Bradford City (H) - EFL Trophy

[Eddie]

3 minutes ago, Whitesince63 said:

Read it all don’t just pick bits you want. If he gets recalled in January which is entirely possible the team on tonight’s performance could actually perform at least as well so of course we’d miss the excitement and his individual ability but I’m not sure it would weaken us as much as we may think. We’re not a one man team are we?

Any chance our fan base can make some judgements over a bit longer than the last game they watched.

That was great to watch, there were some great performances but it in no way reflected a competitive league match.

Just like a draw at Luton doesn’t mean we’re doomed to not get promoted again, nor does a good performance against a half asleep Bradford team who were only concerned about what time they’ll get back home mean that our players are suddenly world beaters, they can only play in certain positions, we don’t need (arguably) the best player in the league anymore and they’re really any different than the whole season has shown us.

The key positive out of all of it was Cissoko clearly buzzing with confidence, that is a genuine change from what we have seen so far and could alter his form for the league. I wouldn’t be disappointed to see him start v Mansfield (Tutu at the weekend) and let him hopefully build on that confidence.

[desperado]

9 minutes ago, desperado said:

What problem?! 😂

Crikey how does an EFL trophy game that we win 3-0 turn into a problem with our best player!

I think I’d better go to bed! 😂

double post

Edited December 2, 2025 by desperado

[Steejay]

26 minutes ago, Whitesince63 said:

After tonight and I know we can’t get carried away with one performance, do we really need ACD? I actually thought we looked much more dangerous because we brought so many other players into the game, we certainly created more chances than we have this season. I accept Bradford were sub strength but I thought the way that Forss, Randall, the midfield and full backs worked together was superb and the players looked so much more confident and quicker. I love ACD but it makes you think is the team a better unit without him?

 

 

3 minutes ago, L/H White said:

so tonight we've got Forrester doing a job in DM and dropping ACD

The lunatics have taken over the asylum.

Edited December 2, 2025 by Steejay

[desperado]

12 minutes ago, Whitesince63 said:

Read it all don’t just pick bits you want. If he gets recalled in January which is entirely possible the team on tonight’s performance could actually perform at least as well so of course we’d miss the excitement and his individual ability but I’m not sure it would weaken us as much as we may think. We’re not a one man team are we?

Well maybe consider a rephrase then -  something along the lines of “performances like that give you a bit of hope that even if we lose loan players, we’ve got players in the waiting who can step up”

Rather than questioning our player of the season so far.

Come on you’ve got to understand folks responses to your original post - you’ve got folk talking about the “problem we have with ACD” now! 😂

[bwfc4ife]

ACD is class, I don’t mean he’s a problem. I meant his effectiveness could be improved by a little more unpredictability I.e switching him over for a few mins either half. The opposition wouldn’t know what to do 

[Spider]

27 minutes ago, Whitesince63 said:

After tonight and I know we can’t get carried away with one performance, do we really need ACD? I actually thought we looked much more dangerous because we brought so many other players into the game, we certainly created more chances than we have this season. I accept Bradford were sub strength but I thought the way that Forss, Randall, the midfield and full backs worked together was superb and the players looked so much more confident and quicker. I love ACD but it makes you think is the team a better unit without him?

I’ve seen some wild posts on here down the years, but this is up there with some of Bolty’s insanity.

Good effort.

[Krimzon]

1 hour ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Do you reckon he would keep essentially this team if they continued to go further in the competition?

Not including ACD, Toal etc, and having "first teamers" on the bench.

Sometimes these games do resemble stiffs games, but generally not this season.

I wonder if they have been told that as long as we progress, they are the ones to keep the shirt.

If I were the manager , thats what Id tell um and do . 

[desperado]

1 minute ago, bwfc4ife said:

ACD is class, I don’t mean he’s a problem. I meant his effectiveness could be improved by a little more unpredictability I.e switching him over for a few mins either half. The opposition wouldn’t know what to do 

Fair enough - batting off Masi and Sincey Is overheating my phone! 😂👍

[Krimzon]

59 minutes ago, Marc505 said:

I believe Harrogate spoons is one of the best there is

I hope we get the draw in the next round just for how much you are hypersalivating over the potential tie 😉

[Krimzon]

57 minutes ago, Take Hunt Off said:

Winter Gardens I think . Absolutely mint.

Only ever went for the "Young Farmers" do's . Total bloodbath . 

[DaveTheRave]

Entertaining game. Enjoyed it. Could have had 6 quite easily. 

Come On You Whites!!!

[Johnnyrotten]

1 hour ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Do you reckon he would keep essentially this team if they continued to go further in the competition?

Not including ACD, Toal etc, and having "first teamers" on the bench.

Sometimes these games do resemble stiffs games, but generally not this season.

I wonder if they have been told that as long as we progress, they are the ones to keep the shirt.

No. He's not looking that far ahead, some might not be here by the next round anyway.  And most of them want to be starting league games not glorified reserve games in front of 2k.  Its not a reward to say you're in the cup team, its virtually confirming you aren't starting the next league game in front of 20k.

[Marc505]

2 minutes ago, Krimzon said:

I hope we get the draw in the next round just for how much you are hypersalivating over the potential tie 😉

Serious business this 92 thing!

[Lostock Whites]

Play Christie in most of the League game and leave Cogley for the cup games please

[Johnnyrotten]

1 hour ago, desperado said:

I think he would.

He’s been pretty consistent (especially when games are stacked) in making sweeping changes from the league side.

But the good thing is, the first 11 keeps rotating so it won’t necessarily always be the same EFL trophy team 

So that's no then 😀

[Krimzon]

Erahon reminds me of a Div 3 Tom Huddleston . Not a criticism btw. 

[FrancisFogarty]

They were three good goals in a decent game. I'd have liked Cissoko to have got his third.

 

Edited December 2, 2025 by FrancisFogarty

[Mounts Kipper]

10 minutes ago, Krimzon said:

I hope we get the draw in the next round just for how much you are hypersalivating over the potential tie 😉

When’s the draw?

[Krimzon]

Just now, Mounts Kipper said:

When’s the draw?

The commentary just said  "sometime this week" and still regionalised . 

 

[Johnnyrotten]

49 minutes ago, masi 51 said:

I will put it in anyway you want   Erhahon and Simons need to play every league game

Taylor is understudy to Conway so will play there if/when Conway needs a rest/injured.....At the end of the day it is SS call

I would counter your thoughts by saying if he does not play Simons Erhahon at Mansfield it would be Ridiculous

Simons is class but he's had a lot of very average games away.  EE has had average games.  When Sheehan's on his game he's as good as any of them.  None of us know who will play well in a given game.

Simons gave the best midfield display I've seen in recent years v Reading. 4 days earlier at Barnsley he was awful for an hour and Morley came on and looked twice the player.  Meanwhile Cissoko came on and looked streets ahead of both Gale and ACD.

Nobody is undroppable or a guaranteed starter.

 

[desperado]

1 hour ago, desperado said:

Not including ACD, Toal etc, and having "first teamers" on the bench.

Sometimes these games do resemble stiffs games, but generally not this season.

19 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

So that's no then 😀

double post - I’m definitely off to bed! 😂 Night Night

Edited December 2, 2025 by desperado

[desperado]

1 hour ago, desperado said:

Not including ACD, Toal etc, and having "first teamers" on the bench.

Sometimes these games do resemble stiffs games, but generally not this season.

17 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

So that's no then 😀

Well in a roundabout way! 😂

I thought @Tonge moor green jacket made a good point with the essence of his post and I was in agreement with what he said above.

Ultimately that he’s going to play a “2nd 11” - but yes if the season goes the same way, that 2nd 11 is going to keep changing. 

[Marc505]

12 minutes ago, Krimzon said:

The commentary just said  "sometime this week" and still regionalised . 

 

Comms in this competition are a joke, everything about it is an afterthought.

If its same as last season its regionalised up to and including quarter finals, mid January for next round and early Feb for the quarter finals.

And if the next round is away, we have a fair bit of travelling to do in January 

Edited December 2, 2025 by Marc505

[Johnnyrotten]

32 minutes ago, Eddie said:

The key positive out of all of it was Cissoko clearly buzzing with confidence, that is a genuine change from what we have seen so far and could alter his form for the league. I wouldn’t be disappointed to see him start v Mansfield (Tutu at the weekend) and let him hopefully build on that confidence.

I'm pleased for Cissoko but you answered it yourself, is it not just the case that whoever plays in these games gets a confidence boost?  At Oldham, Tutu got the nod after a load of criticism, ripped them apart a few times, scored, as did all the strikers!  Fine, a good boost and all that, but what did it mean for the next league game?  Dalby, Tutu criticised v Bradford, everyone else back on the bench.  He's a relatively experienced player, he's not likely to improve based on an EFL trophy game unfortunately, but if he does great.

On a lighter note, how funny was that attempt in front of goal in the 2nd half?  Proper comedy finish 😀

[Leyther_Matt]

25 minutes ago, Marc505 said:

Comms in this competition are a joke, everything about it is an afterthought.

If its same as last season its regionalised up to and including quarter finals, mid January for next round and early Feb for the quarter finals.

And if the next round is away, we have a fair bit of travelling to do in January 

Vertu Trophy fixtures remain regionalised until the Semi-Final stage.

From the Round of 32 phase to the Semi-Finals, no extra time shall be played. The winners shall be determined by penalty kicks.

https://www.efl.com/news/2025/november/11/vertu-trophy-round-of-32-draw-details/