Wednesday, November 27, 2013

L1 W3-2 (a) Milton Keys Dons Saturday November 23, 2013. K.O. 3:00PM. #bcafc

Read this article online
http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/46810838356/


===========================

Signings, Loans and Injuries


Injuries

===========================


General Links

Current table
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/league-table/
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/league-one/table
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/standings?leagueTag=ENG.3&lang=EN&wjb=

Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/fixtures-list/
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/scoreboard?leagueTag=ENG.3&lang=EN

The "Social media Corner"
http://paper.li/f-1315926867
http://www.bradfordcity.tv/

Head to Head stats
http://www.11v11.com/teams/bradford-city/tab/opposingTeams
http://www.statto.com/football/teams/bradford-city/

T&A Reports & Pictures
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sport_bantams_pics2012/

Bantams Player (subscription required)
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/commercial/Bantams-player/

BBC headlines and highlights (video may be uk only)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/bradford-city

Pulse audio (last match highlights, post match interviews)
http://www.pulse.co.uk/on-air/pulse-sport/

Match stats
http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=234#teamTabs=results

2013 suite
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYVaty8hdHg

2013 DVD trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFvZKFeCPt8&feature=share

Fairplay standings
http://espnfc.com/stats/fairplay/_/league/eng.3/english-league-one?cc=5901

===========================

Preview
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24968208

Game links
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/gamecast?gameId=368256&action=stats&lang=EN&wjb=

Goals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj845G2mqm4

Live Blog
www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10830682.FT__MK_Dons_2_City_3/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNUwPxIJdvc&feature=youtu.be


===========================

Final whistle - match report


Parkinson: Winning goal summed up Bradford City

6:20pm Saturday 23rd November 2013

By Simon Parker

Phil Parkinson was delighted with City's first win in eight games which restored their place in the League One play-off zone.

Jason Kennedy's late goal clinched a 3-2 victory at MK Dons, who had twice hit back from earlier strikes by Nahki Wells and Kyel Reid.

Parkinson said: "We're all on a high because MK Dons don't lose many at this place.

"I've brought a Charlton team here many times and it's a really difficult place to play. They are a very good side and they've got an England under-21 international at the top of the pitch.

"But the way we responded (at 2-2) was outstanding and the winning goal typified what we're all about. It was outstanding play.

"Mark Yeates showed a real moment of quality and James Meredith has driven 60 yards up the outside to cross it. Then Jason Kennedy, who hasn't played for a while, is in the six-yard box to win us the game."


===========================

When the dust settled - match report

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10831256.Attack_of_the__Ginger_Ninja__as_his_killer_strike_sees_Bantams_claim_first_win_in_eight_matches/


Attack of the 'Ginger Ninja' as his killer strike sees Bantams claim first win in eight matches

8:00am Monday 25th November 2013

By Simon Parker

MK Dons 2 Bradford City 3

In a week when the world remembered JFK, it was another Kennedy who presided over this long overdue victory.

The global headlines may have been dominated by the 50th anniversary of John F Kennedy's assassination. But it was JBK that delivered the parting shot to steal the limelight for City.

Jason Brian Kennedy, to give him his full name, or the "Ginger Ninja" according to good pal Gary Jones, emerged from the Valley Parade shadows to breathe fresh life into the play-off campaign.

His surprise selection had been no conspiracy, simply the choice of Phil Parkinson to rattle things around a bit in an engine room that had been looking a little jaded of late.

And there was no grassy knoll from where he delivered his deadly finish in the 84th minute – just an unguarded six-yard box after a lung-busting burst from one half to the other.

For Kennedy, it was a first vindication to his boss that he had been worth persisting with after an original move collapsed in the final hours of the January transfer window.

His minimal contribution since finally arriving in the summer had hardly presented the strongest case. So given the opportunity here – and Nathan Doyle leaves big boots to fill – he eagerly grasped it with both hands.

His alertness to pop up in the danger zone on the off chance was proof of the goal-scoring reputation that accompanied Kennedy across the Pennines. He scored seven for Rochdale last season.

It was also the sort of midfielder's finish which has been missing from City's armoury. Ironically the last player of that ilk in these parts, David Syers, was notching two at the same time from similarly close range for Scunthorpe.

Kennedy's game-winning contribution should have also heartened the rest of the fringe players who have spent the first few months of the campaign on the outside looking in.

Up to Saturday, none of the recruits since promotion have really shoved their credentials in front of the supporters.

"That's only because they haven't had many chances," Parkinson pointed out. "But for someone to come in the team, be the hero and get the goal was so important for the whole squad.

"They are all thinking 'what do I do to get in?' That sort of contribution is what we want.

"Jason is a very good player and doesn't lack confidence. I just wanted his extra energy in there.

"He had a difficult first ten minutes but the speed of the surface caught a few of the boys out. But after that, I felt he grew into the game and was magnificent – he was our best player."

And make no mistake, this was a huge win for the Bantams. It has been a long time since October 5 when they last pocketed three points at Walsall.

The sheen from that glossy start to League One life had started to dull as reality kicked in. The doom and gloomers, so noticeable by their absence since the middle of March, were beginning to crawl back out of their holes.

Defeat on Saturday would have dropped them into mid-table. Hardly a critical scenario but given their lofty bearing among the early pace-setters, a reminder of how unforgiving this division can be.

Instead, they are back on the right side of the play-off line with a home game against struggling Notts County tomorrow offering a further chance to build momentum.

Stadium:mk is one of the best arenas at this level, even if the atmosphere comes across a bit happy-clappy. Everything still feels too new for a club barely over a decade old.

They are never going to win any popularity contests given the controversial nature of their birth. The fans nicked the Millwall anthem "no-one likes us" to acknowledge that.

An enthusiastic chorus of "MK Army" hardly registers on the same spine-shivering scale as the guttural growl when the Den get going but this remains one of League One's most difficult stop-offs.

The Dons had lost only once at home in eight before the weekend. They move the ball quickly and slickly – Steven Pressley would no doubt approve – and possess two of the hottest prospects in the lower leagues.

Technically as a Chelsea player, Patrick Bamford is above all this anyway. The on-loan striker had made his England under-21 debut four days earlier and looks destined for a higher level.

So does 17-year-old midfielder Dele Alli, a precocious talent already being talked of in the £3million bracket.

Neither of those disappointed on Saturday – nor did the visitors. Presented with such a test, they stuck to their task manfully.

For the first 20 minutes, it had the feel of a very long afternoon for the 1,004 fans who had travelled from West Yorkshire.

Play was camped in away territory and when they did get possession, the Bantams struggled to string more than a couple of passes together.

Then Nahki Wells pounced. The Dons, who had already hit the bar through Shaun Williams, were opened up on their left and the Bermudian was alive to good work from Garry Thompson to work the cross beyond Ian McLoughlin.

Thompson then had an unwitting assist in the equaliser. Trying one trick too many on the halfway line, he was robbed by Darren Potter and Bamford needed no encouragement to join Wells on 13 goals for the season.

The hosts pushed forward again – only for City to stun them for a second time. Kyel Reid tore forward purposefully from the halfway line as far as the edge of the penalty area.

James Hanson wanted the cross but Reid got too much on it – and then watched with glee as his chipped effort soared over the keeper and inside the top corner. "Cross!" smiled Parkinson afterwards as he pre-empted the inevitable inquiry.

It was a major bonus for City and they looked to cash in from the resumption with a determined push for a third.

Wells clipped a post from a free-kick and Hanson twice went close from corners. But when the next goal materialised, it was at the other end from a Williams penalty.

The fact that the spot-kick was awarded after much delay on the say-so of the fourth official did not matter. Wells had blatantly tripped Alli and there were no arguments in the City camp.

But far from digging in for a point, they delivered another grandstand finish.

There was no "dark age" twist to this late strike; just top-notch movement, anticipation and fitness.

Sub Mark Yeates, in point-proving mode, cleverly released James Meredith on the overlap. The Aussie, who had covered two-thirds of the pitch, fired across goal and there was Kennedy in the perfect spot.

===========================

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10831244.There_s_more_where_that_came_from__says_jubilant_Bradford_City_match_winner_Kennedy/


There's more where that came from, says jubilant Bradford City match-winner Kennedy

7:00am Monday 25th November 2013

By Simon Parker

Jason Kennedy has promised City fans his winning goal is only the beginning.

The midfielder put a slow start to his Valley Parade career behind him by converting the late clincher at MK Dons.

Saturday's 3-2 victory – City's first in eight games – lifted them back into the play-off zone.

Kennedy's first goal for the club also backed up Phil Parkinson's call to bring him in for central midfield regular Nathan Doyle.

Kennedy said: "I think that goal's done me the world of good. I've been in and out the squad and when you get the opportunity, you've got to take it.

"Supporters have only seen glimpses of me so far. Hopefully they'll learn what I'm about as a player. I want to kick on from here and get more goals and produce more performances to help Bradford get the points we need."

It was only Kennedy's second start in League One as Parkinson stuck with the Gary Jones and Doyle axis that was behind last season's promotion.

Parkinson said: "We've gone with more or less the same lads through this run and we felt it was time to freshen it up a little bit. We took the decision to give Jason the opportunity over Nathan and he certainly took it."

Kennedy admitted he was under pressure to impress but added: "Doyley was the first person to come over and wish me luck when he knew I was playing.

"It means an awful lot when a fellow midfielder is wishing you well. But there's a great spirit among the lads. Doyley and Jonah are great players and I needed to show what I can do.

"I'd like to have played more games but I still feel a big part of it. I train every day with the lads and they know that I'm involved in the squad.

"The lads were buzzing about the results afterwards and they were really pleased for me."

City had already led twice through Nahki Wells, who pounced for his 13th goal of the season, and then a Kyel Reid cross that drifted into the top corner.

And they found another gear to score again late on, Kennedy converting James Meredith's cross after the left back ran the length of the field.

Kennedy said: "Yeatesy (Mark Yeates) came on and gave us a new lease of life. But we know there's that determination and spirit in the team to keep going to the end.

"I just saw Mezza on the ball and the space in between the defence and the goalkeeper. I thought if I could get in there and anything came in then there'd be a great chance to score and that's exactly what happened.

"The lads were tremendous and everyone put in a shift. It was a big relief to get another win at last.

"That sets us up for the Notts County home game tomorrow. It's a result we can gain confidence from and hopefully be the start of a little run."

Parkinson added: "Goals from midfield are so important but it's more than that. The determination to get in there so late in the game was fantastic.

"MK Dons is a really tough place to go and we'll enjoy this win. It was important and now we can look forward to the next challenge."

===========================

Thursday, November 21, 2013

L1 D3-3 (h) Coventry Sunday November 17, 2013. K.O. 3:30PM. #bcafc



Read this article online
http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/46810838356/


===========================

Signings, Loans and Injuries

Lewis Clarkson on a free transfer from non-league Scarborough Athletic

Injuries

===========================


General Links

Current table
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/league-table/
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/league-one/table
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/standings?leagueTag=ENG.3&lang=EN&wjb=

Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/fixtures-list/
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/scoreboard?leagueTag=ENG.3&lang=EN

The "Social media Corner"
http://paper.li/f-1315926867
http://www.bradfordcity.tv/

Head to Head stats
http://www.11v11.com/teams/bradford-city/tab/opposingTeams
http://www.statto.com/football/teams/bradford-city/

T&A Reports & Pictures
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sport_bantams_pics2012/

Bantams Player (subscription required)
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/commercial/Bantams-player/

BBC headlines and highlights (video may be uk only)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/bradford-city

Pulse audio (last match highlights, post match interviews)
http://www.pulse.co.uk/on-air/pulse-sport/

Match stats
http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=234#teamTabs=results

2013 suite
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYVaty8hdHg

2013 DVD trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFvZKFeCPt8&feature=share

Fairplay standings
http://espnfc.com/stats/fairplay/_/league/eng.3/english-league-one?cc=5901

===========================

Preview
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24887362

Game links
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/gamecast?gameId=381925&action=stats&lang=EN&wjb=

Goals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r3v2pMfTMQ&list=UUch_NWdo3JWKngAyO9XlycA
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151844912133645&set=o.2208709274&type=2&theater

Live Blog
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10815028.FT__Bradford_City_3_Coventry_City_3/



===========================

Final whistle - match report

Phil Parkinson praises Bantams resilience
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24985633

The Moaning Scot
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9029549/

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10815344.print/
Wells hat-trick offsets slack Bradford City defending

6:30am Monday 18th November 2013

By Simon Parker

City 3, Coventry 3

Fat chance of keeping Nahki Wells under the radar then!

The Bermudian sure-shot did more than rescue a late, late point for the Bantams at Valley Parade yesterday with his second City hat-trick.

He also reminded the watching TV audience of his deadly knack in front of goal.

An afternoon that looked like it might belong to Coventry's rising talent Callum Wilson ended with the name Wells once again on everybody's lips.

He remained the calmest man on the pitch to thump in a stoppage-time penalty and complete a memorable treble.

His masterful marksmanship doesn't put everything right. The slackness of City's defending, which allowed Coventry to make such a fast start, will lead to more sky blue thinking behind the scenes.

Fingers could be pointed at the Bantams backline for all three of the visiting goals. While Andrew Davies made a welcome return to Valley Parade in the press box, now down to one crutch after his knee injury, his team-mates continue to struggle to fill the hole he has left.

But you cannot knock the character of this City team for refusing to give it up, even if it is now seven games since the last win at Walsall. It was a very good point in the end from a pulsating match.

For two sides who dropped out the Premier League together in 2001, recent meetings have been surprisingly sporadic. City's spiral through the divisions meant it was a decade since their last encounter, when Dean Windass scored the only goal in a Christmas encounter at Valley Parade.

Phil Parkinson used his programme notes to apologise once again for the "very poor" display at Rotherham the week before. The message for his players was crystal clear.

Having considered swinging the axe, he made just one change to the starting line-up as Garry Thompson returned to the right wing in place of Raffaele De Vita. Caleb Folan and Alan Connell were back on the bench.

Parkinson had planned an immediate response – but it could not have started any worse.

There were barely 65 seconds on the clock when Jon McLaughlin and Rory McArdle both went for Carl Baker's free-kick by the penalty spot. The keeper came to collect but McArdle appeared to head the ball out of his grasp and Coventry centre half Andy Webster gleefully accepted the gift from 15 yards.

If that was not bad enough, City's afternoon quickly plummeted. McArdle was outpaced by Wilson cutting in from the Coventry left and although McLaughlin managed to block the youngster's shot, his partner-in-crime Leon Clarke was on hand to make no mistake with the rebound.

McArdle had sat on the Northern Ireland bench in Turkey on Friday night but came through a pre-match work-out to play. But he was having a game to forget and Wilson skipped past him once more to reach a Blair Adams pass and home in on goal.

McLaughlin got something on his shot and watched anxiously as the ball bounced a yard wide of his near post.

As Valley Parade looked on in dismay, City finally snapped out of it. Wells chipped an angled pass into the box, where Kyel Reid stretched to volley over the bar.

The fans, to their credit, stayed onside and would have been celebrating a City opener but for a wonderful save from Joe Murphy. James Hanson did everything right with a far-post header from Stephen Darby's cross but Murphy plunged low to superbly keep it out.

But City's momentum found its reward on 17 minutes – and this time Coventry's keeper was the villain.

Coming five yards outside his penalty area to deal with Reid's long ball, Murphy found himself in no man's land under pressure from Hanson. Jordan Clarke then swung and missed and Wells showed great composure to commit covering defender Blair Adams before scoring.

It was the Bermudian's first goal for two months since a double against Colchester.

The chances continued thick and fast and Coventry could have restored their advantage within seconds. John Fleck twice saw thumping shots charged down by a claret and amber pack as referee Kevin Friend – the same one who sent off Matt Duke in the Capital One Cup final – ignored loud shouts for a penalty.

Then Darby won a huge ovation for a diving header to clear at the far post when Coventry came knocking once more.

You could not take your eyes off the action as City responded once more and the equaliser came before we had even reached the half-hour mark.

James Meredith pumped a free-kick forwards, Hanson won the flick and Wells, who else, latched on to it with an acrobatic volley to finish.

The striker might have been marginally offside when the Australian had sent the ball upfield but City could say the same about Clarke in the build-up to Coventry's opener.

It was becoming a football feast – unless you were a defender. But that should not come as a surprise, with Coventry's games averaging more goals each week than anyone else in League One.

Gary Jones rattled the advertising board from City's first corner but there was another sting in the tail before the break.

Coventry had screamed danger every time they got forward, especially when the ball was at the elusive feet of Wilson.

And the highly-rated youngster restored the Sky Blues' advantage when he latched on to Carl Baker's long pass. Wilson held off Matthew Bates to beat McLaughlin from a tight angle with a thumping effort, though the keeper should have done much better.

McArdle tried to make amends for his earlier mistakes with two headers over before the half-time whistle brought temporary respite.

Normal service quickly resumed as Cyrus Christie roared forward from right back before slicing wide, while McLaughlin pushed away a drive from Franck Moussa.

The shoot-out continued. Wells clipped the Coventry bar with a free-kick from the edge of the D, before Wilson stole in behind the home back four once more but skied his shot.

Parkinson switched things around at the three-quarter point, replacing Thompson with Mark Yeates. But Coventry showed no sign of shutting up shop as Moussa, Adams and Clarke all went hunting a fourth.

Yeates set up Hanson for a great chance to level again but the big man was unable to keep his close-range header down. The City sub then turned his creative attentions to Wells but the shot lacked power to stretch Murphy.

It was slipping away from the Bantams as added time went into the fourth minute. But then Jordan Clarke threw a panicky hand at Darby's cross, Friend pointed to the spot after an agonising wait – and Wells did the rest with a thumping penalty.

Attendance: 14,322
===========================

When the dust settled - match report


Wells helps Bradford City see the light

12:00am Monday 18th November 2013

By Simon Parker

Phil Parkinson defended City against accusations of playing "dark-age football" after a dramatic draw with Coventry.

Nahki Wells completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot to salvage a last-gasp point against League One's great entertainers in front of the TV cameras.

Parkinson then hit back at a jibe from Coventry boss Steven Pressley criticising City's style of play.

The managers were involved in a heated dispute after the final whistle and Pressley said: "It's not easy playing against long-ball football; dark-age football. It was very difficult but that's how they play."

But Parkinson responded: "That's an amazing comment from someone who has just arrived in English football.

"We play with a balance and I felt we got that right in the first half, passing the ball well and getting it out wide and delivering crosses.

"There were times in the second half when we could have got that extra pass in the midfield when there was more space to play in. We didn't and we've said that to the boys.

"But he's obviously not watched our progress over the last 18 months.

"It was a great game and a feisty old affair on and off the pitch. The crowd must have got their money's worth.

"Tempers were running high. He (Pressley) came into our box in the first half to have a go at us and we had a few words."

Parkinson was unhappy with the slack defending that allowed Coventry to surge into an early two-goal lead.

City recovered to draw level and then responded again to a half-time deficit with the spot-kick in the last minute of stoppage-time.

The City boss said: "Individual mistakes cost us and that's disappointing. Coventry are a good side on a great run and their confidence is high, so to give them a two-goal start made it very difficult.

"After getting beaten at Rotherham with a very poor performance, to find ourselves 2-0 down so quickly on live TV is probably as big a test of character as they come.

"So I thought we played terrifically well if you take all those circumstances into account."

Wells lifted his season's goal haul to 12 with the second hat-trick of his City career. It ended a two-month wait after being sidelined with an ankle ligament injury.

Parkinson said: "Sometimes when you miss football, you can get a bit of rustiness in your game – especially when you're a player like Nahki who relies on his sharpness.

"But he's got it back. You could sense it in training this week and that performance is what Nahki Wells is all about – he was superb.

"Steven Pressley must be delighted he's inherited those two strikers (Callum Wilson and Leon Clarke). The same as me, I was fortunate to inherit two good strikers in (James) Hanson and Nahki.

"When you've got players who can score goals, it can take the pressure off the rest of your side.

"Despite going 2-0 down and the way the game was going, I felt we'd score because we caused them problems.

"The wide players were doing what we wanted, attacking down the sides and getting crosses in, and I didn't feel the Coventry back four could handle our front two at times.

"We can't be happy with the goals we conceded, certainly the first two. We gave ourselves a lot to do against a good side.

"But in terms of the way we kept going, we've got to give this group of players so much credit."

===========================

City fans film gets movie screen slots
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10813855.Bradford_City_fans_film_gets_movie_screen_slots/

Wells plus Hanson equals must-see TV
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10816720.Bradford_City__Wells_plus_Hanson_equals_must_see_TV

Parkinson and Steven Pressley bury the hatchet
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10816845.Bradford_City__Parkinson_and_Pressley_bury_the_hatchet/

Beeb boss's letter encourages hopes Bantams could be short-listed for Sports Personality Team of the Year prize
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10819810.Beeb_boss___s_letter_encourages_hopes_Bantams_could_be_short_listed_for_Sports_Personality_Team_of_the_Year_prize/

City youths book date with Millwall
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10823176.Bantams_youths_book_date_with_Millwall
===========================

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25038058
Bradford City sign Scarborough striker Lewis Clarkson

Bradford City have signed striker Lewis Clarkson on a free transfer from non-league Scarborough Athletic.

The 19-year-old, who has agreed an 18-month deal, was released by Premier League side Hull City in the summer.

Bantams assistant Steve Parkin told BBC Radio Leeds: "He is one for the future. We felt, as a long-term project, he was worth the investment.

"He can become a very dangerous player. He certainly has an eye for goal and that's why we took him."

===========================

Thursday, November 14, 2013

FAC1 L0-3 (a) Rotherham Saturday November 9, 2013. K.O. 3PM. #bcafc

Read this article online
http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/46810838356/


===========================

Signings, Loans and Injuries


Injuries

===========================


General Links

Current table
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/league-table/
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/league-one/table
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/standings?leagueTag=ENG.3&lang=EN&wjb=

Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/fixtures-list/
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/scoreboard?leagueTag=ENG.3&lang=EN

The "Social media Corner"
http://paper.li/f-1315926867
http://www.bradfordcity.tv/

Head to Head stats
http://www.11v11.com/teams/bradford-city/tab/opposingTeams
http://www.statto.com/football/teams/bradford-city/

T&A Reports & Pictures
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sport_bantams_pics2012/

Bantams Player (subscription required)
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/commercial/Bantams-player/

BBC headlines and highlights (video may be uk only)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/bradford-city

Pulse audio (last match highlights, post match interviews)
http://www.pulse.co.uk/on-air/pulse-sport/

Match stats
http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=234#teamTabs=results

2013 suite
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYVaty8hdHg

2013 DVD trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFvZKFeCPt8&feature=share

Fairplay standings
http://espnfc.com/stats/fairplay/_/league/eng.3/english-league-one?cc=5901

===========================

Preview
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24782820

Game links
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/gamecast?gameId=382392&action=stats&lang=EN&wjb=

Goals


Live Blog
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10798739.Live_blog___Rotherham_v_Bantams__FT__3_0_/



===========================

Final whistle - match report


Unacceptable! Parkinson launches verbal volley after admitting Bantams 'second best all over the park'

8:20am Monday 11th November 2013

By Ross Heppenstall

Rotherham 3 Bradford City 0

Amid the touchline histrionics from Steve Evans, violence in the stands and comprehensive City defeat came a voice of reason.

It was provided by Phil Parkinson, who spoke to the press long enough after the final whistle to have let his rage subside.

What he offered was revealing.

It was damning, too, about a group of players who reached two Wembley finals and won promotion earlier this year.

"We looked like a team with a few players who have started to believe they are better than they actually are," reflected Parkinson.

"I've got to nip that in the bud because we've had our success through honesty, hard work and a desire to do the best we can as individuals and a team.

"It might only be one game, but it hurts because there is a way to get beaten.

"When we lost to Wolves a couple of weeks ago, I thought we were outstanding and I told the lads that afterwards.

"I can live with that, but I can't live with getting beaten when we've been second best.

"And we were second-best today – all over the pitch.

"It was a kind of performance that has been few and far between from us but that wasn't good enough for us and I'm not accepting it."

As Parkinson readily conceded, Rotherham were superior in every department from start to finish and City got what they deserved – nothing.

They bullied City up front, with only Jon McLaughlin's outstanding display keeping his side in the game at the break.

It was tough to take for a manager who has built his side on a collective spirit which carried the club to such heights last season.

It is now five successive defeats to Rotherham and counting.

More worrying for Parkinson, though, is the rut his side find themselves stuck in.

The Bantams are without a win in six games and Sunday's home clash with Coventry has taken on added importance.

Changes, if not wholesale then certainly enough to make a difference, are likely for the televised visit of the Sky Blues.

Parkinson accused his players of lacking bravery and not wanting the ball.

Only off-field was there fight, where a number of City supporters were involved in ugly scenes, clashing with police and stewards in the closing stages of defeat.

The mood among the 2,138 City supporters, however, was initially convivial.

They turned out in force for the magic of the FA Cup, the oldest and most famous knockout cup competition in the world.

Parkinson played his strongest possible side, which meant the only change was on the bench, with 17-year-old Oliver McBurnie replacing Caleb Folan.

But Rotherham quickly assumed control of proceedings and forced City onto the back foot.

The Millers controlled the midfield and Matt Tubbs and Alex Revell gave Rory McArdle and Matthew Bates a torrid afternoon at a rainswept New York Stadium.

The impressive Michael O'Connor was at the heart of everything for Rotherham in the middle of the park.

After he fired an early shot wide from distance, City fell behind in the 13th minute.

O'Connor's lofted ball into City's penalty was headed down by Revell and Kieran Agard rifled home a right-foot shot from six yards.

City looked to have fashioned an immediate response when James Meredith's cross was spilled by Adam Collin and the ball ended in the net. But no goal was awarded after a foul on the Rotherham goalkeeper by James Hanson.

The Millers grew in authority as the first half wore on and McLaughlin took centre stage with some excellent goalkeeping.

In the 21st minute, Tubbs broke clear and hit a low right-foot shot which McLaughlin did well to turn round a post.

Moments later Ben Pringle crossed dangerously from the left flank and Revell's thumping header was destined for the net until McLaughlin brilliantly came to the rescue with a right-handed save.

City's only other chance in the first half came in the 33rd minute when Collin repelled Wells' low shot from Kyel Reid's left-wing delivery.

But McLaughlin then came off his line to deny Revell after Nathan Doyle's horribly misplaced backpass played him in.

At 1-0 down, the onus was on City to come out in the second half and start performing.

But Rotherham's dominance continued and they scored again in the 62nd minute when Revell fired home O'Connor's free-kick after McArdle was booked for bringing down Tubbs.

Nine minutes later, Agard headed home another cross from O'Connor from the right flank to finish City off.

Wells, still working his way back to full match sharpness, was replaced by McBurnie with eight minutes remaining.

Rotherham boss Evans opted not to shake Parkinson's hand and scurried down the tunnel before the final whistle after milking the acclaim of the home crowd.

Evans said: "In the past I've been accused of things that are fairy stories, so I went down the tunnel, waved bye-bye, did a Michael Jackson and disappeared.

"But I will shake Phil's hand before I leave the stadium, as you would expect.

"It's not about not shaking hands because I was in the dressing room for the last 30 seconds of the game.

"That was the strategy I adopted at Bradford when I went straight to the dressing room. That was the strategy we had here."

Parkinson said: "Steve waited for me in the end and he was absolutely fine.

"I said to him 'well done, your team was better than us today'."

And that was the truth.


===========================


Bantams players are told to fight for the right to wear jersey

7:50am Tuesday 12th November 2013

By Ross Heppenstall

Phil Parkinson could swing the axe for Sunday's crunch home clash with Coventry as City aim to return to winning ways.

The Bantams were well beaten at Rotherham on Saturday, crashing out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle 3-0 to extend their winless run to six games.

Parkinson said the desire from his players to earn a place in the team must intensify as City bid to halt their slide.

He said: "We've got to get back to whoever has the shirt has to keep hold of it. If you're not in the team, that player who has the shirt might be your mate but you want to get it back off him.

"I've reminded the lads that the minute you start thinking you're better than you are, someone else goes past you in this game. That might be someone from your own club or we bring someone else in from the outside."

Parkinson kept faith with the same side on Saturday that earned a goalless draw at Crewe because none of his fringe players had convinced him they merited a starting spot.

"I didn't think enough of those players had done enough to get in the team on Saturday," said Parkinson.

"I felt the team which played at Crewe deserved to start again.

"Sometimes as a manager when you've lost you can start feeling sorry for the lads who didn't make the coach journey or the bench but I didn't on Saturday because I didn't think they had done enough to get in the team."



===========================

We Made History' DVD launch details: http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/news/article/dvd-launch-1168337.aspx?pd=635197684790000000

===========================

Thursday, November 07, 2013

L1 D0-0 (a) Crewe Saturday November 2, 2013. K.O. 3:00PM. #bcafc

Read this article online
http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/46810838356/


===========================

Signings, Loans and Injuries

Future loans
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10776977.Bradford_City_strikers_Connell_and_Gray_free_to_pursue_loan_deals/

Loans
Northampton Town sign Bradford midfielder Ricky Ravenhill
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24834606


Injuries

===========================


General Links

Current table
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/league-table/
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/league-one/table
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/standings?leagueTag=ENG.3&lang=EN&wjb=

Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/fixtures-list/
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/scoreboard?leagueTag=ENG.3&lang=EN

The "Social media Corner"
http://paper.li/f-1315926867
http://www.bradfordcity.tv/

Head to Head stats
http://www.11v11.com/teams/bradford-city/tab/opposingTeams
http://www.statto.com/football/teams/bradford-city/

T&A Reports & Pictures
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sport_bantams_pics2012/

Bantams Player (subscription required)
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/commercial/Bantams-player/

BBC headlines and highlights (video may be uk only)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/bradford-city

Pulse audio (last match highlights, post match interviews)
http://www.pulse.co.uk/on-air/pulse-sport/

Match stats
http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=234#teamTabs=results

2013 suite
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYVaty8hdHg

2013 DVD trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFvZKFeCPt8&feature=share

Fairplay standings
http://espnfc.com/stats/fairplay/_/league/eng.3/english-league-one?cc=5901

===========================

Preview
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24681098
http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Crewe-Alex-Meet-opposition-ndash-Bradford-City/story-20024213-detail/story.html

Game links
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/gamecast?gameId=368230&action=stats&lang=EN&wjb=

Goals
http://youtu.be/YWG5SV0bccM

Live Blog
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10781455.Live_blog__Crewe_v_Bantams__0_0_Full_Time_/



===========================

Final whistle - match report


Parkinson pleased by Bradford City character in drab match

6:40am Monday 4th November 2013

By Ross Heppenstall

Crewe Alexandra 0, Bradford City 0

At the end of an utterly forgettable 90 minutes, a quick glance at the table showed City still in the League One play-off places.

Without a win in five games and hanging on to sixth place by their fingertips, but in that final spot all the same.

Phil Parkinson was pleased with the point.

It could yet prove pivotal in the final reckoning next May.

The Bantams boss pointed to the character his men showed against a struggling Crewe side who looked more likely to snatch victory in the closing stages.

He took heart from a defensive display in which Rory McArdle excelled and Jon McLaughlin was similarly assured between the posts.

It was the first time in five matches that City had not conceded a goal.

You could not fault the collective spirit of Parkinson's players at a windswept Gresty Road and on a pitch not conducive to free-flowing football.

Parkinson repeated an age-old mantra during his post-match interviews.

"If you can't win, then make sure you don't get beat," he said.

"It was important we got that clean sheet mentality back in the team.

"Despite playing really well over the last few weeks, we conceded two against Wolves and two against Preston.

"We had to get a clean sheet to get us back going again and I thought defensively we looked strong.

"English football is about adapting to the different conditions through the winter months and I thought we did that.

"The wind, rain and the pitch made it a real slog but I thought we competed well.

"We ran ourselves into the ground. The back four were strong and everyone worked hard.

"Sometimes you've just got to take a point. You always come for all three but we'll take the point on the day.

"We had some good chances but probably just lacked that moment of composure and quality around the box to win us the game."

City went closest through James Hanson twice in the second half. He scuffed a shot wide and then forced a fine save from Crewe goalkeeper Alan Martin with a far-post header.

It was not meant to be.

Still, it was pleasing to see Nahki Wells back in the starting line-up following his return to action as a substitute against Wolves.

The Bermudian striker is approaching full fitness after a month on the sidelines and he showed plenty of touches of class without seeing many clear sights of goal.

In truth, genuine goal-scoring opportunities were scarce throughout for both teams.

Struggling Crewe, who lie fourth bottom in the table, looked to be there for the taking.

But City, delayed by a motorway hold-up which saw them arrive at Gresty Road just after 2pm, never really suggested they were capable of doing that.

The inclusion of Wells was the only change from the side which had lost at home to Wolves seven days earlier.

The hosts fashioned the first opening inside the second minute when the impressive Byron Moore, an impressive outlet on Crewe's right flank, found Kelvin Mellor.

He delivered a low cross into the box which Max Clayton could only blaze over the crossbar when well placed.

That set the tone for much of the afternoon.

City, backed by a huge following of 1,347 fans who filled one side of the ground, gradually steadied themselves.

Raffaele De Vita was booked for a challenge on Jon Guthrie in the 12th minute and three minutes later he headed straight at Martin following a short corner.

Hanson then wasted a decent chance when the ball fell to him 16 yards out after Crewe failed to clear their lines.

He could only blast the ball over the crossbar – and three minutes later McLaughlin produced a fine save to repel George Evans' fierce low drive from 20 yards.

Matthew Bates then headed over from Gary Jones' free-kick before some neat footwork from Stephen Darby found Wells in space on the edge of Crewe's 18-yard box.

City's leading scorer hit a thunderous drive which flew over Martin's crossbar, before dragging a low, left-foot shot wide after being played clear by Nathan Doyle two minutes later.

As the interval approached, Hanson stretched to meet a right-wing cross from the impressive Darby but could not divert it on target.

Moments later, Wells fired wide from Hanson's clever flick-on.

Crewe looked dangerous when coming forward but City's goal was rarely in any serious danger during the opening 45 minutes.

McArdle led by example as the Railwaymen were kept at bay.

The onus was on City to up the tempo after the break and be more ruthless in front of goal – and in the 51st minute, Hanson should have scored.

Doyle's initial shot was deflected into his path 12 yards from goal and looked to have sat up perfectly for him to fire home.

Instead his scuffed, right-footed effort trickled harmlessly wide of Martin's left-hand post.

Four minutes later, Darby delivered a superb cross from the right to the far post, where Mellor was forced to head the ball clear for a corner with Hanson breathing down his neck.

In the 64th minute, Hanson drew an outstanding save from Martin when he connected with Meredith's left-wing cross and planted a firm header goalwards.

Martin got down low to tip the ball around the post at the expense of a corner, which City could not make pay.

Hanson said: "The keeper made a great save from my header and I don't know how he's got there.

"There were another couple of half-chances for me and Nahki and another day we win the game. But we'll take a lot of heart from that because we're still in the top six.

"I thought the defensive performance was great. We kept a solid shape to the team and were hard to break down. It was just a little bit disappointing we couldn't nick it."

Garry Thompson replaced De Vita with 20 minutes remaining, before Mark Yeates and Caleb Folan entered the fray as City sought to make the breakthrough.

But it was Crewe who looked the more likely victors in the closing stages which saw substitute Bradden Inman curl a delightful low shot wide from 20 yards.

Inman then beat Darby down the left flank and whipped in a brilliant low cross which Meredith cleared for a corner.

Evans fired just over the crossbar in the closing stages of added time as the stalemate continued, leaving City in the final play-off spot heading into Saturday's FA Cup tie at Rotherham.

===========================

Police investigate after Bradford City fans subjected to fire tragedy abuse
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10781885.Police_investigate_after_Bradford_City_fans_subjected_to_fire_tragedy_abuse/

Decision date set in Stewart cash wrangle
http://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/sport/falkirk-fc/decision-date-set-in-stewart-cash-wrangle-1-3167376

City DVD enough to make a grown man cry
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10776616.Bradford_City_DVD_enough_to_make_a_grown_man_cry/




===========================

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

L1 L1-2 (h) Wolves Saturday October 3, 2013. K.O. 3:00PM. #bcafc

Read this article online
http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/46810838356/


===========================

Signings, Loans and Injuries


Injuries
Davies
===========================


General Links

Current table
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/league-table/
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/league-one/table
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/standings?leagueTag=ENG.3&lang=EN&wjb=

Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/fixtures-list/
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/scoreboard?leagueTag=ENG.3&lang=EN

The "Social media Corner"
http://paper.li/f-1315926867
http://www.bradfordcity.tv/

Head to Head stats
http://www.11v11.com/teams/bradford-city/tab/opposingTeams
http://www.statto.com/football/teams/bradford-city/

T&A Reports & Pictures
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sport_bantams_pics2012/

Bantams Player (subscription required)
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/commercial/Bantams-player/

BBC headlines and highlights (video may be uk only)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/bradford-city

Pulse audio (last match highlights, post match interviews)
http://www.pulse.co.uk/on-air/pulse-sport/

Match stats
http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=234#teamTabs=results

2013 suite
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYVaty8hdHg

2013 DVD trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFvZKFeCPt8&feature=share

Fairplay standings
http://espnfc.com/stats/fairplay/_/league/eng.3/english-league-one?cc=5901

===========================

Preview
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24590612

Game links
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/gamecast?gameId=368215&action=stats&lang=EN&wjb=

Goals
http://youtu.be/Q_9jm-p-VGc

Live Blog
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10766026.Live_blog__Bantams_v_Wolves/?ref=eb



===========================

When the dust settled - match report

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10766402.Bradford_City_far_from_disgraced_in_defeat_to_big_spending_Wolves/


Bradford City far from disgraced in defeat to big-spending Wolves

6:20am Monday 28th October 2013

By Simon Parker

City 1, Wolves 2

Wolves will always hold a special place in the history of Bradford City.

It was at Molineux on a never-to-be-forgotten Sunday afternoon 14 years ago that Paul Jewell's side clinched promotion to the Premier League.

Those warriors were the last upwardly-mobile Bantams – until the present bunch under Phil Parkinson. So it was appropriate that Wolves should be the benchmark of the season so far to judge that progress.

There were three divisions between the sides two years ago, as Parkinson pointed out pre-match. But to say the playing field is now level ignores the huge financial chasm that separates Wolves from the rest of League One courtesy of their £16million parachute payment.

Parkinson had made a big play that City were taking on the team, not the budget, but the names on the opposition team sheet – the likes of Kevin Doyle, Bakary Sako and Leigh Griffiths – were not the standard combatants for this level.

Throw in Jamie O'Hara, brought in from the cold to fill a space on the bench, and the opposing wage bill will have been eye-watering. The least you can expect as a Wolves punter is to win every week.

Only Walsall have beaten them so far – and nobody has managed to do it away from Molineux. Now add the Bantams to that list as Kenny Jackett's merry travellers notched up a fifth road win on the bounce.

But once the disappointment of defeat subsides, Valley Parade's largest crowd so far – beating the Sheffield United figure by three – should take consolation from the tightness of the contest.

There was nothing to choose between two teams who, certainly according to Jackett, will still be up there at the business end of matters. If Preston proved that City could live with the bigger boys, Saturday confirmed it.

Parkinson said: "Wolves had millions of pounds-worth of talent out there. They had a £6million striker coming off the bench and you've also got a £4million wide player against you.

"I thought we did everything we could. For 75 per cent of the game, we were excellent."

Unfortunately that other quarter included another goal that will make them wince in the customary post-match DVD inquest.

The two that City conceded at Deepdale were preventable; the one that got Wolves back in this game was laughable.

Jon McLaughlin has been an unsung hero while others have stolen the headlines during the bright start to life at the next level.

Never the flashy type of keeper, he has got the job done in an unfussy manner interspersed with the odd blinding save. So the gaffe which gifted James Henry the equaliser came totally out the blue.

City were one up and good value for their lead as Valley Parade bounced gleefully.

Raffaele De Vita, retained on the right in an unchanged side, had rewarded a breezy opening with an emphatic first goal for the club after Danny Batth had kicked his first shot off the line.

The Italian's taunting celebration in front of the Wolves end had spiced up matters but City were entitled to milk the moment.

Then it all went wrong as Gary Jones and James Meredith converged on the same ball just outside their own area, the skipper only succeeding in poking it through the left back's legs.

It was picked up by Henry but City's fears seemed to have eased as he could only get off a weak shot straight towards the keeper – who dived over the ball.

Home composure suddenly drained away and within four minutes Wolves had their noses in front. Henry's corner was nodded back to him by James Hanson and nobody closed down the winger as he sized up a second cross for Richard Stearman to finish.

For a short spell, only Wolves voices could be heard. The Kop, like the team, seemed momentarily stunned by the sudden change of events.

Credit also the tactical switch made by Jackett, who had quickly realised his error of playing the extra man in midfield and leaving Griffiths to forage up front alone.

After going behind, he sacrificed Lee Evans after just 25 minutes for Doyle – that £6.5million man on the bench – to give City's rearguard more to worry about.

Now they had two internationals to contend with, as the one from the Republic of Ireland joined his Scottish counterpart, and Wolves added more punch to their play.

At least tricky French winger Bakary Sako – their answer to Kyel Reid – was kept on the fringes of the action by the excellent Stephen Darby.

City regrouped at the break and Parkinson made his change that the crowd had been waiting for. Nahki Wells was thrown into the fray for De Vita, whose sore hamstring was causing concern.

There were no mind games about the Bermudian's return from a month's lay-off. It was only the day before that Parkinson made the call after deciding that his star striker was training with confidence on his troublesome left ankle.

His first run was greeted with euphoria in the Kop; an early shot from a tight angle beaten away by Carl Ikeme drew even louder cheers. Wells the talisman was back in business.

Unfortunately for Parkinson, so was the goalkeeper he once had on loan with Charlton. The City boss felt that Ikeme's progress was being held back by his nomadic existence – the Valley was one of eight temporary stops in his career.

Parkinson reckoned that if Ikeme could nail down some roots somewhere, he would blossom. Proof that he has done that in the West Midlands was evident in a second half when the Wolves stopper blocked everything.

The pick of the bunch was a double save from Wells, showing great reaction speed to readjust his body and prevent the striker from taking his season's tally into double figures.

Ikeme was also at the centre of the afternoon's most contentious decision when he slid into Reid after the winger's give-and-go with Wells had sent him clear in the penalty area.

Referee Graham Salisbury was straight over with a yellow card – which he brandished at Reid for simulation.

Valley Parade was in uproar, while Parkinson looked fit to burst. City's search for a first spot-kick of the season goes on.

The manager has already voiced his fears that officials are going out of their way not to give his team a penalty. Afterwards, he was even more adamant.

There were divided opinions among the fans as some felt that Reid had made a meal of it. Yet Parkinson was in no doubt.

But the noisy audience had no reservations about City's efforts against a team guaranteed to fill one of the promotion slots. They had given as good as they got.

Attendance: 18,044
===========================

Wolves @OfficialWolves
Credit to the Bradford fans who don't half get behind their team for 90 mins. All stay behind to clap their team off as

well.


===========================

FA CUP 1st round draw
Nov 9th/10th
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24693606
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10766416.It_s_Rotherham_away_for_Bradford_City/
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10766438.Bradford_City_boss_Parkinson_ready_for____tough____FA_Cup_ti

e_at_Rotherham/


===========================

#bcafc We are proud that three groups of fans' hard work and talent is being recognised at the Football Blogging Awards - Width of The Post has been short listed for the Best Football Club Blog Award - http://www.footballbloggingawards.co.uk/Best-Football-Club-Blog-shortlist.php and Bantams Banter have been short listed for the Best Football Podcast Award - http://www.footballbloggingawards.co.uk/Best-Football-podcast-Blog-shortlist.php and last but not least Sat In The Crowd have been short listed for Best New Football Blog - http://www.footballbloggingawards.co.uk/Best-New-Football-Blog-shortlist.php please click on the links and vote for them.

===========================

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10768521.Setbacks_have_not_dampened_our_spirits__says_Bantams_boss/


Setbacks have not dampened our spirits, says Bantams boss

8:00am Tuesday 29th October 2013

By Simon Parker

Phil Parkinson is adamant City's morale has not been dented by their recent stutter in results.

Saturday's loss to Wolves meant they have picked up only one point from the last 12.

But Parkinson was heartened by the display, which followed on the heels of a gutsy effort at Preston.

And with the Bantams still occupying a play-off berth, he insists the high spirits within the camp have not been affected.

Parkinson said: "The players know they've gone toe-to-toe with two Championship-standard teams in the space of days and done themselves enormous credit. Confidence levels are high, without a shadow of a doubt.

"We are growing as a team with each game, despite the results not going as well of late. The great thing from our point of view is that we are still in the top six.

"That's testament to the way we have done and physically we have shown in the last week that we can get through three games in eight days and stand up with teams at this level.

"I felt Preston was as good as we've played and we probably couldn't have done much better in the second half against Wolves.

"Tuesday took a lot out of us and much as we are really disappointed to lose on Saturday, the way we kept going when we had to chase the game after going 2-1 down really pleased me.

"Now it's about trying to turn those performances into good results. I'm a bit frustrated we got nothing against Wolves but keep playing like that and that level of performance will turn into three points.

"It's a very, very competitive league this year and overall we've got to be pleased."

The return of Nahki Wells as a second-half sub in the Wolves game came as a timely lift. With a full week's training ahead, he is pushing for a start at Crewe.

Parkinson added: "We're just pleased to have Nahki back and his ankle is absolutely fine. We had to make sure we gave him enough time to get it right.

"We weren't really tempted to bring him back any earlier. It was only last Monday that he trained properly with the team and he still had a limp.

"But he got better as the week went on and on the Friday we felt he was running a little freer. So we decided to put him on the bench.

"I thought he looked sharp when he came on – and will get sharper still with another week's training under his belt. That's what he needs.

"He is a good player for us and will be a welcome addition again."

===========================


Friday, October 25, 2013

L1 D2-2 (a) Preston North End Tuesday October 22, 2013. K.O. 7:45PM. #bcafc

Read this article online
http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/46810838356/


===========================

Signings, Loans and Injuries


Injuries
Davies
Wells...fitness assessment/test Friday
===========================


General Links

Current table
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/league-table/
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/league-one/table
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/standings?leagueTag=ENG.3&lang=EN&wjb=

Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/fixtures-list/
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/scoreboard?leagueTag=ENG.3&lang=EN

The "Social media Corner"
http://paper.li/f-1315926867
http://www.bradfordcity.tv/

Head to Head stats
http://www.11v11.com/teams/bradford-city/tab/opposingTeams
http://www.statto.com/football/teams/bradford-city/

T&A Reports & Pictures
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sport_bantams_pics2012/

Bantams Player (subscription required)
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/commercial/Bantams-player/

BBC headlines and highlights (video may be uk only)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/bradford-city

Pulse audio (last match highlights, post match interviews)
http://www.pulse.co.uk/on-air/pulse-sport/

Match stats
http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=234#teamTabs=results

2013 suite
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYVaty8hdHg

2013 DVD trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFvZKFeCPt8&feature=share

===========================

Preview
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24529453

Game links
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/gamecast?gameId=368210&action=stats&lang=EN&wjb=

Goals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrJ6iI1v7Fs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_lTwMyYdIQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-DrxzKywHE
http://www1.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/8987912/preston-2-2-bradford  (uk only)

Live Blog
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/10590939.Live_blog__



===========================

Final whistle - match report

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10755822.Head_master_McArdle_points_the_way_for_Bantams/


Head master McArdle points the way for Bantams

8:00am Wednesday 23rd October 2013

By Simon Parker

Preston North End 2 Bradford City 2

It's nights like this that remind you how much City needed to get out of League Two.

What a great game in front of a great atmosphere thanks to the hordes of travelling fans.

Deepdale, as Phil Parkinson had said pre-match, is a traditional football venue and even better under the lights. And his

team responded to the occasion with a gutsy, full-blooded effort to put paid to that little losing blip.

Rory McArdle nodded home the last of four headed goals to seal an away point, with City having taken a fifth-minute lead

through James Hanson's sixth strike of the season.

It was a fitting performance to mark Parkinson's 100th league game at the City helm and at the ground where his parents Jim and Marjorie used to bring him as a youngster when they were Preston season-ticket holders.

City had not been back to Preston in nine years since Bryan Robson's side were beaten during the final throes of their

Championship relegation. This was nothing like that meek surrender.

The supporters had travelled in mighty numbers, with 2,910 crossing the border into Lancashire – causing some to miss the kick-off because of the traffic congestion getting in.

Raffaele De Vita finally got his first league start for the visitors. The Italian had appeared ten times from the bench previously, seeing only two-and-a-half hours of action.

Parkinson was unhappy that his attack-minded players had not tracked back on Saturday and Mark Yeates was the one to pay

the price. Garry Thompson was pushed up top alongside Hanson with De Vita slipping into right midfield.

And the winger made an instant impression with the assist as City grabbed an early lead.

They threatened seconds before when Preston failed to deal with Jon McLaughlin's booming clearance and it dropped at Hanson's feet. But one-time City loanee Tom Clarke slid across to block his well-struck shot.

It did not matter as City came again straight away. De Vita hung a deep cross towards the far post and Hanson nodded downwards and past Declan Rudd in the Preston goal.

Stuart Beavon looked for a response with a shot on the spin that just cleared the angle of the woodwork but it could not quieten the partying away hordes.

Preston used every opportunity to feed Chris Humphrey, the speedy right winger that Stuart McCall used to rave about at

Motherwell. He was finding too much space for City's liking and cut inside for a shot that thankfully skewed well wide.

City's own flying flanker Kyel Reid switched to the right side to hit back – and was a whisker away from a second goal. His drive was on target but should have been gobbled up by Rudd. Instead, the keeper only half-saved and allowed the ball to squirm under his body and bobble against the post.

Little had been seen of Kevin Davies, the former Premier League battering ram who once went to Blackburn for £7.5million.

When he did eventually hold off McArdle to win a header, it was straight at McLaughlin.

The immaculate playing surface was great for the wingers and Reid was chopped down twice within a five-minute spell, earning yellow cards for Preston skipper John Welsh and Bailey Wright.

But Wright made amends in the 32nd minute with a lofted free-kick to the far post where Clarke ran in to flick a header past McLaughlin.

It was a sloppy goal to concede because the ball had travelled a long way without any kind of City challenge on the end of

it. Their defensive work up to that point had been impressive – making it all the more frustrating to be undone like that.

The equaliser brought the previously-muted home support to life but the visitors could have silenced them again by regaining the lead as half-time approached.

After forcing back-to-back corners, Reid held off three white shirts in his face to pick out Hanson in the middle. His firm header looked goal-bound but Paul Huntington made a crucial block right in front of his keeper.

Reid had become the pantomime villain with the Preston fans, who felt he was making the most of the challenges. The jeers became ironic cheers when he shanked a cross into the crowd.

But Preston were clearly fearful every time Reid got possession – which was often.

You sensed it was a match made for Nahki Wells. In his absence, Thompson had a quiet first half but looked to make his mark early in the second, reacting to Hanson's flick with a positive run and shot straight at Rudd.

A delightful backheel from Reid then released James Meredith to set up a better chance and his cutback was drilled across goal by De Vita.

As the game opened up, Humphrey picked out Davies under the close attentions of McArdle. The striker's touch flicked off the City centre half and flew past the near post.

Preston were building a head of steam and it needed a stunning save from McLaughlin to keep things level.

Beavon whipped a dangerous ball along the six-yard box which just evaded Davies. But it ran through to Humphrey, who must have thought he had put North End 2-1 up with a thumping shot back from the angle. But McLaughlin managed to twist and get a hand to it and turn the ball over the bar. It was a superb block.

Reid was off again as Stephen Darby sent him away and Preston's chief tormentor cut in on to his favourite left foot before unleashing just beyond the far post.

Then City's marking went AWOL once again as Preston broke the stalemate. Nobody picked up Bailey Wright from Scott Laird's corner and the defender's free header beat Jones on the line to go in off the post.

Now City had it all to do – they didn't need long. Winning a corner four minutes later, Jones put it into the mix where

McArdle got the goal he thought he'd had in the dying seconds at Crawley.

The game was up for grabs as Parkinson threw on Jason Kennedy and Caleb Folan.

Hanson thought he had another when he converted a Jones free-kick but he'd jumped early and the assistant's flag curtailed the celebrations behind the goal.

Jones, who had an outstanding second half, saw a late effort turned away by Rudd before City held off a stoppage-time flurry to get back on track.


===========================

When the dust settled - match report

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10755830.Bradford_City___Immensely_proud__Parkinson_says_he_couldn_t_

have_asked_for_more_against_Preston/


Bradford City: 'Immensely proud' Parkinson says he couldn't have asked for more against Preston

7:40am Wednesday 23rd October 2013

By Simon Parker

Phil Parkinson applauded City's battling point at play-off rivals Preston and announced: That's the real us.

Roared on by nearly 3,000 away fans, headers from James Hanson and Rory McArdle earned the Bantams a 2-2 draw in a Deepdale thriller.

It was a resounding response after losing the last two and Parkinson declared: "We always speak about putting in a performance and I've got to be immensely proud about what I saw.

"It was a great game of football; a performance which shows what we are all about. We were tight defensively, people did their job for the team and we played some great football.

"I said to the players before the game that we've lost a couple but we've come here to a great stadium in front of 3,000

away fans. We could have been turning out at Accrington Stanley.

"But this is what we've achieved so when that whistle blows, let's show what we're all about. I couldn't have asked for more."

Parkinson lavished special praise on winger Kyel Reid, who produced an outstanding display and hit a post.

"He was unplayable at times. If he'd scored a goal his performance would probably have been a ten out of ten."

City had other chances to win it and Hanson had a late header from a Gary Jones free-kick chalked off for offside.

Parkinson felt the assistant's call was "marginal".

He added: "I was very surprised when it wasn't given but it was a great delivery from Gaz.

"The great thing was that we looked threatening from set-pieces again. We weren't on Saturday (at Crawley) but we've got that consistency back."

Parkinson had criticised his side for being too open in the Crawley defeat and was delighted to see the discipline back in their approach.

"Your attacking play stems from the defensive shape and discipline. At Crawley we were too loose but last night we were

tight and compact, got the ball back and were able to do what we do best and that's go forward and attack."

Parkinson was not so happy with the two Preston goals from set-pieces, particularly the second when centre half Bailey

Wright was left free at a corner after a marking mix-up. The City chief said: "We were a bit unlucky with their first because it hit Stephen Darby and went in.

"But the second was a breakdown in communication. It's frustrating because a little detail has cost us.

"But we've got to be calm about it because we've defended well of late and did so in the game in general. We deserved to come back and the way Roz (McArdle) attacked the ball in the box was outstanding.

"He's been with us 16 months now and when we talk about the characters in the team, he typifies that."

===========================

Preston fans admiration for City & the fans

"Might just be me but I'd swap Davies for that James Hanson in a heartbeat. Don't think our lads beat him to a header all night." On a Preston forum about James Hanson!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=667137823308440&set=gm.10151946737714275&type=1&theater

===========================


Tuesday, October 22, 2013

L1 L0-1 (a) Crawley Saturday October 19, 2013. K.O. 3:00PM. #bcafc

Read this article online
http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/46810838356/


===========================

Signings, Loans and Injuries


Injuries
Wells, Davies....
===========================


General Links

Current table
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/league-table/
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/league-one/table
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/standings?leagueTag=ENG.3&lang=EN&wjb=

Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/fixtures-list/
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/scoreboard?leagueTag=ENG.3&lang=EN

The "Social media Corner"
http://paper.li/f-1315926867
http://www.bradfordcity.tv/

Head to Head stats
http://www.11v11.com/teams/bradford-city/tab/opposingTeams
http://www.statto.com/football/teams/bradford-city/

T&A Reports & Pictures
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sport_bantams_pics2012/

Bantams Player (subscription required)
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/commercial/Bantams-player/

BBC headlines and highlights (video may be uk only)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/bradford-city

Pulse audio (last match highlights, post match interviews)
http://www.pulse.co.uk/on-air/pulse-sport/

Match stats
http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=234#teamTabs=results

2013 suite
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYVaty8hdHg

2013 DVD trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFvZKFeCPt8&feature=share

===========================

Preview
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24502977

Game links
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/gamecast?gameId=368192&action=stats&lang=EN&wjb=

Goals
http://youtu.be/dWps54s_euY

Live Blog
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10750608.Live_blog__Crawley_v_Bantams/



===========================

Final whistle - match report

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10751079.What_a_waste__Thompson_is_guilty_party_as_Bantams_miss_out_on_away_treble/


What a waste! Thompson is guilty party as Bantams miss out on away treble

8:30am Monday 21st October 2013

By Simon Parker

Crawley Town 1 Bradford City 0

The good news was the sight of Nahki Wells working his way freely across the Crawley pitch.

Unfortunately, only the early arrivals will have spotted City's top scorer in action.

The Bermudian came along for the ride and the chance to get some more rehabilitation under his belt as the left ankle continues to improve.

His contribution on Saturday was purely on his own fitness, going through his paces with Nick Allamby an hour before the game.

How City are missing him. There's no point in denying it any longer.

That was underlined with the two first-half chances that fell at the feet of Garry Thompson during this richly-entertaining encounter.

Both were begging to be buried, particularly the first from just six yards out. Both were squandered.

It was difficult to imagine Wells being as wasteful in the same scenario.

Those are the reasons why strikers earn the big bucks. The key moments when games are won – and lost.

The frustrated Phil Parkinson sensed it at the time. As the opportunities went begging, he knew that City's hopes of a third successive win on the road were disappearing at the same rate.

Instead, he was left to contemplate back-to-back 1-0 defeats. Two successive setbacks since the equally talismanic Andrew Davies joined Wells in the Valley Parade sick bay.

Davies will be missing until the new year; Wells should be a matter of days from returning, although tomorrow's visit to Preston is likely to come too soon.

Having ridden the wave of their promotion momentum, this is the first reality check for the Bantams. It is the first time they have lost successive league matches since January – and those defeats to Barnet and Oxford were split by beating Aston Villa.

City are still in a very healthy position with 21 points from 12 games. Ironically that was the same tally at the same stage the last time they were in the third tier – and we know how that ended up.

But those were very different circumstances. This is a side who have found their level and shown they can be a force.

That hasn't changed on the back of two bad results. But City have been reminded they cannot take their eye off the ball.

Parkinson thought his team were too open. It made for a great spectacle – "it had the feel of a 4-3" in the words of the manager – but it was not what you expect from his sides on their travels.

It would be no surprise to see a more conservative approach at Deepdale for the second leg of this most demanding week of their campaign so far.

Parkinson did not name names but Nathan Doyle and Gary Jones were left to work overtime in the City engine room. Behind them, Rory McArdle and Matthew Bates were questioning the "massive" size of the pitch as Crawley made the most of the extra space.

Bates had not played since April and delivered a very promising debut. He also saved one certain goal with a critical touch to deflect away a Nicky Adams blast – even if he may not have known too much about it.

Along with McArdle, fresh from holding off Israel in Tel Aviv, the latest centre-back pairing worked well together. There were no obvious moments when you thought "if only Davies was out there."

But it was a different story at the other end, where the continued absence of Wells is starting to bite.

None more so than in the 14th minute. Mark Yeates, who started brightly before fading, slipped a pass into the box which struck Kyle McFadzean on the hand.

Whether that touch put off Thompson in any way, he should still have hit the target when the ball fell invitingly in his path so close to goal. Instead he drilled it over the bar.

He could have made amends later in the half after showing good anticipation to gamble on James Meredith's header back into the box from a half-cleared corner.

But having got into a great position, Thompson put too much on his attempted lob over keeper Paul Jones and it landed on the roof of the net.

Crawley had been equally wasteful up to that point but City had let them off the hook big time.

They inevitably paid the price soon after the restart as Andy Drury's pass picked a hole in the back four and Emile Sinclair, a one-time apprentice at Valley Parade, fired underneath Jon McLaughlin.

It was his first goal at home since arriving for £100,000 from Peterborough in January.

For once, the silent majority in a crowd swelled by a remarkable turn-out of 750 away fans made their voices heard. Crawley started to stroke the ball around more and threatened a second.

Michael Jones should have capitalised on a miscommunication between McLaughlin and Bates. Kyel Reid responded with a rasping drive that was superbly tipped over.

Back came Crawley and Sinclair was denied a second as McLaughlin turned away his cross-shot.

"It was a case of you attack, then we attack", admitted an exasperated Parkinson.

The City boss made positive changes, throwing on extra frontmen in Caleb Folan and Alan Connell while sacrificing Bates at the back. It nearly worked as the visitors twice went agonisingly close in the four added minutes.

Skipper Jones saw his shot smothered by a sliding block then McArdle was denied a repeat of his Bristol City header as keeper Jones somehow got something in the way on the line.

As Crawley stretched their unbeaten run to seven, home boss Richie Barker said: "I was anxious only in the first ten minutes and the last ten."

That verdict was a bit harsh on City but they knew this defeat was of their own making.

Parkinson admitted: "When you have periods of pressure, you've got to capitalise on them. Those chances have got to go in.

"Sometimes you get two chances away from home and you've got to make the most of them. We've had four or five and should have got something."

The man sat in the stand would have been the best bet for that. Get Wells soon, Nahki.


===========================

Parkinson hits 100 not out
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10748729.Parkinson_hits_100_not_out_and_is_poised_to_eclipse_Todd_s_124_game_reign/

Lottery UK style
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/10753325.Winner_comes_forward_to_claim_Bradford_s___10_million_Lottery_jackpot/

Monday 21st
#bcafc FT: Scunthorpe (Youth) 0 CITY (Youth) 2 - City's future stars are through to the second round of the FA Youth Cup with goals from Callum Chippendale and Joe Brennan

===========================


Bradford City boss Parkinson will not rush Wells' comeback

7:50am Monday 21st October 2013

By Simon Parker

Nahki Wells won't be rushed back into action despite City firing a second successive blank in his absence.

The Bantams were cursing missed chances as they went down 1-0 at Crawley on Saturday.

Wells travelled south with the squad but was not involved – and it seems unlikely he will be pitched in against Preston tomorrow.

City want to ensure their star striker is fully fit and and will not take any chances.

Boss Phil Parkinson said: "Nahki is looking better and running a bit more freely. But he hasn't trained.

"We took him with us (to Crawley) to get two days work with him. He was never going to be available. We've got to make sure that when he's back, he's ready. It's a long season and we're fifth in the table – it's a good position.

"We've had a bit of disruption with injuries but we've got to come through the other side."

City blew some great openings to score at the Broadfield Stadium, with Garry Thompson the chief culprit. Parkinson also felt they gave Crawley far too much space in possession.

"We're picking a very attacking team. There won't be many teams that go (away) with two out-and-out wide players.

"But when you do that, you're relying on attack-minded players to do the job without the ball. I didn't feel we were quite at it with that side of the game.

"We were six or seven yards out of position when we lost the ball and the pitch became very big because of that.

"Crawley have got good movement in their team but let's track back to last season in the cup. We played teams with better movement than that and showed great discipline. We've got to rectify that and we will. Preston away is a great opportunity."

Youngsters Oliver McBurnie and Jack Stockdill travelled with the squad ahead of tonight's FA Youth Cup first-round tie at Scunthorpe.

Midfielder Stockdill is suspended for the Glanford Park trip but McBurnie will be looking to add to his sensational tally of 15 goals in eight games this season.

Parkinson said: "It's good to get them part of the first-team set-up. I'm pleased with the group of young players we've got this year – they are driving each other on.

"I remember seeing it before at Reading where the group had the same work ethic. The age group with the likes of Nicky Shorey and Nathan Tyson had a great attitude and a lot of them became (first-team) players.

"I feel this group is the best we've had since I've been here and that's obviously reflected in the scorelines.

"Their attitude has been superb and that's great for the future of the club because we need some good young players to supplement the squad."

===========================