Live blog: Bradford City v Oxford United

1:26pm Saturday 12th January 2013 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Simon Parker, Bradford City Reporter

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4:57pm

Bradford City 1 Oxford United 2

A late penalty condemned City to their third defeat in four league games – and they could have absolutely no complaints.
Oxford dominated at Valley Parade and were well worth their fourth win on the bounce. City never got out the traps.

Nahki Wells put the Bantams on the way after 15 minutes as he took full advantage of a defensive mix-up.
Former Leeds centre half Michael Duberry nodded the ball past his own keeper. It was going wide but Wells showed his pace to get there in time and divert home his 17th goal of the campaign.
But City’s joy evaporated within three minutes as Oxford levelled with a superb strike from Sean Rigg, blasting past Matt Duke from just outside the box.
Oxford looked lively and Duke denied them a second before half-time with a fine tip-over from Alfie Potter.
Duke saved again from Lewis Montrose after Rory McArdle was too casual in possession. And Carl McHugh came to the rescue on the line when Duke parried a Potter header.
City escaped again when Rigg’s header from a corner was tipped on to the underside of the bar.
But Oxford remained the better team and got their reward in the 89th minute. Stephen Darby tripped Potter in the box and Peter Leven smashed home the penalty.

4:56pm

Final whistle sounds and Oxford are worthy winners.

4:54pm

4:54pm

4:53pm

McHugh has ball in the Oxford net but the flag was up for offside.

4:51pm

Leven scores, roof of the net. 2-1 to Oxford

4:50pm

Oxford penalty as Darby penalised for foul on Potter.

4:47pm

And it's a yellow card for the pair of them.

4:46pm

It's going off between them again and the referee's heading that way.

4:46pm

Duberry and Connell having a bit of handbags as the Oxford defender refuses to throw the ball back for a City free-kick.

4:43pm

Crowd crank up the volume briefly, eight minutes left of normal time.

4:42pm

4:40pm

Final City substitution. Connell coming on for Wells to a few boos from crowd at losing the top scorer.

4:39pm

Jones kick goes to the far post but McHugh unable to keep it in play.

4:38pm

Another City corner.

4:37pm

It's too deep from Jones and Oxford blast the ball away. No attacking threat from the home side at all.

4:36pm

Wells pounces on slip by Batt to win a City corner. Need to do something to change the momentum.

4:35pm

Montrose lets fly from 30 yards but ball sails into TL Dallas Stand.

4:33pm

4:32pm

Crowd beginning to grow frustrated as City struggle to get into game.

4:31pm

4:28pm

Rigg meets it with header which Duke tips on to underside of bar. Another escape for City there. 

4:27pm

Handball shout against Richards ignored and Oxford have another corner.

4:27pm

Long throw by Dickson into six-yard box is missed by Gray but he's penalised for a push.

4:24pm

Double sub after 63 minutes, Reid and Turgott for Atkinson and Hines. All change on the wing

4:22pm

Duke saves again to keep out Davis. Turgott and Reid ready to come on for City who need to impose themselves on the contest.

4:21pm

4:20pm

McHugh athletically hooks off the line after Duke saves Potter header from Batt cross.

4:17pm

The Valley Parade crowd is 10,087 with 260 away fans.

4:16pm

Oxford gaining the upper hand again.

4:14pm

McArdle too casual in possession and his clearance is charged down by Montrose, whose shot is turned behind for corner by Duke.

4:11pm

4:11pm

Dangerous break from Oxford again down their left but Doyle deals with low cross.

4:09pm

Hines tries his luck but ball flies into the Kop

4:09pm

Brighter football from City, Hines looks lively and wins corner as shot is blocked.

4:06pm

Richards shapes to shoot but McHugh in with timely challenge.

4:06pm

No changes for the second half.

3:51pm

Half-time and City have got their hands full against a lively side who have not come north for a draw. Matt Duke earning his corn again just like Tuesday.

3:47pm

Oxford corner comes to nothing but City are grateful for Duke.

3:47pm

Leven carves through City with brilliant jinking run. Ball breaks to Potter and Duke makes another important save at the near post.

3:46pm

Jones takes it but Raynes heads out of penalty area and Dickson fluffs his follow-up shot.

3:45pm

Hines a bit lucky to earn a free-kick for City but it's in a good position.

3:43pm

Atkinson lets fly from 20 yards but flies over bar.

3:41pm

Jeremy Simpson is no Howard Webb. Fear the ref could have a major say in this game.

3:39pm

Leven takes it and Duke fists away two-handed for an Oxford corner.

3:38pm

Game getting feisty as Oxford win another free-kick 25 yards out.

3:37pm

Jones booked for foul on Montrose.

3:35pm

Duberry clears straight to Jones who tries his luck from 25 yards. Brown catches it above his head and City's claims that he stepped back over the line are ignored.

3:35pm

Rigg, who looks Oxford's main threat, runs diagonally towards City box but his efforts are wasted by awful cross from Davis.

3:34pm

Great determination from Jones earns free-kick for City. Hines cross is cleared from six-yard box by Duberry.

3:30pm

As the drum beats, Jones's kick is cleared away.

3:30pm

Wells wins City's first corner of the game.

3:29pm

Yellow card for Montrose for foul on Doyle.

3:26pm

3:25pm

Oxford look a threat down the left side and Hines have to do lot of tackling back, hardly his preferred game.

3:23pm

3:22pm

Can't argue with the scoreline really.

3:21pm

And Oxford are level with stunning strike from Sean Rigg from just outside the box. Duke had no chance 1-1

3:19pm

Oxford had started the game well but that won't do their confidence any good.

3:17pm

Comedy defending from Oxford as Duberry and Brown get in a mess and the centre half heads ball past his own keeper. Wells follows it in and taps home from angle.

3:16pm

1-0 to City as Wells nets his 17th goal of the season.

3:12pm

Ball bobbling up on hard pitch.

3:08pm

Thumping header by fan behind the City dug-out to nod the ball back into play!

3:08pm

Nice skills by Wells to create room for cross but Duberry clears.

3:05pm

Good save from Duke to tip over from Rigg. Great run by Davis set him up.

3:02pm

Rory McArdle has got his own chant! City's marathon man certainly earned it.

3:02pm

City kicking off towards the Bradford End.

3:00pm

Remember Andy Gray's last goal for City? It was a late penalty in a dreadful FA Cup home defeat to a Luton side two divisions below. Bryan Robson was the very angry manager at the time...

2:55pm

Luke O'Brien's name gets applauded by City fans.

2:52pm

2:43pm

2:43pm

2:25pm

Andy Gray will wear the number ten vacated by Ross Hannah. Had been lined up for 22 originally.

2:21pm

2:20pm

2:20pm

Expect Oxford to line up in a 3-4-3 formation.

2:20pm

Luke O'Brien is on the bench for his return to Valley Parade.

Oxford boss Chris Wilder, another former Bantam, makes six changes from their midweek penalties defeat to Southend in the JPT.

Midfielder Lewis Montrose, on loan from Gillingham, makes his league debut.

Oxford are unbeaten in the league since mid-November and have won their last three - two of them on the road.

OXFORD: Brown, Raynes, Duberry, Wright, Batt, Montrose, Leven, Davis, Potter, Richards, Rigg. Subs: Heslop, Capaldi, Worley, O'Brien, Parker, Craddock, Crocombe. 

 

2:02pm

Andy Gray is handed an immediate debut for City after signing an 18-month deal on Wednesday.

The former Bantam, who left Valley Parade in 2004, takes over up from James Hanson. He misses out altogether to rest an injured toe.

The other change sees on-loan Southampton left back Ryan Dickson make his first appearance. He has joined until the end of the season.

CITY: Duke, Darby, McArdle, McHugh, Dickson, Hines, Doyle, G Jones, Atkinson, Wells, Gray. Subs: Reid, Ravenhill, Connell, Good, Turgott, R Jones, McLaughlin.

1:27pm

Garry Thompson underwent a pre-match fitness test on the pitch with physio Matt Barrass.

Comments(48)

Victor Clayton says...
2:12pm Sat 12 Jan 13

come on city. let's have a right go!

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balbrigganfc says...
2:52pm Sat 12 Jan 13

Predicting City to storm away with a very positive result today against the clever clogs

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mikey1979 says...
4:07pm Sat 12 Jan 13

Andy gray has done nothing to change my opinion of him in this first half. He was hardly a goalscorer first time around. Poor connell hopefully should be on before too long

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Rambo says...
5:09pm Sat 12 Jan 13

Absolutely utterly awful. Nothing positive to take except Duke keeping us in the game for 89 minutes. Couldnt pass it more than 5 yards, long aimless hoofs, pathetic in attack. We badly missed Hanson, hope all his haters saw that.

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tingleyb says...
5:40pm Sat 12 Jan 13

does PP wish he hadn't turned down Blackpool? Or do the supporters wish he hadn't? Personally speaking this league performance simply ain't good enough . . .sort it or ship it (players or manager). League should always come first. Rant over. Lets discuss ! CTID

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cityexile says...
5:46pm Sat 12 Jan 13

.......always the bridesmaid......

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doneBD4 says...
6:09pm Sat 12 Jan 13

this team let themselves down badly today.

why pp let the players sit back for 90 min just to defend. the players didn't want to get forward at all, pointless in players even turning up.

Our quest for 50 points and safety continues.

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tyker2 says...
6:13pm Sat 12 Jan 13

shocking

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Crags says...
6:15pm Sat 12 Jan 13

This game was awful. Apart from the Wells goal no shots on goal. Their keeper had frostbite he had nothing to do. Very disappointed as that's 1 point out of 12 and 2 losses at home on the bounce in the league. This is not promotion form. It's amazing how on this form city are still amongst the playoff pack. Wake up call today as its Vale next week who have prolific Pope and now Lee Hughes, city could be 12th after that game. All those Hanson doubters should now realise the lads importance to the team. It's not just about goals but his other significant contribution in being the target man and his link up play was a big miss today. It might have been Gray's first game but he was awful and should have been replaced by Connell a lot earlier in the second half. As it was Wells tired so he had to come off later for Connell. League is priority and I hope we can get out of Div4 this season.

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parader no1 says...
6:17pm Sat 12 Jan 13

Awful, enough said. Leage form attrocious

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Freddy says...
6:17pm Sat 12 Jan 13

*
I am beginning to wonder if City have become a " Cup Team"--only motivated by Cup Matches etc.
What further troubles me is that past footy history shows Cup Teams that do well in Cups. Do not achieve promotion in the league. Indeed, some have even been relegated, although doing extremely well in Cup Competitions.
I really do want the Cup Matches over and done with. The League achievement being now a TOP PRIORITY.
**

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ALEXIMO.56. says...
6:20pm Sat 12 Jan 13

To TingleyB. Why is it Parky's fault? It's the players performance that was awful. I wasn't right pleased when Gray had signed for us, but I'm reserving judgement on him and giving him time to bed in with the rest of the team. In my opinion Turgott & Reid should have both started the 2nd half to give the more width to give Gray the service. Yep, it's a big come down from Tuesday's game but still only 4pts off 3rd promotion spot and plenty of games left. I along with the rest of you guys just can't understand why we cant take our cup form into the league games. Is it 4pts in the last 5 Lg games? for me, just not good enough. But we are still having a fantastic season and yes, we now need to seriously start winning our Lg. games.

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macca1969 says...
6:35pm Sat 12 Jan 13

Hanson wouldn't have made a dot of difference today. Not one if the players could pass the ball five yards so what difference could James have made. Van Persie wouldn't have made a difference today. The distribution from the back was poor,the midfield Doyle especially was very poor. I'm not blaming the players it was just obvious that Tuesday took a lot out of them.

I said after last weekend the cup was a distraction that could derail the promotion push. I was shouted down and told the semi final was more important as a once in a lifetime event. Well this is the result a tired display from a team that left everything on the pitch Tuesday night. Who can say they were honestly surprised today.

As someone said to me the other day we always have next season to push for promotion should it all go wrong, so buckle up its going yo be a bumpy ride

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al&co says...
6:40pm Sat 12 Jan 13

Very disappointing but after our superb effort against Villa it soon became evident today that the sucess in midweek had taken its toll.

Oxford were much better than us on the day and but for Duke we would have lost heavily. January is going to be tough for us.

It has been difficult to maintain our outstanding cup form in the league and I fear it will continue to be so until the cup challenges are over. We are one game away from Wembley and whatever anyone says it is bound to be a huge distraction as our league form tends to indicate.

I know we are slipping down the league table but we are still thereabouts and if we can stay in touch with the promotion places as we pursue cup glory, I believe with players coming back and a couple of sensible additions to the squad, we will come again in the league and finish strongly.

I'm just as frustrated as all true fans on here but I think we'll come through it - difficult - yes - but promotion is still very achievable. We'll need to be patient and not get negative.

This season has already been memorable but I honestly believe there's more to come and our support will play a crucial part in ensuring that we achieve our promotion goal...

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macca1969 says...
6:55pm Sat 12 Jan 13

al&co wrote:
Very disappointing but after our superb effort against Villa it soon became evident today that the sucess in midweek had taken its toll.

Oxford were much better than us on the day and but for Duke we would have lost heavily. January is going to be tough for us.

It has been difficult to maintain our outstanding cup form in the league and I fear it will continue to be so until the cup challenges are over. We are one game away from Wembley and whatever anyone says it is bound to be a huge distraction as our league form tends to indicate.

I know we are slipping down the league table but we are still thereabouts and if we can stay in touch with the promotion places as we pursue cup glory, I believe with players coming back and a couple of sensible additions to the squad, we will come again in the league and finish strongly.

I'm just as frustrated as all true fans on here but I think we'll come through it - difficult - yes - but promotion is still very achievable. We'll need to be patient and not get negative.

This season has already been memorable but I honestly believe there's more to come and our support will play a crucial part in ensuring that we achieve our promotion goal...
Spot on that and our support will be crucial I agree with. So with that in mind all those d!cks that booed can fcuk right off and stay away from any potential Wembley match or villa park. Idiots some they really are

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Pablo says...
7:04pm Sat 12 Jan 13

Whilst not surprised that there would be an element of "after the Lord Mayors show" about today's performance, it was still a shock to see how badly we played. It's hard to be critical though as the players would have been mentally and physically drained after Tuesday.

I'm never a fan of pitching new signings straight into the team, only a day after signing, although fully understand PP's hand was forced by Hanson's injury. Curtis Good played beyond his years on Tuesday and, to my mind, fully deserved to start today. To say Dickson looked rusty is an understatement.

But, as I've said, I can forgive this performance after the super show against Villa.

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derrie-t- says...
7:05pm Sat 12 Jan 13

some real cretins on this board isnt there, 'ship the players or manager out' okay so our league form has dipped but we're still in contention for promotion, and in line for two wembley finals, agree it will take a big push to make those finals a certainty but still how much do you want? top of the league never lose a game and to win the jpt,F.A and the league cup? get a grip,the poor league form will improve and im confident of play-offs hate using these phrases but..in parky we trust.

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gary turner says...
8:01pm Sat 12 Jan 13

disappointing to lose yes but to lose and not play good football is a lot more disappointing. It must have been murder to sit through for the fans and management. I cant see where playing on Tues can effect the players form, these guys are super fit are'nt they? Its a bad patch that hopefully will pass soon,good football is the key, come on City.

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Cityman23 says...
8:12pm Sat 12 Jan 13

This was a disappointing performance with a bad final result but we must not lose heart. 'PP'/his players ARE a good team/squad and we WILL get over this and improve in future Lge Two games.

It has to be said that 'success' (League Cup)as well as being 'good' also has its less 'welcome' ramifications:

a) Other Lge Two teams want to 'show us'/knock us off our 'perch'. Oxford were certainly well 'up' for this particular game and the Bantams who looked jaded were under pressure throughout the game.

b) City supporters' expectations have gone up. The disgruntlement/anger from the stands was loud/clear and the frustrations of those who think, because we've been successful against Arsenal/Villa we should be able to 'brush aside' teams like OU makes it HARDER for Ciy in Lge Two games.

c) After the applause gven to 'PP' when he entered the technical area, an hour later, people were complaining about non-substitutions/an
d later the 'actual' substitutions! On this site some even have turned against certain players/'PP. (this has got to be crazy!!')

Andy Gray had a 'quiet' debut but not a bad one. Ryan Dickson, I thought did reasonably well. We 'must' give them a few games to fit in.

We certainly missed the height/heading power of James Hansen. Kyle Reid is not yet back to his best and also needs games. It was a below-par effort by most players (bar Duke) but IS excusable...in the circumstances!!

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Deacs says...
8:44pm Sat 12 Jan 13

Yes our league form is going through abit of a bad patch but come on people lets not go overboard. Normally I would agree the league is more important than cup games but we are in the semi-final of a cup with a real chance of getting to the final. All this extra revenue will benefit us in the long run and I wouldnt change anything at the moment. CTID

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Deacs says...
8:54pm Sat 12 Jan 13

derrie-t- wrote:
some real cretins on this board isnt there, 'ship the players or manager out' okay so our league form has dipped but we're still in contention for promotion, and in line for two wembley finals, agree it will take a big push to make those finals a certainty but still how much do you want? top of the league never lose a game and to win the jpt,F.A and the league cup? get a grip,the poor league form will improve and im confident of play-offs hate using these phrases but..in parky we trust.
spot on Derrie-t

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bcfc1903 says...
10:10pm Sat 12 Jan 13

Obviously Hanson was a massive miss...we got bullied up front..no ifs no buts...you just can't put a price on Hansons head as he's what makes our team click. It's an absolute priority to get a like for like striker in. I'm a big fan of Andy Gray but he wont cut it as an out and out target man...he's more a Connel sort of player. I'd be looking at Akinfenwa...but i'm no football manager...i'm sure there are other players that fit the bill. One more player and that would be it...we don't need to upset the team spirit and there is no panic...what will be.. will be.

**

We shout with pride....We'll never hide....Claret and Amber.

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bcfc1903 says...
11:23pm Sat 12 Jan 13

Would love to know the stats on the substitution of Wells and how many times we've lost points after such a substitution...if my memory is correct...it's a frightening amount...Phil is a fantastic manager but he needs to look at that stat. For me unless he was injured..i'd always keep him on as he stops the opposition pushing up.

**

We shout with pride...We'll never hide...Claret and Amber!!!!

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northampton yellow says...
11:28pm Sat 12 Jan 13

been up to your place 2day and i think you have 2 give us a lot of credit 2day most of the game i thought we were the home side with all the chances we had we had enough chances to win 3 games if it wasnt for duke he had a cracking game 2day and i watched your game the other nite vs villa and again he made your result was was a good advert for our league . in october when you lot won 2-0 at our place we couldnt hit a barn door losing week after week we were asking for wilder to be sacked laying in 20th spot god knows how many points of play-offs getting bood off all the time even at half-times all the injuries we had then the players started to come back then we played northampton where we won 2-1 and havnt lost scince 6wins and 3 draws in last 9 and 2days result was 4 wins on the trot and look at us now 2pts of play-off and only 5 points of automatic thats football like you hope we both meet our aim and thats league 1 but good luck at villa league 2 and proud

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Victor Clayton says...
11:33pm Sat 12 Jan 13

northampton yellow wrote:
been up to your place 2day and i think you have 2 give us a lot of credit 2day most of the game i thought we were the home side with all the chances we had we had enough chances to win 3 games if it wasnt for duke he had a cracking game 2day and i watched your game the other nite vs villa and again he made your result was was a good advert for our league . in october when you lot won 2-0 at our place we couldnt hit a barn door losing week after week we were asking for wilder to be sacked laying in 20th spot god knows how many points of play-offs getting bood off all the time even at half-times all the injuries we had then the players started to come back then we played northampton where we won 2-1 and havnt lost scince 6wins and 3 draws in last 9 and 2days result was 4 wins on the trot and look at us now 2pts of play-off and only 5 points of automatic thats football like you hope we both meet our aim and thats league 1 but good luck at villa league 2 and proud
I thought you were a very good team.

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Victor Clayton says...
11:44pm Sat 12 Jan 13

bcfc1903 wrote:
Would love to know the stats on the substitution of Wells and how many times we've lost points after such a substitution...if my memory is correct...it's a frightening amount...Phil is a fantastic manager but he needs to look at that stat. For me unless he was injured..i'd always keep him on as he stops the opposition pushing up.

**

We shout with pride...We'll never hide...Claret and Amber!!!!
I was a bit surprised that wells came off instead of gray . maybe he was knackered, but it left us without height or pace .ok, early days but though Gray was disappointing, was expecting a lot of clever movement. Connell must be wondering what he has to do to get some decent time on the pitch . imo he looked the pick and he is fresh!

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bcfc1903 says...
1:42am Sun 13 Jan 13

Regarding Wells.....don't think he was knackered....he put a shift in but like i said even taking your point as a fact..they would not have pushed up if Wells had stayed on...after all knackered or not he would have had the pace to out strip Oxfords slow central defenders...it's a mental game...their defenders new Wells had them for pace...keep him on and they don't push up as much...it's costing us...how many points i do not know but it's enough to be a serious worry.

**

We shout with pride...We'll never hide....Claret and Amber!!!!

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Bradford1903 says...
2:18am Sun 13 Jan 13

If anyone doubted the affect our cup exploits are having on our league campaign, it was all in evidence today, the players looked physically and mentally drained, and it was a very poor performance.

Parky said he was convinced that Darby got the ball, but I don't understand why a defender has to slide in, risking giving away a penalty, when the forward is always going to go down easily, and there was still a lot to do for the ball to end up in the net.

Surprised that we didn't bring in another big man up front, because in Hanson's absence, we had nobody to hold the ball up and win the headers, meaning it just comes straight back, and we've spent most of the 2nd half chasing shadows as a result. If Gray is going to play as the target man, then we are going to have to get the ball into feet more.

With most of the other results going for us, it was not a disaster, but just like Barnet, Morecambe, Rochdale and Southend, it was another opportunity missed.

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tingleyb says...
8:19am Sun 13 Jan 13

Deacs wrote:
derrie-t- wrote:
some real cretins on this board isnt there, 'ship the players or manager out' okay so our league form has dipped but we're still in contention for promotion, and in line for two wembley finals, agree it will take a big push to make those finals a certainty but still how much do you want? top of the league never lose a game and to win the jpt,F.A and the league cup? get a grip,the poor league form will improve and im confident of play-offs hate using these phrases but..in parky we trust.
spot on Derrie-t
I agree there are some cretins on this board - I read comments on here week in and week out. As a supporter since 1983 I have as much right as anyone to comment. I rarely comment as most weeks others make my comments for me. I feel recent form is unacceptable and promotion should be the main goal. There are players in the team who can only play on the big occasion and are hugely inconsisten - itst he skill of the manager to manage this to our advantage. As I said in my post earlier. Rant over, discuss and you all have - well done. CTID

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gary turner says...
8:31am Sun 13 Jan 13

as for Parky not talking to Blackpool and not interested, Brendan Rodgers told Liverpool the same story and what happened? City could have already tied Parky to a long contract which would have had to have been "bought out" by Liverpool. He can go now with no compo for City. I only hope he is more sincere than Mr Rodgers.
As for the loss against Oxford, they have been a form team for a couple of months now and look who Barnet beat this week, Rotherham no less away from home again so maybe our loss last week was not against form.

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BigFigure says...
10:20am Sun 13 Jan 13

balbrigganfc wrote:
Predicting City to storm away with a very positive result today against the clever clogs
"Nobody makes predictions like me....NOBODY!" :)

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bigang02 says...
10:25am Sun 13 Jan 13

very very poor game.the subs were wrong saturday.what does connell have to do to start a match.he should have started with wells.and good should have started too.the new players should have started on the bench why change a winning side .i know hanson had bad toe so play connell then.very very poor performance you would have thought the players would have been buzzing aft tues but they just looked knackered.

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yorkiebantam says...
10:54am Sun 13 Jan 13

This board is so full of the good and bad of City fans. We have no right to win every game as wev are BCFC we have to turn up and when the players dont its not the fault of PP.
We judge new players after 1 game 1 training session and acuse them of not being good enough. We had 10 players out there that didnt look good enough but it was just one game Duke was the only player worth his money. Was any new player going to come into that game and shine.
We were tired I want these cup games over and done with I would swap auto promotion for the league cup final even now.
But we are not out of the league yet we are still one of the best squads and we must keep the faith, shame on every city fan that booed at the end of the game yesterday.
And a fnal point someone said we missed Hanson for his headers and hlding up the ball. Sorry mate I am a Hanson fan but he isnt a hold the ball player.

CTID. Keep the faith

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rattusrattus says...
11:09am Sun 13 Jan 13

Some ridiculous comments on here! People need to stay calm,we are having a blip at the moment like alot of the other teams around us.We have made so much progress since last season and people need to remember that! Let's stay POSITIVE!

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flashman says...
12:20pm Sun 13 Jan 13

All can see the league form is dipping because of the cup and the number of games the team are just knackered. Agree with BCFC 1903 we need to get someone in who can score goals in this league. I don't think Gray was the answer. Like I said on a previous thread the chairmen will have to put their hands in their pockets (again) use the money from the Cup run and BUY a player ! Akinfenwa may be the answer.

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claret or green ? says...
1:12pm Sun 13 Jan 13

Yes, perhaps the midweek effort against Villa took it out of them, mentally & physically. Perhaps PP should look at freshening things up just after the cup games with the McLoughlin's, Ravenhill's, Ritchies Jones & even Scott Brown's. They should all be good enough & will be needed in the run in. City may have enough in their locker & tank for 2 more massive cup efforts, 5 if they want another Wembley trip & then come March, concerntrate solely on the league & perhaps achieve another semi-final come May, see where it takes them. If promotion isn't achieved come May, a possible 3 Wembley trips would be an amazing achievement & leave the finances in rude health for getting it right in the league next time around !

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lonniejockstrap says...
1:27pm Sun 13 Jan 13

yorkiebantam wrote:
This board is so full of the good and bad of City fans. We have no right to win every game as wev are BCFC we have to turn up and when the players dont its not the fault of PP.
We judge new players after 1 game 1 training session and acuse them of not being good enough. We had 10 players out there that didnt look good enough but it was just one game Duke was the only player worth his money. Was any new player going to come into that game and shine.
We were tired I want these cup games over and done with I would swap auto promotion for the league cup final even now.
But we are not out of the league yet we are still one of the best squads and we must keep the faith, shame on every city fan that booed at the end of the game yesterday.
And a fnal point someone said we missed Hanson for his headers and hlding up the ball. Sorry mate I am a Hanson fan but he isnt a hold the ball player.

CTID. Keep the faith
To be fair to Hanson, how many players in the world can hold the ball up when passed to him 2 ft above his head?

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bcfc1903 says...
2:16pm Sun 13 Jan 13

I'd be looking at the Villa Park game as the priority...rest as many as possible in the next two games with that game and it's starting eleven in mind...we have a chance of making history...we can still be competitive in the next two games even if we rest Hanson, Wells, Gary Jones, Duke, McArdle and Doyle...lets have a real go at Villa Park and try and make history...how big would it be if BCFC did manage to progess...not since 1911...in a major cup final....lets really go for it at Villa Park....leave nothing on the pitch and the fans must shout til their throats hurt...


**

We shout with pride...we'll never hide...Claret and Amber!!!!!!

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Victor Clayton says...
4:56pm Sun 13 Jan 13

bcfc1903 wrote:
I'd be looking at the Villa Park game as the priority...rest as many as possible in the next two games with that game and it's starting eleven in mind...we have a chance of making history...we can still be competitive in the next two games even if we rest Hanson, Wells, Gary Jones, Duke, McArdle and Doyle...lets have a real go at Villa Park and try and make history...how big would it be if BCFC did manage to progess...not since 1911...in a major cup final....lets really go for it at Villa Park....leave nothing on the pitch and the fans must shout til their throats hurt...


**

We shout with pride...we'll never hide...Claret and Amber!!!!!!
I agree. we are so close!

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Bradford1903 says...
8:26pm Sun 13 Jan 13

It depends what you class as holding the ball up Yorkiebantam. I define it as someone who ensures the ball doesn't come straight back, so the flick ons that Hanson does for Wells to run onto, I would put in that category. Sometimes it might only win us a throw, but it allows us to retain possession, and push further up the pitch.

Hanson is never going to be a link up man who brings others into play, but is someone who won't get shrugged off the ball easily and will allow us to retain possession.

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Deacs says...
8:34pm Sun 13 Jan 13

Victor Clayton wrote:
bcfc1903 wrote:
I'd be looking at the Villa Park game as the priority...rest as many as possible in the next two games with that game and it's starting eleven in mind...we have a chance of making history...we can still be competitive in the next two games even if we rest Hanson, Wells, Gary Jones, Duke, McArdle and Doyle...lets have a real go at Villa Park and try and make history...how big would it be if BCFC did manage to progess...not since 1911...in a major cup final....lets really go for it at Villa Park....leave nothing on the pitch and the fans must shout til their throats hurt...


**

We shout with pride...we'll never hide...Claret and Amber!!!!!!
I agree. we are so close!
couldnt agree more. We have a real opportunity to get to the final. This will not happen again in most of our life times. League promotion opportunities happen every year. The revenue City are / can generate will see us get out of this league this season or next season. Come on CITY make our dreams come true and get to Wembley. A day we will never forget

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bullsforever says...
10:46pm Sun 13 Jan 13

Where were all the glory hunting fans for this game ? what a pathetic lot.

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dannbradfc says...
10:47pm Sun 13 Jan 13

Firstly Oxford deserved to win regardless of a poor referee and any tiredness from our recent exploits. They played both the physical game very well and passed and used the ball well whne moving forward. They also came to have a go even with their 352 formation.

Some of our players looked out of sorts. Doyle whi usually tremendous was one of those and Atkinson was alot less involved than of late. Duke basically prevented a bigger defeat.

However despite some of the players not looking their usual selfs this was in part to the way Oxford set-up. Everyone onhere knows i'm an advocate of 442. Our 442 does though err on the side of caution. I've constantly stated how if you nullify our wide players then we will struggle and chances become few. Thats what Oxford did with a fluid 352. Rochdale previously also sussed us out and whats apparent is we need a plan B when teams do this. We stuck in both those games to the same system throughout and swapped like for like even when it was clear that the opposition were on top. We weren't hitting the channels as we should to make their attacking full backs become a 5. part of this was that there was only Nakhi offering this option.

I mentioned i wasn't over-joyed with the return of Gray and although its only 1 game, he's actually got less mobile than when he was here last. He was very static and offered no movement, chossing instead to 'mark-himself' by backing into the centre-half. The team then played too many long balls whereby he was out-muscled and barely jumped for headers. This played into their hands. Whats better to turn duberry and his mates or to enter into an arm-wrestle? Nahki usually has Hanson helping out on the chasing down/and harrasing. Hanson also offers flick-on's which is what Nahki needs.

A tree could've marked Gray on Saturday:-). Seriously we don't need a striker to merely hold the ball up 'cos we don't have an attacking midfielder. Nahki needs it behind or in the channels so why do we need Gray attempting to hold up the ball with his back to goal?

I agree that service was nullified to a degree but we played our part in making this so. Gray dint have a shot or header all game thus we limit even more than usual our chances of goals.

We need to be able to change a game when our usual system int working. Ritchie Jones would have offered some mobility i feel and whilst the first substitutions made sense, although keeping the system didn't the 2nd e.g. taking off Nahki made none at all as we had then conceded all pace and mobility, which was the only thing that had scared them and made them uncomfortable all game. Why not put Hines up front with Nahki and try to turn them? Atleast do something other than allow them to be comfortable. Match their system or try 433 for 15 mins to see if it makes any difference? I just feel that in recent home games we may have been sussed out e.g. Rochdale basically forced us to stop sitting deep if we wanted to see the ball and Oxford put our full backs into defensive mode.

Overall we were barely recognisable fro the team that beat Villa. Even Hanson (although he was badly missed imo) didn't make such a difference. Parkinson's done well obviously but he is currently been challenged as teams have worked out what we do and are arriving at the valley with clear plans that are currently working. A plan b is required.......

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dannbradfc says...
10:54pm Sun 13 Jan 13

bullsforever wrote:
Where were all the glory hunting fans for this game ? what a pathetic lot.
do you get to chicago alot? ;-)

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doubledigiter says...
11:23pm Sun 13 Jan 13

I have to agree with both Deacs on his above post on the possibility of going to Wembley and Dannbradfc on his assessment of yesterdays game. Firstly with regards to Deacs comments about the cup. Spot on. Promotion chnces are a realistic possibility every season so there's potentially many, many times in our lifetime when we're likely to be able to enjoy the success of a promotion. However being in a semi final and possibly a final of 1 of the 2 major cup competitions this country has to offer really is a once in a lifetime occassion for a club like ours and so we have to embrace it and stop worrying and to an extent complaining about it affecting our league form. If it does affect our league form then so what? There will be another league season next season. As for the game yesterday. As I said I have to agree with Dannbradfc's assessment that it was partly down to a poor performance from the players and partly due to the system Oxford employed. They pushed our wide players back and this meant we carried no attacking threat at all. Added to this the fact we missed Hanson and also Meredith which I dont think anyone has mentioned. The only thing that does concern me slightly however is another thing I have to agree with Dannbradfc on. When other teams have sussed us out such as Rochdale and Oxford we have no plan b and surely if we can recognise that then the manager should be able to suss this out too?

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bcfc1903 says...
11:29am Mon 14 Jan 13

There is an old old saying and it goes like this 'don't die wondering'...and that is what BCFC and it's fans must not do regarding the second leg of the Capital One Cup....the players must leave everything on the pitch and the 6,350 BCFC fans must give everything supporting the players....shout til your throat hurts...then shout louder. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for our club...give everything and you never know..we may be playing in our first major cup final since 1911.

**

We shout with pride...we'll never hide...Claret and Amber!!!!!!

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Prisoner Cell Block A says...
12:36pm Mon 14 Jan 13

We have a noddy match and league game prior to anything else, bin the noddy match, batter Port Vale then worry about the CCO cup. Until next Sunday all talk should be banned.

We may never get the chance again but unless we get promotion we may never see players like Andy Davies, Kyel Reid, Rory McArdle dropping into this low division. A previous season cup final has now pulling power.

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Prisoner Cell Block A says...
2:06pm Mon 14 Jan 13

no*

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