Bradford City (H)

[Traf]

Just now, Traf said:

No jesting going on here.

There is going to be an away fanzone on Saturday.

Oh, and an indoor one for home fans for the Mansfield game.

[Duck Egg]

1 hour ago, RUREADY2ROLL said:

Just don’t start like we did against Port Vale; we need to be on the front foot from the kick off

We've started slowly a few times this season.  Hopefully we're on it from the 1st minute this Saturday 

[W.cramp]

Dempsey for randall,  gayle for cissoko

Should be a  very strong bench on saturday as long as no unknown injurys

 

[only1swanny]

4 tickets for Exeter at home... £25 quid.. done

 

they do still do them. It's done up since a tenner last season though.

[Zico]

7 minutes ago, W.cramp said:

Dempsey for randall,  gayle for cissoko

Should be a  very strong bench on saturday as long as no unknown injurys

 

Cissoko been doing alright in his absence

Gale needs to wait for his chance

Randall has had his so time to step aside, again

[only1swanny]

1 minute ago, Zico said:

Cissoko been doing alright in his absence

Gale needs to wait for his chance

Randall has had his so time to step aside, again

Randall has been improving game on game, but I feel we aren't playing him in "His" position with us. 

I get the impression as an attacking midfielder behind 2 main forwards he'd be great, but the same could be said for McAtee.. who seems to have fallen from grace. 

 

[Wanderlust]

I’m finding it increasingly difficult to predict how SS will set us up, but I suspect there’s a fair bit of opposition analysis involved. Whatever he goes for I’m just hoping he gets it right again as he’s been doing ok recently.

Tricky against an experienced team like these.

[Wanderlust]

Schumacher played for Bradford back in the day I reckon. 
 

Anyhow this from Bradford fans site from the Voice:

 

Prediction:
While a full strength Bradford City side are probably as good as anyone in League One this season, a mid-strength and constantly rotating Bradford City side have looked decidedly mediocre. If Graham Alexander can call upon some of his big guns at Bolton Wanderers, there’s still the possibility this game has come just a little too soon – with potential rustiness and lack of form a major concern.

Bolton Wanderers don’t have any of those concerns, and even though they could come a cropper in January if Mason Burstow and Amari Cozier-Duberry’s parent clubs choose to recall them, that will simply not be a factor on Saturday afternoon. Cozier-Duberry is on scintillating form of late, and his threat could pin left wing back Ibou Touray back and negate one of City’s most consistent attacking outlets. If that is the case, Josh Neufville on the right will need to have a blinder, or City will have to adapt to the fact long diagonal balls aren’t as readily available. Playing through the middle hasn’t been City’s strongest suit this season, although Pointon and Sarcevic have both shown they can influence big games, with Sarcevic having found the net in huge away wins over Stockport County and Cardiff City. If they both start, the omens are better – the circumstances won’t be ideal, but it’s still a major improvement.

What City really need is for a striker to find form – whether it’s another purple patch from Will Swan, or the return of the talismanic Andy Cook to the heights of 23/24, or even the mercurial Stephen Humphrys to finally blossom for a sustained period, something needs to give. If it doesn’t, Bolton Wanderers’ odds on favouritism (3/4 per the bookmakers, with City a whopping 16/5) will look great value. A team not solely reliant on two players on red hot form, Bolton Wanderers have cultured players all over the pitch – and the best home form in the division, coupled with the best xG.

This is potentially a tough one for City, and if they batten down the hatches, a draw is possible – but without knowing who Alexander will be able to field, and without knowing exactly how sharp those players will actually be, this looks an easy pick.

Bolton Wanderers have to be installed as major favourites, and could win this at a canter.

Final Score:
Bolton Wanderers 4 – 1 Bradford City

[Zico]

Talking of crowd noncery 

 

[gonzo]

8 hours ago, only1swanny said:

Randall has been improving game on game, but I feel we aren't playing him in "His" position with us. 

I get the impression as an attacking midfielder behind 2 main forwards he'd be great, but the same could be said for McAtee.. who seems to have fallen from grace. 

 

That's littleraly where he's been playing.

Wish I could see the Improving bit.

[Stig]

Just now, gonzo said:

That's littleraly where he's been playing.

Wish I could see the Improving bit.

He's 4th choice not for that number 10 role for me. Far too lightweight and I can't remember seeing a player who looks incapable of kicking the ball hard.

Any decent bid in Jan (£250k and above) and we should be cutting our losses.

[bwfc4ife]

4 minutes ago, Stig said:

He's 4th choice not for that number 10 role for me. Far too lightweight and I can't remember seeing a player who looks incapable of kicking the ball hard.

Any decent bid in Jan (£250k and above) and we should be cutting our losses.

Totally agree, even if it's just for the lads benefit and gets him playing week in/week out. Looks defeated constantly with his head down all the time. 

[desperado]

8 hours ago, only1swanny said:

Randall has been improving game on game, but I feel we aren't playing him in "His" position with us. 

I get the impression as an attacking midfielder behind 2 main forwards he'd be great, but the same could be said for McAtee.. who seems to have fallen from grace. 

 

 

10 minutes ago, gonzo said:

That's littleraly where he's been playing.

Wish I could see the Improving bit.

Strange one that Swanny. As Gonzo said that’s where he’s been played!

If anything this season I’d say Mcatee has made a far stronger case for that spot than Randal.

But I think that spot is Forss’ or Dempsey’s Saturday. 

[Big E]

18 minutes ago, gonzo said:

That's littleraly where he's been playing.

Wish I could see the Improving bit.

Just pretend he’s CMG and you will see if like you did last time 😁

[Arrested development]

9 hours ago, Wanderlust said:

Schumacher played for Bradford back in the day I reckon. 
 

Anyhow this from Bradford fans site from the Voice:

 

Prediction:
While a full strength Bradford City side are probably as good as anyone in League One this season, a mid-strength and constantly rotating Bradford City side have looked decidedly mediocre. If Graham Alexander can call upon some of his big guns at Bolton Wanderers, there’s still the possibility this game has come just a little too soon – with potential rustiness and lack of form a major concern.

Bolton Wanderers don’t have any of those concerns, and even though they could come a cropper in January if Mason Burstow and Amari Cozier-Duberry’s parent clubs choose to recall them, that will simply not be a factor on Saturday afternoon. Cozier-Duberry is on scintillating form of late, and his threat could pin left wing back Ibou Touray back and negate one of City’s most consistent attacking outlets. If that is the case, Josh Neufville on the right will need to have a blinder, or City will have to adapt to the fact long diagonal balls aren’t as readily available. Playing through the middle hasn’t been City’s strongest suit this season, although Pointon and Sarcevic have both shown they can influence big games, with Sarcevic having found the net in huge away wins over Stockport County and Cardiff City. If they both start, the omens are better – the circumstances won’t be ideal, but it’s still a major improvement.

What City really need is for a striker to find form – whether it’s another purple patch from Will Swan, or the return of the talismanic Andy Cook to the heights of 23/24, or even the mercurial Stephen Humphrys to finally blossom for a sustained period, something needs to give. If it doesn’t, Bolton Wanderers’ odds on favouritism (3/4 per the bookmakers, with City a whopping 16/5) will look great value. A team not solely reliant on two players on red hot form, Bolton Wanderers have cultured players all over the pitch – and the best home form in the division, coupled with the best xG.

This is potentially a tough one for City, and if they batten down the hatches, a draw is possible – but without knowing who Alexander will be able to field, and without knowing exactly how sharp those players will actually be, this looks an easy pick.

Bolton Wanderers have to be installed as major favourites, and could win this at a canter.

Final Score:
Bolton Wanderers 4 – 1 Bradford City

This reminded me that Wigan wank stain Humphrys plays for these. Hope he gets the abuse Instead of sarce. 

[Traf]

1 hour ago, desperado said:

 

Strange one that Swanny. As Gonzo said that’s where he’s been played!

If anything this season I’d say Mcatee has made a far stronger case for that spot than Randal.

But I think that spot is Forss’ or Dempsey’s Saturday. 

McAtee's case has strengthened by not playing. Randall has played and demoted himself down the pecking order by doing so.

Saturday could be quite physical and Dempsey ticks that box more than Forss. Elsewhere, our two centre halves will need to be strong, Johnston will need a much better performance than he usually produces against Humphries.

[gonzo]

Humphries is like a B-Tec McLean.

The big ear-cupping nobhead.

[Johnnyrotten]

11 hours ago, only1swanny said:

4 tickets for Exeter at home... £25 quid.. done

 

they do still do them. It's done up since a tenner last season though.

Is that for any game or just selected.

I'm in Lifeline and we get 4 games where we can buy 2 tickets at £10 each, I forgot about it for the first game but the 2nd happens to be Exeter.  Last two are Burton (Tuesday so a hard sell) and surprisingly the promotion party v Luton, 2nd May. 

[Johnnyrotten]

1 hour ago, gonzo said:

Humphries is like a B-Tec McLean.

The big ear-cupping nobhead.

One of them players we seem to play against every season.  First time I remember he was at Southend when Sol Campbell was their manager.  Big clash of the bottom 2.  Won 3-2 but loads on here were saying he looked good and (as he's from the NW) we should sign him.  Not sure he would have replaced Dodoo though 😀 (plays for Alfreton now and still only 30).

[Eddie]

10 hours ago, Wanderlust said:

Schumacher played for Bradford back in the day I reckon. 
 

Anyhow this from Bradford fans site from the Voice:

 

Prediction:
While a full strength Bradford City side are probably as good as anyone in League One this season, a mid-strength and constantly rotating Bradford City side have looked decidedly mediocre. If Graham Alexander can call upon some of his big guns at Bolton Wanderers, there’s still the possibility this game has come just a little too soon – with potential rustiness and lack of form a major concern.

Bolton Wanderers don’t have any of those concerns, and even though they could come a cropper in January if Mason Burstow and Amari Cozier-Duberry’s parent clubs choose to recall them, that will simply not be a factor on Saturday afternoon. Cozier-Duberry is on scintillating form of late, and his threat could pin left wing back Ibou Touray back and negate one of City’s most consistent attacking outlets. If that is the case, Josh Neufville on the right will need to have a blinder, or City will have to adapt to the fact long diagonal balls aren’t as readily available. Playing through the middle hasn’t been City’s strongest suit this season, although Pointon and Sarcevic have both shown they can influence big games, with Sarcevic having found the net in huge away wins over Stockport County and Cardiff City. If they both start, the omens are better – the circumstances won’t be ideal, but it’s still a major improvement.

What City really need is for a striker to find form – whether it’s another purple patch from Will Swan, or the return of the talismanic Andy Cook to the heights of 23/24, or even the mercurial Stephen Humphrys to finally blossom for a sustained period, something needs to give. If it doesn’t, Bolton Wanderers’ odds on favouritism (3/4 per the bookmakers, with City a whopping 16/5) will look great value. A team not solely reliant on two players on red hot form, Bolton Wanderers have cultured players all over the pitch – and the best home form in the division, coupled with the best xG.

This is potentially a tough one for City, and if they batten down the hatches, a draw is possible – but without knowing who Alexander will be able to field, and without knowing exactly how sharp those players will actually be, this looks an easy pick.

Bolton Wanderers have to be installed as major favourites, and could win this at a canter.

Final Score:
Bolton Wanderers 4 – 1 Bradford City

“Left wing back…”

Things you love to read!

[ianofcleveleys]

37 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

Is that for any game or just selected.

I'm in Lifeline and we get 4 games where we can buy 2 tickets at £10 each, I forgot about it for the first game but the 2nd happens to be Exeter.  Last two are Burton (Tuesday so a hard sell) and surprisingly the promotion party v Luton, 2nd May. 

I'm in Lifeline and hadn't cottoned on to that offer, thanks 👍

[ianofcleveleys]

1 hour ago, Traf said:

McAtee's case has strengthened by not playing. Randall has played and demoted himself down the pecking order by doing so.

Saturday could be quite physical and Dempsey ticks that box more than Forss. Elsewhere, our two centre halves will need to be strong, Johnston will need a much better performance than he usually produces against Humphries.

Agree with that, I'd like to see Dempsey start this one, he can be a big help in keeping pressure on by winning it back high up or at least harassing opponents as they try to get out.

[Dr. Feelgood]

Fckg Sarcevic. He doesn't go away does he !

Edited November 20, 2025 by Dr. Feelgood

[barrycowdrill]

Win and don’t give that fat bog eyed manc a sniff that’s all I ask 

[freds dad]

1 hour ago, barrycowdrill said:

Win and don’t give that fat bog eyed manc a sniff that’s all I ask 

He’ll be too busy trying to kick ACD