for solutions but seems no nearer finding a team he can have genuine faith
in delivering more than one good game in five.
He will once again scour for a loan striker this week; somebody capable of actually scoring a goal or two to lift
some of the all-pervading gloom.
But then, any striker needs a supply of ammunition and there has been precious little of that.
On Saturday, there were two big chances. The first came after 90 seconds when Omar Daley's cross-shot clunked back
into play off the far post as Morecambe keeper Barry Roche looked on.
Even then, the rebound fell to the player you would want; someone who has spent the bulk of his career earning a
living in the top flight. But Lee Hendrie skied it horribly.
The other gilt-edged opportunity fell to Luke Oliver after Gareth Evans had bulldozed his way through to cross.
Somehow the big man nodded past the post from six yards.
It confirmed Oliver's unwanted mantle as the general scapegoat for his side's current shortcomings, especially when
Taylor hooked him off at half-time.
But the manager still made a point of defending him from the critics afterwards, saying: "A few people have been
saying that Luke shouldn't be playing up front. But he's a centre half who's helping us out and doing an honest
job.
"When your confidence is as low as ours at the minute, then sometimes you need that big targetman. Playing the big
fella up front is the easier option.
"Ideally I'd like Michael Flynn to get fit and James Hanson to be back and playing like he was last year. If not, I
have to get another striker.
"But we certainly looked more like scoring in the first half with Luke on than we did in the second. We didn't
create anywhere near the same."
The second half was nearly half an hour old before City mustered another shot directly at Roche's goal and his
routine save from Evans was greeted with an ironic cheer from the disgruntled stands.
By that point, Daley too had been sacrificed. It was a case of "after the Lord Mayor's show" for the Jamaican, who
had made such an exciting return at the Don Valley.
That early shot apart, he was a peripheral figure more noticeable for the number of times he fell over.
Taylor admitted: "I wanted a bit more of what he did in the first minute. Unfortunately he seemed to have the wrong
studs on."
As general performances go, City looked to have the wrong feet on. Taylor gave Hendrie his much-anticipated first
start but he could not find the right role to fit.
Starting out wide, he naturally drifted inside as City's play became narrower and narrower. That allowed
Morecambe's full backs free rein to gallop up and down the flanks in support of lively wingers Adam Rundle and Mark
Duffy.
Taylor had debutants at both left and right back but his decision to blood both Manchester United youngsters and
rip up a defence that had blotted out free-scoring Rotherham so effectively did not go down well with the
supporters.
The loud ovation that Luke O'Brien received when he went to warm up on the touchline made that point quite
emphatically.
Growing tension in the crowd spilled over into a couple of incidents. Two young lads traded blows as they fought
for a loose ball which had sailed behind the goal, while a steward appeared to be marched out of the away end after
a heated confrontation.
If only City had shown a bit of that fight on the pitch. Instead, Morecambe were handed only their second win of
the season with the minimum of fuss and hassle. Fair enough, the Shrimps were good and passed it about nicely but
they were hardly extended at any point.
Their midfield bossed the show, with the creative Duffy the eye-catching pick of the bunch. And up front Mullin led
the line with authority, holding the ball up well and consistently bringing the red shirts around him into play.
His dad had turned down a ticket for the game because Valley Parade was his "unlucky ground". So he missed Mullin
bury that particular ghost when he flicked home at the far post from an inviting Duffy cross.
Mullin had half a dozen games chasing shadows when Stuart McCall brought him in during the late free-fall two
seasons ago. On Saturday he looked exactly the type of targetman that Taylor's City would kill for.
Maybe it would have been different if Daley's shot had gone in or Hendrie had got his head over the rebound. But
just like at Northampton the week before, it's hard to fathom how City could turn in such a limp effort on the back
of the gutsy display in midweek.
Taylor would like to dismiss this latest setback as a one-off but it is happening too often for that. Depressingly,
it's the decent displays such as the one against the Millers which are the rarities.
Next up, forgetting the JP Trophy tomorrow night, is the weekend trip to fellow strugglers Barnet. It's a fixture
that has suddenly taken on mammoth proportions.
While it is still very early in the campaign, the signs are desperately worrying. City cannot afford to take
another wrong turn. Attendance: 10,640
===========================
Daley hits post early but it's all downhill from there for Bradford City
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/8428690.print/
7:50am Monday 4th October 2010
By Simon Parker
Peter Taylor admitted that the Valley Parade boo boys were right to heckle him and his team.
Angry fans vented their fury after Saturday's home loss to Morecambe dumped City into the bottom two.
Taylor's team were booed off at half-time and at the end of their sixth loss in the opening ten League Two games.
And once again they failed to add to their tally of only four goals.
The City boss said: "I'm the first one to say booing isn't right if the players are doing everything they can.
"But I thought Morecambe worked harder than us, ran around more than us and looked the better. In that respect, it
was justified.
"I do agree with what the supporters are saying. They are very frustrated and I'm 100 per cent with them. I'm
amazed as much as they are.
"I'm the manager who picked the players, so I suppose it's my fault, but the ones who are playing at the minute are
not doing as well as I expected."
Omar Daley hit the post with City's first attack but they failed to kick on and were beaten by a solitary strike
from Paul Mullin, who had been on loan at the club under Stuart McCall.
Taylor said: "We seem to be a team that has to start well to have a good 90 minutes. That shouldn't be the case.
"We were flat and the players didn't look confident. It was the opposite to what happened on Tuesday night (against
Rotherham).
"It's not an easy one to work out but you never know what type of player's going to turn up. It's very frustrating.
"The last six matches of last season we were playing confidently, we were playing well in front of the crowd and
handling every situation. But this year has been the opposite."
Taylor gave debuts to Manchester United youngsters Reece Brown and Oliver Gill but left Tommy Doherty on the bench
to mend his injured ankle.
The City boss said: "Every time he kicks the ball it opens the joint up. The supporters haven't seen Tom 100 per
cent fit yet, he's probably 70 per cent.
"But the physio said that a week off would help him. I wanted to take that chance.
"I thought the two young boys from Man United did fine. But it's not easy to come into our team at the minute
because we are very low on confidence."
Michael Flynn will make his first appearance with a half-hour run-out in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at Hartlepool
tomorrow night. He has been sidelined with a groin injury which also needed a double hernia operation.
Taylor said: "I still think he's training within himself and hasn't stretched out. That's the big worry."
===========================
===========================
YP report
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/football/Bradford-City-0-Morecambe-1.6562397.jp
Bradford City 0 Morecambe 1: Miserable start continues
Published Date:
02 October 2010
By Robert Gledhill at Valley Parade
NO city or town has lost two clubs from the Football League – Bradford is in danger of becomming the first.
City have overcome far worse crises than they are currently confronting yet it is not being alarmist to say that
after this display the pre-season promotion favourites are in danger of dropping into the Conference.
Neighbours Bradford Park Avenue were voted out of the Football League in 1970 – a place in League Two's bottom two
this season will result in automatic relegation for City.
That is where they sit now, just three points above Hereford United with eight points from their opening 10 games,
just half the tally they had gleaned last season when they finished 14th.
It is going to take all Peter Taylor's vast experience to lift the club and the manager is as frustrated as anyone,
especially after ending last season on a high with four wins and two draws from their last six games.
The one consolation is that visitors Morecambe, who began the day one place below City, have an identical record to
last season with 10 points from their opening 10 games and Sammy McIlroy's side went on to clinch a place in the
play-offs.
The way they approached this game with a certain amount of swagger and undoubted self-belief must have brought
envious glances from the City fans, who had to endure watching their side lump the ball forward.
"Sort it out Taylor," was a plaintive cry from the stand as confidence-shredded City rarely looked capable of
retrieving anything against a side shorn through hamstring injuries of their regular centre-backs.
One of the biggest gripes among the faithful – and there were still over 10,000 in the ground – is Taylor's
decision to play central defender Luke Oliver as a striker yet the side created even fewer opportunities once he
had been withdrawn at the break following a glaring miss in the 36th minute.
Partner Gareth Evans, whose 100 per cent wholehearted effort should be a beacon to team-mates, hustled Craig
Stanley off the ball and sent an inviting cross which Oliver met with a bullet header way off target into the Kop.
Taylor justified his selection, saying: "A few people have been saying Luke Oliver should not play up front and I
know he is a centre-half who is helping us out and who is doing an honest job. We did not create a load of chances
in the first half but we certainly looked like scoring more than in the second. We are a team that's low on
confidence and sometimes you need that big target man.
"In the end we tried to play a smaller player to get the service into the striker to hurt a slower centre-half but
you've got to have a confident team to do that – you have to be able to pass the ball into people.
"That's why we have been playing the big fellow up front because we are not the most confident team at the minute
so it's an easier option just to lump the ball forward.
"In the end, we were 1-0 down and it was worth the gamble to see if we could get the ball into Jake Speight or
Gareth Evans but, unfortunately, it didn't happen."
Taylor brought in Manchester United loanees Reece Brown and Oliver Gill as full-backs but that did not go down well
with fans of left-back Luke O'Brien, who came on as a second-half substitute into an unaccustomed midfield role as
Lee Hendrie, still not match fit, was rested after his first start for the club.
Taylor also went from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 with the introduction of Speight and Chib Chilaka but, for all City's obvious
muscular advantage, Morecambe hardly broke sweat in holding their 21st-minute lead.
The goal came as Mark Duffy produced instant control to a raking ball from defence, had his first cross blocked by
Gill but curled the second to the far post where striker Paul Mullin, who had a short loan spell with City last
year, tapped home as Jon McLaughlin scrambled across his line to no avail.
Mullin was outstanding in a lone front role, supported from behind by Andrew Fleming and with Duffy and Adam Rundle
hugging the touchlines to keep the game stretched.
Stewart Drummond was given the holding role but also showed initiative to get forward and Morecambe were by far the
brighter and more inventive side throughout.
It could perhaps have been different had City scored in the opening two minutes when left-footer Omar Daley cut in
from the right and struck a cross-shot against the far post and right-footer Hendrie raced in from the left to
volley over the bar.
Boos which greeted the final whistle were justified, admitted Taylor.
Bradford City: McLaughlin, Brown, Williams, Duff, Gill; Daley (Chilaka 62), Adeyemi, Bullock, Hendrie (O'Brien 70);
Oliver (Speight 46), Evans. Unused substitutes: Saxton, Rehman, Doherty, Moult.
Morecambe: Roche, Hunter, Bentley, Parrish, Wilson; Duffy, Drummond, Rundle (Brown 77); Fleming; Mullin. Unused
substitutes: Jones, Shuker, Spencer, Cowperthwaite, Capaldi.
Referee: S Mathieson (Cheshire).
MATCH FOCUS
Hero: Paul Mullin
The Morecambe striker gave a tremendous display of solitary front-running and City fans must wish the club had
signed him last season following a five-match loan spell at Valley Parade by the experienced former Accrington
Stanley player.
Villain: Luke Oliver
City's makeshift striker should have scored with a free header in the 36th minute but he would be comforted by
England striker Peter Crouch's similar wayward effort on 'Match of the Day'.
Key moment
2nd minute: Daley hits the post, Hendrie blazes the rebound over – what a difference a goal could have made.
Ref watch
Scott Mathieson: Worked well with his linesmen and got all the major decisions spot on.
Verdict
Peter Taylor must be hoping that Michael Flynn, James Hanson and Tommy Doherty return to fitness as soon as
possible after this abject display.
Next game
Hartlepool United v Bradford City, JP Trophy, tomorrow, 7.0pm.
Quote of the day
Stand up if you love your Shrimps.
– Morecambe's 218-strong travelling support as they watch their side gain their first win at Valley Parade.
===========================
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/8430234.print/
Bradford City midfielder heads to former club on confidence-boosting mission
7:00pm Monday 4th October 2010
By Simon Parker
The Johnstone's Paint Trophy feels like an unwanted diversion as City try to right their terrible league campaign.
Given the perilous position in the table, tonight's cup trip to Hartlepool seems small beer in comparison.
But that's not how Lee Bullock is viewing it.
The former Pools midfielder believes the trip to his old club offers a welcome diversion from their struggles in
the division.
And he hopes that a positive outcome at Victoria Park could provide the injection of confidence City desperately
need ahead of the weekend journey to fellow strugglers Barnet.
Bullock said: "Doing well in the cup can affect everything the right way. A cup run works wonders for everyone and
the pressure of our league position disappears for 90 minutes.
"There's no better feeling than beating decent teams in cup games and counting the games down to the finals. It can
get a changing room buzzing again.
"The JPT is a good competition. A lot of people have changed their views on it over the past couple of seasons.
"Maybe teams don't take the earlier rounds as seriously because it's the start of the season but once you get going
in it, you can see the excitement build.
"As I've said before, it's the best chance that teams at our level will ever have to get to Wembley."
City enjoyed their best-ever Trophy run last term. A first-round win at Rochdale was followed with thrilling
penalty shoot-out triumphs over Notts County and Port Vale at Valley Parade.
But with the mouth-watering prospect of a two-legged northern final against Leeds beckoning, they were seen off 3-0
by Greg Abbott's Carlisle.
They have already negotiated this season's opening hurdle with a bye. Now they face League One opposition in a tie
which has extra spice for Bullock.
He played 66 games for Hartlepool after signing for £100,000 from Cardiff in June 2005. Bullock still lives in his
native north-east but this will be his first senior outing at the club since.
"I played them in the reserves a couple of seasons back but have never been back there properly.
"I've still got a lot of good friends up there. They've kept the nucleus of the team together from then.
"I've been having a bit of stick with Andy Monkhouse, who lives in Leeds. It's a game I'm really looking forward to
and I imagine I'll have to find a few tickets for friends and family.
"I had two full seasons up there and had a relegation and a promotion. It was terrible being relegated the first
year and going down to this division.
"We had a sticky start again, a bit like here, but then got it going. It was a great dressing room to be in and we
went into every game very confident.
"It's the only time I've ever got promoted in my career and I always tell the lads here that there's no better
feeling than being part of a team that's going up and the celebrations that go with it.
"The next season didn't go so well but luckily I got the chance to go out on loan and ended up here."
===========================
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