Let's talk about the Bradford City game

[selby]

  I have seen Bromley described as a team of non league cloggers, mot quite true in my mind, they showed more than that and the main reason we lost the game was one of the most outstanding performances by a goalkeeper we have seen at the Eco stadium since  we moved there.
  Well let me tell the supporter who wrote that we are about to play a team that gave us in the new year our biggest kicking we have had for many a year resulting in two players being out injured for the rest on the season, and I for one hope we dish a bit out on Saturday.
   West Yorkshires and the Yoirkshire Post's back up to Leeds United, perennial failures over the last few seasons  when expected to roll everyone over in this division and on paper a strong side for this level and have changed a number of managers that have been seen to struggle with the expectation and hopefully we can add to the present managers criticism on Saturday and Bradford continue for a long time being in this league to bring big crowds to the division, and lose to clubs they see as pub teams.   
   Cook will be a problem, hopefully will try to stay on his feet instead of throwing himself down every time he gets a touch ( or the touch is a good one that keeps him down)   Pointon also a really good young player who I first saw in their academy side will want watching closely a very good prospect who I expect to get a move higher at some point.
  Last seasons EFL cup game proved to me they see us as a team that can be bullied out of games, to a degree true , but in that game over the top, I expect the same again and hope the Referee is a lot more on it this season than the one that game.
  Last nights game was a surprise result in some ways but continued our difficulties with teams employing the low block with five across the field at the back , and when needed the tactical foul in midfield, not good to watch but we struggle with it and more teams will play that way against us.
  We did enough in the game however to win the game easily, Smith the keeper great on the night with everything sticking with him.  Kelly I thought was our best player  and although we lost to me nobody had a bad game, just one of those nights when things didn't go for us and the other side cashed in.  One thing I think though is we are not good at defending our own penalty area, they missed two sitters snatching at two good chances that could have been defended much better and has shown up in other games when we got away with it.
  So a big game against as you will have gathered a team I  don't admire a lot and probably when we are not quite in our best form. Will we make changes? if Bradford are confident and open up more than some teams lately, can we go head to head? can we match their physical approach? will our strikers return to goal scoring form? two big players for us  and could rise  to the challenge in games like this.
  Can we develop a little more bite in midfield? and start to defend better in our own penalty area? Lot's to discuss, a game to look forward to with a big crowd, please have your say.

[Reg of the Rovers]

Andy Cook is another big lump, but he's very effective! Not usually a happy hunting ground for us so be nice to get a win there and bounce back from last night. Pitch usually looks like a ploughed field as well which doesn't help our brand of football.

Hurst to come in for a start, Sharp back in as well as he's a derby type of player. Maybe Emmanuel for Sterry if fit - he's got a bit more physicality and looks decent getting forward.

Kelly looked a bit off it last few games, wasn't at it for me last night so bring in Hurst for a start behind Sharp.

TSL / Emmanuel / Olowu / McGrath / Maxwell / Bailey / Clifton / Gibson / Moly / Hurst / Sharp 

[drfchound]

Andy Cook is more than a big lump.
He has a very good touch, I remember him sliding a superb ball into our box to create a goal at the KM a couple of years ago.
His scoring record for Bradford is excellent too, just slightly worse than one goal every two games.

[ncRover]

Andy Cook is another big lump, but he's very effective! Not usually a happy hunting ground for us so be nice to get a win there and bounce back from last night. Pitch usually looks like a ploughed field as well which doesn't help our brand of football.

Hurst to come in for a start, Sharp back in as well as he's a derby type of player. Maybe Emmanuel for Sterry if fit - he's got a bit more physicality and looks decent getting forward.

Kelly looked a bit off it last few games, wasn't at it for me last night so bring in Hurst for a start behind Sharp.

TSL / Emmanuel / Olowu / McGrath / Maxwell / Bailey / Clifton / Gibson / Moly / Hurst / Sharp

For me Reg, Hurst is an out and out winger taking on full backs in 1v1s.

Playing him or Sbarra in the no.10 away at Bradford is a risk, he could easily get eaten alive.

I’ve said this before but give Gibson a go centrally! He played the majority of his games there in Carlisle’s promotion season and the stats say he was one of the best creative players in the league that year!

He’ll probably go with Clifton there as this is more of a Clifton game than Tuesday night was.

[Usher wide.]

Andy Cook is more than a big lump.
He has a very good touch, I remember him sliding a superb ball into our box to create a goal at the KM a couple of years ago.
His scoring record for Bradford is excellent too, just slightly worse than one goal every two games.

Another test for Jay who can only benefit from playing against the ‘Cooks of this game’. As you say hound, he’s certainly more than “a big lump”.

Jay has acquitted himself very well against the opposition’s No.9’s thus far, Saturday will be another busy 90+minutes for him & Joe.

[Reg of the Rovers]

Andy Cook is another big lump, but he's very effective! Not usually a happy hunting ground for us so be nice to get a win there and bounce back from last night. Pitch usually looks like a ploughed field as well which doesn't help our brand of football.

Hurst to come in for a start, Sharp back in as well as he's a derby type of player. Maybe Emmanuel for Sterry if fit - he's got a bit more physicality and looks decent getting forward.

Kelly looked a bit off it last few games, wasn't at it for me last night so bring in Hurst for a start behind Sharp.

TSL / Emmanuel / Olowu / McGrath / Maxwell / Bailey / Clifton / Gibson / Moly / Hurst / Sharp

For me Reg, Hurst is an out and out winger taking on full backs in 1v1s.

Playing him or Sbarra in the no.10 away at Bradford is a risk, he could easily get eaten alive.

I’ve said this before but give Gibson a go centrally! He played the majority of his games there in Carlisle’s promotion season and the stats say he was one of the best creative players in the league that year!

He’ll probably go with Clifton there as this is more of a Clifton game than Tuesday night was.

I agree NC - I'd just like to see him on the pitch, and you can't drop Moly or Gibson - but Gibson more central leaves space for Kyle out wide which is a great idea. Bradford are a better Bromley for me - organised and tidy and will deal with crosses in the box all day long - but they've old legs and a bit of pace and creativity is the way to beat them - we need to get at them from the start.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

I have less concern about playing away from home as we tend to do well when playing more on the break.

Up to the edge of the box we played well on Tuesday, so I haven't as many concerns defensively, other than the challenge of keeping Cooke relatively quiet. Usual set pieces and crosses to be switched on at.

You get the feeling McCanns comments post match were aimed as a kick up the arse for Ironside, Gibson maybe so let's hope it fires Ironside up with a positive reaction. Feels like he needs to be fed on raw meat and take some smelling salts before the game to get that fire back.

I think Billy's getting frustrated with the lack of quality around him when we waste good opportunities. It can work both ways  teammates either lifting their level, wanting to get better, or getting p*ssed off.

Once again, I find myself questioning Gibsons overall contribution and given Hursts positive cameo, is it worth starting him?

Moly didn't have a good night either, and he knew it. He does dig in though when not flowing so I would stick with him, but remind him, he gets some joy when he gets into more central positions.

This could easily be a repeat of the Port Vale game if we're smart enough to stick to the game plan.

[Barmby Rover]

I would stop Molyneux and Gibson from believing their own hype and get them back to being providers instead of trying to be the main striker as well and start producing the goods for the front man whether that be Billy (my choice) or Joe. We might get back to having a decent strike force then. Unless the front of the team is sorted then we will lose, simply because we can't score and might make the odd mistake at the back or have a lucky break for the opposition. I am not hopeful that can be done in 4 days, it needs a couple of weeks, then we might start firing again.

[Butchers Red]

3 - 5 -2 for me on Saturday

I would go with LM on the left, Gibbo on the right and tell them to get crosses in that are out swingers, then play both Joe and Billy together so they have decent balls to latch on to. Fair enough, swap them over now and again for 10 minutes to keep Bradford guessing but just having them both cutting in all the time just isn't working. Both of them have shown they are fit lads who can get up and down and cover when we're out of possession.  Maxwell and Sterry could come on and keep the tempo up after 70 - 80 minutes if they get a bit gassed out.

Behind the front pair I would go with Hursty who is simply on a different level to Sbarra or Clifton in the No 10 role, he gives the option to either winger of knocking it inside for him to cut in and have a shot instead of them trying to do it all. No defender likes someone like him running at them as he can go either side and has plenty of tricks in his locker.

Kelly and Clifton taking centre mid slots with both Close and Broadbent to come on and freshen things up after 70 - 75 mins if needed

Joe / Bails and McGrath as a back 3.

TSL in Goals

[ForsolongaRover]

Why does he not give Hurst a start? If he’s not a 90 minute player he can be subbed later, but an over anxiety to make an impression is not yielding fruit.

I’ve begun to like Gibson because he has now varied his play choosing a well-placed pass instead of always wanting to shoot.

Yeboah, on the other hand, does not seem to be developing as it seemed he might. You wonder sometimes whether players are following instructions or just playing their own game which in Yeboah’s case is difficult to figure out.

[scawsby steve]

I'll be there on Saturday, but I'd be lying if I said I'm really looking forward to it. They're unbeaten in 5, are at home in front of a massive crowd, and have Andy Cook.

We on the other hand have 2 misfiring strikers, a slow midfield, and full backs that can't keep crosses out.

Having said all that, I'm a lousy tipster, and a pessimist by nature, so maybe that all points to a Rovers victory. We can but hope.

[LincsRover]

I can’t disagree, I’m hoping for the best but fearing the worst. I’ll be there and will be shouting the lads on but would take a draw right now. 

[selby]

  They are now an established division 2 side earnt over five years of under achieving.  They are no better than us on the field of play despite having Cook and Pointon probably a bigger danger, and despite lots of bums on seats watching the game who don't kick a ball.
  Just go for it play our game and trust our ability that has made us the best side in the division since February and come back with the three points.

[ForsolongaRover]

I'll be there on Saturday, but I'd be lying if I said I'm really looking forward to it. They're unbeaten in 5, are at home in front of a massive crowd, and have Andy Cook.

We on the other hand have 2 misfiring strikers, a slow midfield, and full backs that can't keep crosses out.

Having said all that, I'm a lousy tipster, and a pessimist by nature, so maybe that all points to a Rovers victory. We can but hope.

I suppose they are used to the large crowds and if we do manage to score early, some will not hide their disenchantment. So it kind of neutralises everything and makes it important to go all out for a good start. Bromley upset us by going on the attack right from the start.

[Chris Black come back]

Very tough game on paper. Unbeaten at home in the league this season. Played six, won four and drawn twice. In those six games, only conceded four goals. Mixed bag of teams they have played though, with only a 2-1 win against Gillingham last week what you would call a good win. More generally, lost just once in last seven in league, like us getting turned over at Harrogate Town.

[andy didcott]

Looking forward to this today, Come on rovers let’s give em their first home defeat of the season.

[Spud]

Me too, taking the grandson for his first away day, he's 8 & he's gonna love it.

[roversdude]

Hoping for the best but not overly confident

[Campsall rover]

Take a draw but Bradford due a home defeat so here’s hoping.

What formation or players start is anyone’s gusss.

Like to see Molly start on the left & Gibson on the right.
Get crosses in from the by line which are always harder to defend.
We need to start creating a lot more opportunities for Joe or Billy or both if they start together.

Big game today against one of our main rivals. Big performance needed.

[In the box]

Confidence is lacking in front of goal !!

[Padge_DRFC]

Confidence is lacking in front of goal !!

Despite our crap conversion we're creating so much eventually one or two is going to go in

[Wild Rover]

Deserved win. Had to hang on last 10 min. But if chances had been taken DRFC could have had 5.

[Alan Southstand]

Very happy with the win, but it’s disturbing that we still are not seeing teams off. GM needs to get his sleeves rolled up.

[Reg of the Rovers]

Exactly what I was about to post Wild Rover- could / should have been well in front, but a good win at a tough place to come.

Thought Kyle was outstanding, made both goals and looks dangerous on the ball. Got to have earned his shirt.

[welloffside]

You know when you get PvO wrong and you don't mind, today was one of those!!

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Great bounce back win and an even better place to do it.

Brave selection from McCann and the players responded, so that's great character and team building.

Still work to do in the final third but we have the players and now we need to build on that belief.

I hope our travelling fans had a great time.

[Avsuptem]

Sterry had a great game too.

[Usher wide.]

Very happy with the win, but it’s disturbing that we still are not seeing teams off. GM needs to get his sleeves rolled up.

Ohh you are awfull…..but I like you!

[Campsall rover]

Big performance we got.

Still need to be more clinical because we should have been at least 3 goals up in 1st half.

That though was a team today that looked like one who could win the league.

[PDX_Rover]

Excellent performance. Bossed it for 3/4 of the game. With better decision making could have been out of sight by halftime.

Kyle Hurst needed that. Excellent second half.

Bradford were always going to have a spell. Thought we defended well. A solid team performance - everyone turned up.