Read this article online
http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/46810838356/
===========================
Signings, Loans and Injuries
Injuries
===========================
Preview
Preview followed by live coverage of Saturday's League One game between Bradford City and Coventry City.
http://bbc.in/1sDUVv3
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/11399595.FT__City_3_Coventry_City_2/
Highlight/ Goal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsYMIOUs9uQ&list=UUch_NWdo3JWKngAyO9XlycA&index=2
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/video/3723612792001/
Post Game Interview
Parkinson after opening day victory -
http://t.co/JtJTuVD3DS
Bantams boss Phil Parkinson encouraged by City's opening day display against Coventry City
http://t.co/sYIXH3YYHs
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/11399788.VIDEO__Parkinson_reaction_as_Bradford_City_make_their_mark_with_win_on_first_day/
===========================
Final whistle - match report
Hanson display leaves Bantams fans light-headed but it's a dark day for Pressley
8:03am Monday 11th August 2014
By Simon Parker
Bradford City 3 Coventry City 2
WELCOME to the new age of City, Mr Pressley – not the "dark" one you criticised so sourly on Coventry's last visit.
As grand unveilings go, this was as exhilarating as you can get for the vast majority of a buzzing Valley Parade audience.
Okay, the performance wasn't perfect – but you won't have heard too many grumbles from the fans lapping up a first win on the opening day for six years.
To put that wait into context, Portsmouth had just won the FA Cup and George W Bush was still the US president when the Bantams last began with a maximum.
Peter Thorne's double did for Notts County on that occasion in 2008; this time it was two trademark headers from James Hanson that sent the Sky Blues away empty handed.
It had been that long since the big man had scored that he couldn't even remember himself. It was Colchester away, mid-March, James...
But having kept his powder dry through pre-season, Hanson exploded when it counted – and you'll be hard pressed to find a better finish and cross than City's winner.
The drought-breaking didn't stop there. City were even awarded a penalty – their first since Coventry were the Valley Parade opponents last November.
The spot-kick that day was their only one all season; a huge bugbear for Phil Parkinson, who felt that City – and Hanson in particular – got a raw deal when it came to penalty-box grappling.
But Mike Dean had no doubts about Reda Johnson's attempt to throw Hanson to the floor from a corner.
Ironically that previous penalty had been given by a Premier League referee as well, Kevin Friend. It does make you wonder whether the less experienced officials that proliferate League One arrive at Valley Parade with a sub-conscious thought of not being "swayed" by the size of the home crowd.
Dean's experience also told deep in stoppage time when Coventry substitute John Fleck threw himself theatrically in the desperate hope of evening it up from the spot. His reward was a justified yellow card for diving.
"The big refs get the big calls right," said a relieved City boss later. "That's why they are at the top of the game."
Parkinson's players were certainly on top of their own game for large periods and the crowd appreciated the easy-on-the-eye football.
It has been a testing summer as he revamps the squad but, while the fringes have been an on-going concern, he has assembled a team who like to play.
The fans have taken to the new boys already. Billy Knott, or should that be Billy Whizz with his constant energy, is already being serenaded with his own song and Billy Clarke enjoyed a debut as good as any.
His link-up play with Hanson was a joy to watch and Aaron Mclean, who made a welcome cameo at the end, will have to be on his toes on this evidence.
City took a while to slip into their groove and Coventry wasted two good chances early on as the hosts lived on their nerves.
Alan Sheehan was caught ball-watching by Jordan Clarke but the defender got too much loft on his lob over Jordan Pickford.
Then Jim O'Brien burst through on Danny Pugh's pass but failed to hit the target with a rushed shot.
With those scares survived, City settled into the game. Hanson and the point-proving Jason Kennedy should have scored before the target man did.
Hanson powered home Clarke's cross after a great bit of closing down from Knott had wrestled the ball off O'Brien.
Parkinson had asked his players to put down a marker on the first day – that passage of play summed up precisely what he had talked about.
Mark Yeates, looking at home in the hole, nearly doubled City's advantage before Coventry burst the bubble just before the break as Johnson beat Andrew Davies and Pickford to a Pugh corner.
The new keeper showed some uncertainty from corners but Parkinson absolved him of any blame because of the "Premier League quality" delivery of the ball.
But City soon regained their advantage from a corner of their own when Dean clocked Johnson dragging Hanson away from Sheehan's cross. The left back, who had scored seven times last term for Notts County, opened his account by sending Ryan Allsop the wrong way.
The noise level hit maximum as Valley Parade rejoiced in a City side clearly enjoying themselves. But you still sensed they needed that security of a third goal.
Home hearts were in mouths 15 minutes from time when Pickford went to punch another Pugh corner but only fisted fresh air. Thankfully the calm presence of Gary Liddle protecting the goalline made sure the ensuing scramble came to nothing.
Coventry went more direct as the clock ticked away and threw the hulking Johnson into attack. Mr Pot meet Mr Kettle.
But Steven Pressley's gamble looked to have paid off when the Benin international jabbed home his second goal of the game after Pickford had acrobatically blocked Marcus Tudgay's close-range header.
Pressley said afterwards that he felt his side could go on and win the game from that point. Instead they were floored by the ultimate sucker punch.
There was less than half a minute between the afternoon's fourth and fifth goals as the away end's songs of celebration were strangled in their throats.
The Coventry players were still on a high as the born-again Kennedy set off on a determined right-wing dash.
He twisted inside then nutmegged through a defender's legs before whipping over the sort of cross that Hanson dreams about. His cannonball connection did the rest.
"There's a light at the end of every tunnel" tweeted Kennedy on Saturday night and his contribution was appreciated by Hanson rushed over to congratulate him.
Dean then made certain there was no chance of back-to-back 3-3s by spotting Fleck's dramatic tumble and City's season was up and running.
It had been a hectic week of recruitment for Parkinson and the signs suggest more will follow shortly via the loan market.
But he diverted post-match discussion back to the players already here. They had done a pretty convincing job for starters.
===========================
When the dust settled - match report
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/11400484.Hanson_hails_Kennedy_s__magic__touch_after_Bradford_City_beat_Coventry/
Hanson hails Kennedy's 'magic' touch after Bradford City beat Coventry
7:05am Monday 11th August 2014
By Simon Parker
TWO-goal James Hanson diverted the praise on to team-mate Jason Kennedy for City's flying start to League One.
Hanson's last-gasp header from a Kennedy cross, straight after Coventry had equalised for a second time, clinched a thrilling 3-2 win at Valley Parade.
It was City's first opening-day league victory for six years and Hanson's first goals since March. But the striker acknowledged the supporting role of midfielder Kennedy, whose Valley Parade future has been in the balance after a tough first season at the club.
Hanson said: "JK's had a bit of a weird summer because he didn't know if he was coming or going. But he just kept his head down and got his rewards.
"Everyone's head dropped after they scored again but he produced a little bit of magic at the end. Coventry switched off after scoring and he found that touch of quality with the cross.
"It was quite an easy header. Parky (Steve Parkin) does a lot of those crosses in training and you just have to direct it because the power is already on the ball.
"The gaffer's been saying all week that we need to get more crosses in and be a bit more positive. It's my job to get on the end of them."
Kennedy is determined to win over Phil Parkinson and the City boss gave him a starting role over Matty Dolan.
Parkinson said: "Jason struggled last year to dislodge Nathan Doyle and Gary Jones, two very good players. When he came in, he found it physically tough because he's a player who's used to playing. But he said to me he feels he has a point to prove to the crowd, to himself and to me.
"As a player you've got to let your performances do the talking and that was a good start for him."
With his back injury solved, Hanson believes he can rediscover top form again after a frustrating end to the last campaign.
The striker added: "It was so frustrating because I missed that many games. It felt brilliant just to be back out there.
"My main aim in the summer has been to get the back right and build my fitness. If I'm being honest, it took all pre-season to get my sharpness back."
Parkinson saluted the efforts of his centre forward and said: "We know if we put balls in those areas, his leap, his power and his coolness is second to none. It was a magnificent performance."
The City chief was just as happy to see Hanson win their first penalty for nine months after a tug from Reda Johnson at a corner. Alan Sheehan converted it in front of the Kop.
"We only had one penalty last year and it's been a big talking point for us.
"Hanson gets pulled all over the place but gets foul after foul (given) against him.
"I was pleased to see a bit of justice after the way Reda Johnson was grappling with him. It was great movement from a corner and I shouted before the ref even blew his whistle."
Hanson added: "It was a stone-wall penalty. He just grabbed me and didn't let me go.
"There have been a few like that so it's just nice to see decisions go my way. But the main thing was the three points because we haven't won on the first day for a while."
===========================
A BIG THANK YOU
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/news/article/a-big-thank-you-coventry-home-opener-14-1819349.aspx
===========================
http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/46810838356/
===========================
Signings, Loans and Injuries
Injuries
===========================
Preview
Preview followed by live coverage of Saturday's League One game between Bradford City and Coventry City.
http://bbc.in/1sDUVv3
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/11399595.FT__City_3_Coventry_City_2/
Highlight/ Goal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsYMIOUs9uQ&list=UUch_NWdo3JWKngAyO9XlycA&index=2
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/video/3723612792001/
Post Game Interview
Parkinson after opening day victory -
http://t.co/JtJTuVD3DS
Bantams boss Phil Parkinson encouraged by City's opening day display against Coventry City
http://t.co/sYIXH3YYHs
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/11399788.VIDEO__Parkinson_reaction_as_Bradford_City_make_their_mark_with_win_on_first_day/
===========================
Final whistle - match report
Hanson display leaves Bantams fans light-headed but it's a dark day for Pressley
8:03am Monday 11th August 2014
By Simon Parker
Bradford City 3 Coventry City 2
WELCOME to the new age of City, Mr Pressley – not the "dark" one you criticised so sourly on Coventry's last visit.
As grand unveilings go, this was as exhilarating as you can get for the vast majority of a buzzing Valley Parade audience.
Okay, the performance wasn't perfect – but you won't have heard too many grumbles from the fans lapping up a first win on the opening day for six years.
To put that wait into context, Portsmouth had just won the FA Cup and George W Bush was still the US president when the Bantams last began with a maximum.
Peter Thorne's double did for Notts County on that occasion in 2008; this time it was two trademark headers from James Hanson that sent the Sky Blues away empty handed.
It had been that long since the big man had scored that he couldn't even remember himself. It was Colchester away, mid-March, James...
But having kept his powder dry through pre-season, Hanson exploded when it counted – and you'll be hard pressed to find a better finish and cross than City's winner.
The drought-breaking didn't stop there. City were even awarded a penalty – their first since Coventry were the Valley Parade opponents last November.
The spot-kick that day was their only one all season; a huge bugbear for Phil Parkinson, who felt that City – and Hanson in particular – got a raw deal when it came to penalty-box grappling.
But Mike Dean had no doubts about Reda Johnson's attempt to throw Hanson to the floor from a corner.
Ironically that previous penalty had been given by a Premier League referee as well, Kevin Friend. It does make you wonder whether the less experienced officials that proliferate League One arrive at Valley Parade with a sub-conscious thought of not being "swayed" by the size of the home crowd.
Dean's experience also told deep in stoppage time when Coventry substitute John Fleck threw himself theatrically in the desperate hope of evening it up from the spot. His reward was a justified yellow card for diving.
"The big refs get the big calls right," said a relieved City boss later. "That's why they are at the top of the game."
Parkinson's players were certainly on top of their own game for large periods and the crowd appreciated the easy-on-the-eye football.
It has been a testing summer as he revamps the squad but, while the fringes have been an on-going concern, he has assembled a team who like to play.
The fans have taken to the new boys already. Billy Knott, or should that be Billy Whizz with his constant energy, is already being serenaded with his own song and Billy Clarke enjoyed a debut as good as any.
His link-up play with Hanson was a joy to watch and Aaron Mclean, who made a welcome cameo at the end, will have to be on his toes on this evidence.
City took a while to slip into their groove and Coventry wasted two good chances early on as the hosts lived on their nerves.
Alan Sheehan was caught ball-watching by Jordan Clarke but the defender got too much loft on his lob over Jordan Pickford.
Then Jim O'Brien burst through on Danny Pugh's pass but failed to hit the target with a rushed shot.
With those scares survived, City settled into the game. Hanson and the point-proving Jason Kennedy should have scored before the target man did.
Hanson powered home Clarke's cross after a great bit of closing down from Knott had wrestled the ball off O'Brien.
Parkinson had asked his players to put down a marker on the first day – that passage of play summed up precisely what he had talked about.
Mark Yeates, looking at home in the hole, nearly doubled City's advantage before Coventry burst the bubble just before the break as Johnson beat Andrew Davies and Pickford to a Pugh corner.
The new keeper showed some uncertainty from corners but Parkinson absolved him of any blame because of the "Premier League quality" delivery of the ball.
But City soon regained their advantage from a corner of their own when Dean clocked Johnson dragging Hanson away from Sheehan's cross. The left back, who had scored seven times last term for Notts County, opened his account by sending Ryan Allsop the wrong way.
The noise level hit maximum as Valley Parade rejoiced in a City side clearly enjoying themselves. But you still sensed they needed that security of a third goal.
Home hearts were in mouths 15 minutes from time when Pickford went to punch another Pugh corner but only fisted fresh air. Thankfully the calm presence of Gary Liddle protecting the goalline made sure the ensuing scramble came to nothing.
Coventry went more direct as the clock ticked away and threw the hulking Johnson into attack. Mr Pot meet Mr Kettle.
But Steven Pressley's gamble looked to have paid off when the Benin international jabbed home his second goal of the game after Pickford had acrobatically blocked Marcus Tudgay's close-range header.
Pressley said afterwards that he felt his side could go on and win the game from that point. Instead they were floored by the ultimate sucker punch.
There was less than half a minute between the afternoon's fourth and fifth goals as the away end's songs of celebration were strangled in their throats.
The Coventry players were still on a high as the born-again Kennedy set off on a determined right-wing dash.
He twisted inside then nutmegged through a defender's legs before whipping over the sort of cross that Hanson dreams about. His cannonball connection did the rest.
"There's a light at the end of every tunnel" tweeted Kennedy on Saturday night and his contribution was appreciated by Hanson rushed over to congratulate him.
Dean then made certain there was no chance of back-to-back 3-3s by spotting Fleck's dramatic tumble and City's season was up and running.
It had been a hectic week of recruitment for Parkinson and the signs suggest more will follow shortly via the loan market.
But he diverted post-match discussion back to the players already here. They had done a pretty convincing job for starters.
===========================
When the dust settled - match report
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/11400484.Hanson_hails_Kennedy_s__magic__touch_after_Bradford_City_beat_Coventry/
Hanson hails Kennedy's 'magic' touch after Bradford City beat Coventry
7:05am Monday 11th August 2014
By Simon Parker
TWO-goal James Hanson diverted the praise on to team-mate Jason Kennedy for City's flying start to League One.
Hanson's last-gasp header from a Kennedy cross, straight after Coventry had equalised for a second time, clinched a thrilling 3-2 win at Valley Parade.
It was City's first opening-day league victory for six years and Hanson's first goals since March. But the striker acknowledged the supporting role of midfielder Kennedy, whose Valley Parade future has been in the balance after a tough first season at the club.
Hanson said: "JK's had a bit of a weird summer because he didn't know if he was coming or going. But he just kept his head down and got his rewards.
"Everyone's head dropped after they scored again but he produced a little bit of magic at the end. Coventry switched off after scoring and he found that touch of quality with the cross.
"It was quite an easy header. Parky (Steve Parkin) does a lot of those crosses in training and you just have to direct it because the power is already on the ball.
"The gaffer's been saying all week that we need to get more crosses in and be a bit more positive. It's my job to get on the end of them."
Kennedy is determined to win over Phil Parkinson and the City boss gave him a starting role over Matty Dolan.
Parkinson said: "Jason struggled last year to dislodge Nathan Doyle and Gary Jones, two very good players. When he came in, he found it physically tough because he's a player who's used to playing. But he said to me he feels he has a point to prove to the crowd, to himself and to me.
"As a player you've got to let your performances do the talking and that was a good start for him."
With his back injury solved, Hanson believes he can rediscover top form again after a frustrating end to the last campaign.
The striker added: "It was so frustrating because I missed that many games. It felt brilliant just to be back out there.
"My main aim in the summer has been to get the back right and build my fitness. If I'm being honest, it took all pre-season to get my sharpness back."
Parkinson saluted the efforts of his centre forward and said: "We know if we put balls in those areas, his leap, his power and his coolness is second to none. It was a magnificent performance."
The City chief was just as happy to see Hanson win their first penalty for nine months after a tug from Reda Johnson at a corner. Alan Sheehan converted it in front of the Kop.
"We only had one penalty last year and it's been a big talking point for us.
"Hanson gets pulled all over the place but gets foul after foul (given) against him.
"I was pleased to see a bit of justice after the way Reda Johnson was grappling with him. It was great movement from a corner and I shouted before the ref even blew his whistle."
Hanson added: "It was a stone-wall penalty. He just grabbed me and didn't let me go.
"There have been a few like that so it's just nice to see decisions go my way. But the main thing was the three points because we haven't won on the first day for a while."
===========================
A BIG THANK YOU
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/news/article/a-big-thank-you-coventry-home-opener-14-1819349.aspx
===========================
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