| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) 11:00 - Aug 8 with 16492 views | RochdaleAFC.com |
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| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 18:01 - Aug 8 with 4779 views | somdale |
I personaly thought we were completely outclassed.
Passing when it mattered was dreadful.
Rodney was poor.
The Ebanks error was pivotal though. And we didnt recover from it.
I get Bradford are a good side and its early season, but the lack of quality and the inability to do the basics was dissapointing.
Im confident we will improve, but this was a real eye opener | | | |
| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 18:16 - Aug 8 with 4652 views | Trev |
| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 18:01 - Aug 8 by somdale |
I personaly thought we were completely outclassed.
Passing when it mattered was dreadful.
Rodney was poor.
The Ebanks error was pivotal though. And we didnt recover from it.
I get Bradford are a good side and its early season, but the lack of quality and the inability to do the basics was dissapointing.
Im confident we will improve, but this was a real eye opener |
Yep, I'm sure we'll improve but these two performances have been a bit of a mess, in all honesty. | | | |
| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 18:23 - Aug 8 with 4610 views | leedsdale |
According to Watson’s post match interview, Hayes injured his knee on Friday in training and is going for a scan on Monday. |  | | |
| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 18:39 - Aug 8 with 4503 views | EllDale |
God, it seems never ending. | | | |
| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 19:00 - Aug 8 with 4389 views | 442Dale |
| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 18:39 - Aug 8 by EllDale |
God, it seems never ending. |
Got to hope it isn’t as bad as it sounds.
Watson has had some awful luck so far. |  |
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| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 19:53 - Aug 8 with 4200 views | Daley_Lama |
| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 19:00 - Aug 8 by 442Dale |
Got to hope it isn’t as bad as it sounds.
Watson has had some awful luck so far. |
You could tell Eels felt bad for his mistake at FT, when players and managers took applause from the fans after FT, Eels trudged off alone down the tunnel after the briefest of time there.
L2 is faster and stronger than NL
L1 is faster and stronger than L2
The press by Bradford once they had got over the first 10 minutes was fearsome, not one, two , three players pressing, the whole team. Kinda what you should expect from s top 6 team on league 1 really.
We struggled numerous times to play out, heart in mouth moments, and ultimately the first goal after the under hit pass. Second half much the same.
They were simply too strong for us.
Onto positives
Keeper: Really good game - confident in this young man after the two cup games
Bilongo: Decent game at LB, the area most concerned over
Dubes: Created chances, two for example in second half where cut back from byline but nobody there
Other mainstay players from last season had decent games against tough opponents, one or two not so.
Thought their number 6 was awesome, he has signed from Stockport. |  |
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| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 20:02 - Aug 8 with 4147 views | NorthernDale |
I hope Hayes injury is not to serious, but I expect him to be missing next week, it may take time for him to recover. At least Beckworth & Maguire at least back in training,
I am also slightly concerned Ian does not know his best starting eleven or formation, which is potentially due to injuries. EEL made a mistake, which cost us a goal, but all defenders and players make mistakes at some time. I am also concerned about the lack of shots on target, which combined with a defence which leaks goals, is an issue, which Ian seems to see and is hopefully seeking to address. The positive today is we held a very good Bradford side at bay for virtually all of the first half and only conceded due to a mistake.
Next week, I would be tempted to put Moss between the defence and midfield, in the traditional sweeper role. This may mean operating with just one striker, the alternative would be to put Hannant in the number 10 role, with Brown on the wing.
Also Hendo may be back, with possibly Smith on the bench, but Ian implied he needs time, before being involved in the first team, because it can cause an injury, if introduced to soon. | | | |
| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 20:17 - Aug 8 with 4040 views | 442Dale |
| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 20:02 - Aug 8 by NorthernDale |
I hope Hayes injury is not to serious, but I expect him to be missing next week, it may take time for him to recover. At least Beckworth & Maguire at least back in training,
I am also slightly concerned Ian does not know his best starting eleven or formation, which is potentially due to injuries. EEL made a mistake, which cost us a goal, but all defenders and players make mistakes at some time. I am also concerned about the lack of shots on target, which combined with a defence which leaks goals, is an issue, which Ian seems to see and is hopefully seeking to address. The positive today is we held a very good Bradford side at bay for virtually all of the first half and only conceded due to a mistake.
Next week, I would be tempted to put Moss between the defence and midfield, in the traditional sweeper role. This may mean operating with just one striker, the alternative would be to put Hannant in the number 10 role, with Brown on the wing.
Also Hendo may be back, with possibly Smith on the bench, but Ian implied he needs time, before being involved in the first team, because it can cause an injury, if introduced to soon. |
A sweeper plays behind the back four. Do you mean Moss as a defensive midfielder? If so, who else plays in midfield?
We are already playing with one striker. Rodney was playing the same role as Jenkins and as Gilmour did last week but I just don’t think it suits him.
Would agree that Hannant there is worth looking at, but Hayes injury may necessitate him staying wide. Either way we need to be less open in the middle of the park with more options.
Everything is too expansive at the moment. The distances between players and each of the three departments (defence, midfield, forwards) is too much. | |
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| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 20:44 - Aug 8 with 3941 views | TalkingSutty |
| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 20:02 - Aug 8 by NorthernDale |
I hope Hayes injury is not to serious, but I expect him to be missing next week, it may take time for him to recover. At least Beckworth & Maguire at least back in training,
I am also slightly concerned Ian does not know his best starting eleven or formation, which is potentially due to injuries. EEL made a mistake, which cost us a goal, but all defenders and players make mistakes at some time. I am also concerned about the lack of shots on target, which combined with a defence which leaks goals, is an issue, which Ian seems to see and is hopefully seeking to address. The positive today is we held a very good Bradford side at bay for virtually all of the first half and only conceded due to a mistake.
Next week, I would be tempted to put Moss between the defence and midfield, in the traditional sweeper role. This may mean operating with just one striker, the alternative would be to put Hannant in the number 10 role, with Brown on the wing.
Also Hendo may be back, with possibly Smith on the bench, but Ian implied he needs time, before being involved in the first team, because it can cause an injury, if introduced to soon. |
There was nothing really surprising about todays performance or the game itself, Bradford are better than us in every department and it showed. I think if teams let us play we will be effective but when it comes to matching up in a physical sense we will struggle, too easily knocked off the ball and second to most loose balls. We are missing a Shaun Reid/ John Bowdon leader in the team, a hard case. Somebody who leads from the front and isn't afraid to mix it.
Some of the defending in the second half was woeful, defenders trying to dribble out of the box and losing it. If that's not cut out then we're in for a long season. Play out from the back if you're achieving something by doing it, not just for the sake of it. There was very little cohesion or link up play between the defence, midfield and attack and Rodney was woeful again. The injuries are killing momentum, three players with knee injuries is ridiculous. Let's see how we go on against Newport and Crawley, we're due some luck. |  | | |
| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 22:20 - Aug 8 with 3678 views | jonahwhereru |
| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 20:02 - Aug 8 by NorthernDale |
I hope Hayes injury is not to serious, but I expect him to be missing next week, it may take time for him to recover. At least Beckworth & Maguire at least back in training,
I am also slightly concerned Ian does not know his best starting eleven or formation, which is potentially due to injuries. EEL made a mistake, which cost us a goal, but all defenders and players make mistakes at some time. I am also concerned about the lack of shots on target, which combined with a defence which leaks goals, is an issue, which Ian seems to see and is hopefully seeking to address. The positive today is we held a very good Bradford side at bay for virtually all of the first half and only conceded due to a mistake.
Next week, I would be tempted to put Moss between the defence and midfield, in the traditional sweeper role. This may mean operating with just one striker, the alternative would be to put Hannant in the number 10 role, with Brown on the wing.
Also Hendo may be back, with possibly Smith on the bench, but Ian implied he needs time, before being involved in the first team, because it can cause an injury, if introduced to soon. |
I’d be shocked if Watson did know his preferred starting eleven at this stage, he had seven players unavailable today and the league hasn’t even started yet.
Sherring hasn’t had a full pre season and if either Maguire or Beckwith were fit he wouldn’t be starting at this stage of the season.
Give the man and squad a chance to settle.
UTD | | | |
| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 22:29 - Aug 8 with 3637 views | 442Dale |
| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 22:20 - Aug 8 by jonahwhereru |
I’d be shocked if Watson did know his preferred starting eleven at this stage, he had seven players unavailable today and the league hasn’t even started yet.
Sherring hasn’t had a full pre season and if either Maguire or Beckwith were fit he wouldn’t be starting at this stage of the season.
Give the man and squad a chance to settle.
UTD |
Would echo this.
However, especially with all the injuries, we really have missed a trick to try a different formation pre-season.
The whole ‘wingers not wing-backs’ should not be set in stone.
A back three of Moss-EEL-Wilson/Sherring
RWB TAR, LWB Hannant (we already know he’s effective there)
Midfield three of East-Gilmour-Francis
Dieseruvwe and Brown/Rodney or even ZSD up front.
Or two in midfield like last season, with Brown/Rodney/ZSD/Smith as wider forwards.
Our full backs in a back four are not defensively sound enough at present. Nor does having two centre halves help with playing out from the back or having a defensive structure that’s showing to be solid.
We have to be adaptable. [Post edited 8 Aug 22:33]
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| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 22:38 - Aug 8 with 3614 views | mikehunt |
Well, until the first goal went in, I thought we were reasonably comfortable. We were being pressed hard, yes, but most of the time were able to pass our way past their players and get the ball forward. And that's where our problems lay: we couldn't seem to fashion any goal scoring chances.
The second half compounded this where we often held on to the ball too long, got closed down and then got rushed into clearing the ball, which always fell to one of theirs. And there were the numerous stray passes we gave away. That has to be eradicated.
But we still fashioned two good chances - Duberry's low ball across the penalty area that no one could get to and our new feller's one on one which needed a scrambled save to keep it out of the net.
I thought Mani could have done better with a couple of headers he had, too.
Bradford did hit the outside and inside of the post, as well, though.
This performance was the minimum I had hoped for: Not to have been dicked and (imo) not massively outplayed. They just knew what to do in front of goal and we didn't.
If we play, generally, like we did in the first half I think we should be ok.
Not like me to be optimistic but I came away thinking there was promise.
The injuries are a real concern. I hope it is nothing to do with the new training regime or anything like that. So many to be dropping seems to be more than just bad luck. [Post edited 8 Aug 22:42]
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| The worm of time turns not for the cuckoo of circumstance. |
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| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 05:43 - Aug 9 with 3181 views | TalkingSutty |
| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 22:29 - Aug 8 by 442Dale |
Would echo this.
However, especially with all the injuries, we really have missed a trick to try a different formation pre-season.
The whole ‘wingers not wing-backs’ should not be set in stone.
A back three of Moss-EEL-Wilson/Sherring
RWB TAR, LWB Hannant (we already know he’s effective there)
Midfield three of East-Gilmour-Francis
Dieseruvwe and Brown/Rodney or even ZSD up front.
Or two in midfield like last season, with Brown/Rodney/ZSD/Smith as wider forwards.
Our full backs in a back four are not defensively sound enough at present. Nor does having two centre halves help with playing out from the back or having a defensive structure that’s showing to be solid.
We have to be adaptable. [Post edited 8 Aug 22:33]
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There does seem to be some naievety in how we're trying to play. I understand the principles and how Watson envisages the final product to look like but it's all right preaching it, entirely different putting it into practice. To start with you need players who are comfortable playing that way, players who are comfortable taking the ball under pressure with a good first touch who can look after the ball. We don't have enough of them. Players with good engines who can run, something Watson stipulated. Players who actually want to empty the tank every game, i'm not sure some do. Watson's comment that we will be playing football different to other teams in this league is a brave one, i don't believe there are systems and styles that other managers at this level haven't considered. I'm also not convinced we've brought in a proven goalscorer at this level to help Mani, a poacher. We definitely need a number ten. We seem to have a lot of young players with potential but none of them have much experience at this level.
Finally, and my major concern, what happens if the opposition don't allow you to play the way you want to do, what's your back up plan? This isn't non league football, a high tempo and fluid game playing out from the back will look good against part time players but it's a lot harder to implement it the higher up the pyramid you go. We saw that yesterday, once Bradford started to close us down we couldn't keep hold of the ball and just resorted to kicking it anywhere and hoping. Maybe Watson should have tried to subtly implement his style as the season progressed because the players look a bit shell shocked to me and i wonder if the intensity in training can be attributed to the many non contact injuries we are suffering. I've seen the Halifax, Tranmere and Bradford games and to be honest we look a long way from being ready and i think some players are being asked to do things that they aren't capable of doing.
Maybe time to concentrate this week on making us hard to beat and doing the basics of defending, Bradford pushed up onto our wide players and suddenly there was no out ball to play from defence. That's how easy it was, you're only other option is to play it through the middle which is very risky or hit it long. I've not seen a similar style to what McNulty played, it's been chaotic and frantic with players getting in the way of each other and defenders doing daft things in daft areas of the pitch. Hannant and Rowlands have been the standout players during pre-season from what i've seen. A win at Newport will kick start the season, and we need to stop conceding goals. [Post edited 9 Aug 8:43]
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| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 08:56 - Aug 9 with 2906 views | 442Dale |
| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 22:38 - Aug 8 by mikehunt |
Well, until the first goal went in, I thought we were reasonably comfortable. We were being pressed hard, yes, but most of the time were able to pass our way past their players and get the ball forward. And that's where our problems lay: we couldn't seem to fashion any goal scoring chances.
The second half compounded this where we often held on to the ball too long, got closed down and then got rushed into clearing the ball, which always fell to one of theirs. And there were the numerous stray passes we gave away. That has to be eradicated.
But we still fashioned two good chances - Duberry's low ball across the penalty area that no one could get to and our new feller's one on one which needed a scrambled save to keep it out of the net.
I thought Mani could have done better with a couple of headers he had, too.
Bradford did hit the outside and inside of the post, as well, though.
This performance was the minimum I had hoped for: Not to have been dicked and (imo) not massively outplayed. They just knew what to do in front of goal and we didn't.
If we play, generally, like we did in the first half I think we should be ok.
Not like me to be optimistic but I came away thinking there was promise.
The injuries are a real concern. I hope it is nothing to do with the new training regime or anything like that. So many to be dropping seems to be more than just bad luck. [Post edited 8 Aug 22:42]
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If it was muscle injuries then there could be some link to the training. Knee injuries like the one Jenkins suffered (the Hayes one sounds similar - getting foot stuck in the turf when it occurred) and Pettit’s in a challenge can’t be legislated for. It’s staggering bad luck, especially if Hayes is out for a long time too.
It’s been said before but it’s going to take time to introduce the changes Watson looks to want to make. That could be quite a bit of time - look how long it took McNulty to get his to a point where we were winning every week.
Those changes don’t include moving away from the fundamental belief that we are a possession based team. The main difference is that we look to want to do this more quickly when moving up the pitch. Doing something with more speed can potentially lead to more errors, especially when it’s something that’s only recently been introduced and is still being worked on.
When we’ve played with more haste and less speed in the past, that control has been almost total. The aim now is to get more speed and more control.
The changes in structure/formation could assist with this. Reduce the distances. | |
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| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 09:35 - Aug 9 with 2805 views | NorthernDale |
I think Ian as said he is still looking to get people in and is talking to Edwards, about a contract, so hopefully we can get at least one of his targets in before Saturday. In that on paper, we could or will be missing: Hayes, Jenkins, Pettit, Beckwith (back in training), Maguire (back in training), Smith (possibly not ready yet) - that is a lot of players missing to cope with at the start of the season.
Then there is Hendo (is he back from his honeymoon, hopefully he is back and in training?), but hopefully we can get a positive result at Newport. I got the impression, that Watson in his post match comments, that he saw the game both a competitive game, but at the same time, as part of the pre-season programme, in which can iron out issues, before the start of the league next week.
I have also watched the highlights this morning from the Bradford and EEL back pass still looks bad, in that he did not need to do it, but never seem to look around. What I may state next, may be controversial, but I beginning to wonder, if passing to the keeper as been drilled into them over the last few years to the extent it as been an natural instinct. [Post edited 9 Aug 9:37]
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| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 09:55 - Aug 9 with 2724 views | 442Dale |
| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 09:35 - Aug 9 by NorthernDale |
I think Ian as said he is still looking to get people in and is talking to Edwards, about a contract, so hopefully we can get at least one of his targets in before Saturday. In that on paper, we could or will be missing: Hayes, Jenkins, Pettit, Beckwith (back in training), Maguire (back in training), Smith (possibly not ready yet) - that is a lot of players missing to cope with at the start of the season.
Then there is Hendo (is he back from his honeymoon, hopefully he is back and in training?), but hopefully we can get a positive result at Newport. I got the impression, that Watson in his post match comments, that he saw the game both a competitive game, but at the same time, as part of the pre-season programme, in which can iron out issues, before the start of the league next week.
I have also watched the highlights this morning from the Bradford and EEL back pass still looks bad, in that he did not need to do it, but never seem to look around. What I may state next, may be controversial, but I beginning to wonder, if passing to the keeper as been drilled into them over the last few years to the extent it as been an natural instinct. [Post edited 9 Aug 9:37]
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Watson uses keeper in building up the play too.
The difference is that EEL would have had another option in a wide centre back previously. The change in formation reduces those options.
Either way, it’s just a really poor mistake. | |
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| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 10:02 - Aug 9 with 2696 views | TalkingSutty |
| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 09:35 - Aug 9 by NorthernDale |
I think Ian as said he is still looking to get people in and is talking to Edwards, about a contract, so hopefully we can get at least one of his targets in before Saturday. In that on paper, we could or will be missing: Hayes, Jenkins, Pettit, Beckwith (back in training), Maguire (back in training), Smith (possibly not ready yet) - that is a lot of players missing to cope with at the start of the season.
Then there is Hendo (is he back from his honeymoon, hopefully he is back and in training?), but hopefully we can get a positive result at Newport. I got the impression, that Watson in his post match comments, that he saw the game both a competitive game, but at the same time, as part of the pre-season programme, in which can iron out issues, before the start of the league next week.
I have also watched the highlights this morning from the Bradford and EEL back pass still looks bad, in that he did not need to do it, but never seem to look around. What I may state next, may be controversial, but I beginning to wonder, if passing to the keeper as been drilled into them over the last few years to the extent it as been an natural instinct. [Post edited 9 Aug 9:37]
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There were some good things to take out of yesterdays performance also. Tobi and Hannant linked up well down the right hand side during the first half, the goalkeeper looked sound and Silcott Dewsbury isn't afraid to take his man on. Mani D had one header cleared off the line and looped another just wide, he did ok against a strong defence. Bilongo is mobile and seems to get stuck in, he looks a bit raw though and i'm not sure that's his natural position. I also like the look of Sherring, he's calm and composed. It also needs to be remembered we were up against a potential Championship team yesterday. Next Saturday at Newport should give the players more scope to implement Watson's game plan. | | | |
| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 10:22 - Aug 9 with 2625 views | fitzochris |
When Watson was first rumoured to be in the running, I spent a bit of time looking at how his South Shields side played and shared some of it on social media, including a video of him training.
One thing I remember thinking at the time was how his preference for a back four would work here, especially when trying to play out from the back.
His system seemed to rely quite heavily on the two in midfield being available as an outlet. That is a change from what we had under McNulty, even though East and Gilmour were used that way.
With the back three, you've got that extra player in the first line and the wing-backs give you an obvious outlet. There are usually more options when you're trying to play through a press. With four at the back, a lot more depends on those two midfielders being comfortable taking the ball and making themselves available.
I thought you could see some of that against Bradford in the first half. Their press was very good, but there were also times when we had nowhere obvious to go. The distances between the defence and midfield looked too big and, once Bradford got onto us, we started forcing passes and making mistakes.
There is a personnel issue here as well. The current centre-back pairing looked a bit short of pace yesterday and, regardless of the system, the error that led to the first goal simply shouldn't happen. You can argue that playing out from the back carries an element of risk, but playing a backpass that wasn’t on like that is an individual mistake, pure and simple.
There was another problem too. We weren't getting the ball wide quickly enough, which meant we were trying to play through the middle far too often. Rodney then found himself isolated or behind the play, while Mani D was channeling his inner Harry Kane at times with how deep he had to drop to get involved.
None of that really helps the ultimate objective, which is having someone in and around the box to actually threaten the goal. The shots-on-target count says it all.
I'm not saying that means Watson's system won't work but the players might simply need to get better at playing it and, importantly, get the right players available to make it work.
The injuries make it difficult to judge as well. Pettit's injury is horrible timing, Hayes now looks to be out and we've had a number of players missing or coming back at different stages. Watson hasn't really had the luxury of putting his preferred defence and midfield together week after week and letting them develop an understanding.
McNulty had that advantage over time, as 442Dale says. His players eventually knew the shape inside out, where the next pass was going and what the player beside them was likely to do.
Watson is asking them to learn something different, and doing that while constantly changing personnel can't be easy. Some may still be too wedded to the old way.
At the same time, I think the sheer number of injuries now means the club probably has to start thinking about “cover for the cover”. That's how rotten the luck has been. Brown looks a good addition as a No.9, but Jenkins was clearly the marquee No. 10 and his absence is being felt. You can build a squad with sensible cover for each position, but when the cover is then injured as well, it creates a different problem.
The left-back position can't be neglected either, particularly after Bilongo appeared to pick up an injury yesterday. We don't want to get to a situation where we're solving one injury problem by creating another positional weakness somewhere else.
There are concerns from Bradford. Of course there are. If we're going to play out from the back, we need to be much better when teams press us aggressively. Bradford showed how quickly it can go wrong but then they are a League One club likely among the promotion contenders.
Watson will need time to work it through. And I'd be quite happy for him to change the shape if he decides the squad is better suited to a back three. The formation should ultimately be about getting the best out of the players he's got.
I suppose that's what makes the next few weeks interesting. We haven't really seen Watson's team yet, just a squad dealing with a new manager, a new system and a pretty brutal injury list.
I'd rather judge the system once he's had a proper chance to put his players together. [Post edited 9 Aug 10:28]
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| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 11:26 - Aug 9 with 2429 views | isitme |
With all the injuries it has been very difficult for Watson. He probably has an idea as to what his 'best 11' is, but has probably not been able to play it. Hopefully the defensive issues will be ironed out over time when injuries clear up and there is consistency of selection. Centre backs need pairings, after a while you know what each other needs to do. I have no idea what the first choice back four will be. Tobi has actually done really well, so fair play to him as I thought that would be a real weakness.
The number 10 is a massive problem as we have nobody fit who it naturally suits. We need a starter there. I am not sure East/Gilmour or Rodney in there is a long term solution. Maybe we could rotate one of the wide players in there. Maybe Hannant, Smith or Heyes could work in those pockets of space. Another thing to throw out for discussion is how long until Brown starts ahead of Mani?
The first two league games will hopefully give a clearer picture. More time in training and hopefully a couple more players in. |  | | |
| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 11:57 - Aug 9 with 2347 views | NorthernDale |
That is a good question about Brown and Mani, would you not be tempted to use both, because Mani on his own, can become isolated and marked out of the game. One person, who as not been mentioned in the number 10 role is Hendo, yes his age is potentially against him, but he would be the ideal player and someone, who could on early in the second half, to replace someone like Hannant for example. | | | |
| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 12:04 - Aug 9 with 2327 views | TalkingSutty |
| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 11:26 - Aug 9 by isitme |
With all the injuries it has been very difficult for Watson. He probably has an idea as to what his 'best 11' is, but has probably not been able to play it. Hopefully the defensive issues will be ironed out over time when injuries clear up and there is consistency of selection. Centre backs need pairings, after a while you know what each other needs to do. I have no idea what the first choice back four will be. Tobi has actually done really well, so fair play to him as I thought that would be a real weakness.
The number 10 is a massive problem as we have nobody fit who it naturally suits. We need a starter there. I am not sure East/Gilmour or Rodney in there is a long term solution. Maybe we could rotate one of the wide players in there. Maybe Hannant, Smith or Heyes could work in those pockets of space. Another thing to throw out for discussion is how long until Brown starts ahead of Mani?
The first two league games will hopefully give a clearer picture. More time in training and hopefully a couple more players in. |
Brown starts ahead of Mani D when he proves that he brings more to the party. Holds up the ball and scores goals. Give Mani D the service this season and he'll score between 15 and 20 goals. Let's not start a clamour to drop the best goalscorer we have in the club before the league seasons even started. He's not going to suddenly lose the ability to put the ball into the net, he needs a bit of help though, a decent number 10 would be good. [Post edited 9 Aug 12:06]
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| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 12:08 - Aug 9 with 2315 views | isitme |
| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 11:57 - Aug 9 by NorthernDale |
That is a good question about Brown and Mani, would you not be tempted to use both, because Mani on his own, can become isolated and marked out of the game. One person, who as not been mentioned in the number 10 role is Hendo, yes his age is potentially against him, but he would be the ideal player and someone, who could on early in the second half, to replace someone like Hannant for example. |
My issue is more how does he fit with a high energy, high press game. He has many talents but is not the quickest and can appear a bit languid at times. | | | |
| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 12:20 - Aug 9 with 2260 views | TalkingSutty |
| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 12:08 - Aug 9 by isitme |
My issue is more how does he fit with a high energy, high press game. He has many talents but is not the quickest and can appear a bit languid at times. |
Good point regarding the pressing but when the wingers are fit and firing i have a lot of confidence that Mani D will get on the end of them, he's a good finisher. He's also very useful defending set pieces in our own box. If Mani D was to get injured in training this week it would be viewed by most fans as the biggest blow of the lot. I hope Brown hits the ground running and starts banging in the goals but until that happens Mani D is the first name on the teamsheet for me. I'll also add that unless Rodney pulls his finger out i'd be looking to move him on and replace him. He doesn't look interested half of the time and his control of the ball yesterday was woeful. I'm expecting Mani D to score the winning goal at Newport next week, these two Carabao cup games have been good preperation against tough opposition.. [Post edited 9 Aug 12:31]
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| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 12:33 - Aug 9 with 2190 views | isitme |
| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 12:20 - Aug 9 by TalkingSutty |
Good point regarding the pressing but when the wingers are fit and firing i have a lot of confidence that Mani D will get on the end of them, he's a good finisher. He's also very useful defending set pieces in our own box. If Mani D was to get injured in training this week it would be viewed by most fans as the biggest blow of the lot. I hope Brown hits the ground running and starts banging in the goals but until that happens Mani D is the first name on the teamsheet for me. I'll also add that unless Rodney pulls his finger out i'd be looking to move him on and replace him. He doesn't look interested half of the time and his control of the ball yesterday was woeful. I'm expecting Mani D to score the winning goal at Newport next week, these two Carabao cup games have been good preperation against tough opposition.. [Post edited 9 Aug 12:31]
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As with any transition to a new manager and formation there will be casualties along the way. Rodney looks like the he could be the first one as I am not sure where he fits in the new system. I thought Tobi would struggle but he has been one of our best performers so far, so fair play to him. Mani does have his attributes and with the tools around him he will score goals. I think Brown will be good for him in that if he is pressing more there is not the expectation that he will have to do it for 90 minutes and can get spelled. | | | |
| Refwatch - Bradford City v Rochdale (Carabao Cup Round 1) on 12:00 - Aug 10 with 1273 views | Dale_4_Life |
Bradford obviously a very good side and a cut above where we are currently.
Jenkins / Petit and Hayes all out for some time is a difficult obstacle to overcome but overcome we must.
Some encouraging passages of play but second best all afternoon. The players look like they are still getting used to the new style of play.
Brown chance and the Mani header could have given us a chance but it just was not meant to be.. now we have a clear run at League 2.. hoping for an encouraging performance on Saturday and a winning start. | | | |
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