Let's talk about the Everton u21s game and the Bradford City game

[selby]

  The second game this week in the triple home game run is against a team we are now regular cup adversaries with at both first team and u21s level unfortunately at home and not their new state of the art stadium that looks absolutely fantastic that a lot of our supporters would have been pleased to visit for the first time.
  Their u21s play in the premier league 2  starting off with a 1-0 win against Blackburn and losing 3-4 to Fulham in their second game, and lost 2-1 to Norwich in their last game. They of course can be strengthened by including older players for game time and will be no push overs whatever team they turn out, and look like a big club slowly getting their act together.
  The squad published has quite a number young 18 year old first year pros in it so results in their competition will not be their main requirement, bringing players through more of a ambition and no doubt a number of older players out on loan.
   So interesting, not everyone's cup of tea, but to be honest the competition with the FA cup that kept the interest of our supporters right to the February upturn in league performances last season.
  It's a chance for minutes for fringe players of ours, and with our big squad staying in the competition could be very important as the season progresses for match readiness and needs to be treated with respect.
   The big game however that will overshadow it is the game against Bradford City who will come here next Saturday seeking revenge for the way we gave them a couple of drubbings and upset them and the Yorkshire Post correspondent by actually becoming Champions on the last day of the season.
   So the contest resumes once again next weekend with the old saying they have never lost until the game is won ringing in both clubs ears this game a long way off the end result but no less important. its already a top of the early table clash with Bradford, Barnsley, Doncaster and Huddersfield making up the four at present play off positions imagine the interest locally that would generate next April and May if it stayed like that, half the county wouldn't talk to the other for weeks.
  Both sides have added to their squads from last season Billy Pointon at Bradford and Bailey for us the poster boys for both sides Pointon the star of their very good u18s side just a few years ago.
  A lot on the game and hopefully the occasion like last season gets to the Bradford side and they once again implode against us again and lose their heads.
  Joe Wright will most likely start for them after his holiday in Scotland after leaving us and I expect a much tougher challenge than yesterday both Physically and ability wise and a chance of Brad Halliday also retuning to his old stamping ground.
  Not an easy result to call, hopefully we will get a result but will really have to be on it from the off, be defensively tight, and play the game not the occasion, and stick to doing what we do well.
  What are your thoughts? will we make changes? will Molly be fit? Could we see the new striker? will we have lost anyone? what team would you pick? lots to talk about Lots to discuss about both games can someone play that well Tuesday to force his way into the managers thoughts? please have your say

[mpc123]

Chance to utilise the large squad everyone is moaning about.

It's a great set up we have and that squad used for the Everton game again will give us the freshness for a starting 11 and also keep the others match fit.


Bradford.... yet another cracking tough game

[IDM]

I’m not fussed about the cup game so great for the squad players to get some action.  As for Bradford, I expect that will be a tough encounter, and I for one will be content with a fighting draw to maintain 2ppg.   

[scawsby steve]

Surely GM will give Olusanya a runout on Tuesday to get him up and running.

Let's just hope Luke is fit for Saturday.

[selby]

  On Tuesday I would have thought that Lawlor, Grehan, McGrath, Ironside, Close, Sbarra, Westbrooke, Crew, Ajayi, Hanlon, along with Olusanya could all do with game time and be considered if still here after the close of the transfer window at 7 pm tomorrow evening, and is not a bad core of a side with one or two additions especially a couple of full backs.

[drfcbenny625]

With the strength in depth we have we should really be looking at winning the old JPT this year.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Maybe Sterry too gets a run out in his mask. 

I wonder if McCann might also use the opportunity v Everton to try 5 at the back at some point as I don't think we've seen much of it yet and maybe try two up top with Hanlon or Ironside with Mr T.

Bradford seem to have stepped up a bit since last season, although they were gifted the winner on Saturday. Another team who heavily bombard the box with crosses, picking up more than their fair share of second balls too. They're going to be a handful bit surely, we can't let Joe Wright and Brad Haliday get one over us?. Hopefully, we can exploit their defensive weaknesses. We can't afford to give them too many free hits with cheap free kicks.

I'm glad we get both games against them out of the way very quickly. 

[les@donr]

Will Sterry be the beauty or the beast?

[Chris Black come back]

Bradford are in very good form. They have this season beaten both Blackburn and Stoke away in the League Cup, and Stockport away in the league. Of their 6 league games this season they have won 4 and drawn 2, and remain unbeaten this season. They do concede though and have managed only a single clean sheet, against Northampton Town. Would suspect this is going to be a very tough game for us, on form at least.

[drfchound]

Bradford are in very good form. They have this season beaten both Blackburn and Stoke away in the League Cup, and Stockport away in the league. Of their 6 league games this season they have won 4 and drawn 2, and remain unbeaten this season. They do concede though and have managed only a single clean sheet, against Northampton Town. Would suspect this is going to be a very tough game for us, on form at least.

All runs come to an end.

[graingrover]

Our fans just need to make more noise on the East and West flanks to counter the Bradford North Bank .

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Just noticed, due to the international break for some teams, should we win on Saturday, we will be joint top of the league!!

[steve@dcfd]

  On Tuesday I would have thought that Lawlor, Grehan, McGrath, Ironside, Close, Sbarra, Westbrooke, Crew, Ajayi, Hanlon, along with Olusanya could all do with game time and be considered if still here after the close of the transfer window at 7 pm tomorrow evening, and is not a bad core of a side with one or two additions especially a couple of full backs.

Grehan and Crew won’t be available on Tuesday as their games internationally are 4th September

[steve@dcfd]

  On Tuesday I would have thought that Lawlor, Grehan, McGrath, Ironside, Close, Sbarra, Westbrooke, Crew, Ajayi, Hanlon, along with Olusanya could all do with game time and be considered if still here after the close of the transfer window at 7 pm tomorrow evening, and is not a bad core of a side with one or two additions especially a couple of full backs.

                Lawlor

Sterry    ??CH.   McGrath Senior

            Close Westbrooke

                    Sbarra

Ajayi.           Ironside        Gibson

Unless any of Westbrooke Ironside or Sbarra leave today

Also Hanlan and will Olusanya be available
Also any young professionals to be added

[Alan Southstand]

There’s Williams, Flint, Hurst, Sam S-B all out on loan to non league clubs?

[steve@dcfd]

There’s Williams, Flint, Hurst, Sam S-B all out on loan to non league clubs?

Gateshead play on Wednesday Peterborough Sports play Tuesday Flint Hurst SSB wont be available I’m not sure they can though they are not short term loans

[Stewmaiden79]

Just watched Cliffs pre game interview for the Everton u21 game. Talking about recruitment, staff and the club building for the future and not just the short term. It really gives a good vibe and assurance that the club is in a good place at the moment. Long May it continue .

[tingleyrover]

I’d be starting Hanlan against Everton U21s. Once he scores and breaks that duck, I think the confidence will flow and the goals will follow.

[Chris Black come back]

Lawlor

Sterry
Grehan
McGrath
Senior

Close
Westbrooke
Sbarra

Ajayi
Hanlan
Middleton

[steve@dcfd]

Lawlor

Sterry
Grehan
McGrath
Senior

Close
Westbrooke
Sbarra

Ajayi
Hanlan
Middleton

Chris Grehan can’t play as he is in U21 Ireland squad that play Thursday so we will have play either ORiordon or Pearson or a young CH

[Chris Black come back]

That's a good point! Probably Pearson you would imagine then.

[selby]

  Some of them who will play have been known to be players we would let out on loan or even a permanent transfer for three or four transfer windows.
   Makes you wonder why?

[drfcsteve]

Is Westbrooke fit? Can’t work out what’s going on with him. Not made any squad so far this season?

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Is Westbrooke fit? Can’t work out what’s going on with him. Not made any squad so far this season?

I think he's been on the bench once or twice.

[IDM]

He has, and we may need him should we progress in this competition, suffer injuries, suspensions etc..

There’s no point having a squad of only 20 players where they all get in the squad regularly.

[steve@dcfd]

We are presently in three competitions therefore with 2monthly international breaks and injuries and suspensions we need the squad we have if we want to rest players. Westbrooke and Sbarra and probably Close won’t get many games along with defenders but we need the squad. Only extras are recalling the loan players or getting free agents.
Lincoln have just signed 4 players in the last 2 days. Bradford signed 2 we need the squad let’s get use to it.

[drfcsteve]

Is Westbrooke fit? Can’t work out what’s going on with him. Not made any squad so far this season?

I think he's been on the bench once or twice.

You would assume (given he’s still here) he must be in Grant’s plans at some point? Unless Grant wanted to move him on but couldn’t. Just his lack of minutes seems odd especially when we’re clearly playing a second/different team in the league cup.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Is Westbrooke fit? Can’t work out what’s going on with him. Not made any squad so far this season?

I think he's been on the bench once or twice.

You would assume (given he’s still here) he must be in Grant’s plans at some point? Unless Grant wanted to move him on but couldn’t. Just his lack of minutes seems odd especially when we’re clearly playing a second/different team in the league cup.

He's versatile. He can play in every midfield position including the anchor role currently occupied by Broadbent. He even played full back last season in a match. He contributed to those two vital wins v Bradford and Notts Co, when he nearly put the icing on the cake when put through on goal with a great run from the half way line.

With Gotts currently out, I guess he's nearer the first XI with Close and Sbarra depending how McCann sees each game.

[rich1471]

Was just looking at the odds to win the cup we are 40/1 with are strength in depth they seem quite good odds

[selby]

  Everything the FA can do to get the Lutons, Plymouth,  Bradford etc to the final will be done.