We can Devon-itely still make play-offs says Bradford City boss (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

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“We’ve got two long journeys but that’s part and parcel (of football).

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To remain in the area for this week and the Two Away Matches; is I suppose too expensive. But it would engender further team bonding. Training on /in a different place. Plus in this inclement weather; travelling to and fro is not a prospect to relish.
Both matches may become victims of the bad weather.
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I agree with 'Parky'. City can do it. Let everyone get positive.
WE CAN--AND WE WILL !!.
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We have had a Never say Die attitude for a while but this seems to have wilted a little bit. Perhaps as Freddy commented yesterday,
Play Robbie Williams --" Different" to All The Squad. Listen closely to the lyrics?.!
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Get optimistic, get positive, get behind the Team that is played. That's your job as Supporters !!.
We culd maybe play Cliff Richard song NEVER SAY DIE. take out the love song bits just the lyrics below. If we played Cliff to them before the game and at half time we would have them running out of the dressing room onto the pitch to get away from Cliff
Don't feel so bad You can always try again So don't hide, go seek Don't let the grass grow under your feet Get out, get up, get on, get moving out Don't surrender don't give up the fight
You give a little bit more If you want it back, it's a full attack You give a little bit more And if you wanna win you don't give in you
Give a little bit more When you think you're through What you gotta do is Give a little bit more

In the past the team have stayed down there if they have a Saturday and Tuesday match and stay at Lawns hotel in Torquay.

Looks like Lawn has pulled the plug on this season already. It's understandable with only £2.5m in the bank !!!!

agree with parkys comments and lets hope Gillingham beat Exeter tomorrow and we beat Plymouth then we really are back in the hunt
COME ON CITY

Not if we stick with Wells upfront we won't. The Hanson, Thommo & Connell combination looked fairly good for the short time it was used!!

Wells is just not in form at the minute and needs to be dropped.

Parky needs to start trying new things. All it's becoming is bang it up to hanson he wins the header & no one is within 10 yards of him for the touch down!!!

optimistic hogwash from Parky.

The players are capable of going and getting two wins only if they are given more freedom on the pitch.

How many times have we seen the full backs getting t the bye line with others then flooding then box with players. unless we start scoring goals we are destined to languish exactly where we finished last season. Mid table obscurity yet again.

silverbantam wrote:
In the past the team have stayed down there if they have a Saturday and Tuesday match and stay at Lawns hotel in Torquay. Looks like Lawn has pulled the plug on this season already. It's understandable with only £2.5m in the bank !!!!

Yes, but apparently the 'hotel' is not up to scratch. What * is it? One? two?

Plastic Bantam wrote:
Not if we stick with Wells upfront we won't. The Hanson, Thommo & Connell combination looked fairly good for the short time it was used!! Wells is just not in form at the minute and needs to be dropped. Parky needs to start trying new things. All it's becoming is bang it up to hanson he wins the header & no one is within 10 yards of him for the touch down!!!

Nahki has already been rested e.g. Port Vale or hadn't you noticed?

I live down in the S West, I cant make Plymouth, i can make Exeter. This club has a faithful following and the fans deserve better results, theres no point in "deserving" to win, and getting a last minute equaliser. 6 points from the next 2 games is a MUST, there will be plenty of support for the team on these 2 games. Whilst we may need help from other sources in order to achieve 6 or 7th place, this club should be big enough to achieve on its own. I dont know where some of the fans get their money, but a faithful group of people should be rewarded for their passion and commitment, there were no rewards at Wembley. come on Mr P and Mr L...reward the fans-WIN, built a winning team that sends fear into other teams

tyker2 wrote:
optimistic hogwash from Parky. The players are capable of going and getting two wins only if they are given more freedom on the pitch. How many times have we seen the full backs getting t the bye line with others then flooding then box with players. unless we start scoring goals we are destined to languish exactly where we finished last season. Mid table obscurity yet again.

Sounds like hogwash from you. You will be the first to complain when the team start shipping goals. Oh, I forgot you complain anyway.

Peter300 wrote:

Plastic Bantam wrote: Not if we stick with Wells upfront we won't. The Hanson, Thommo & Connell combination looked fairly good for the short time it was used!! Wells is just not in form at the minute and needs to be dropped. Parky needs to start trying new things. All it's becoming is bang it up to hanson he wins the header & no one is within 10 yards of him for the touch down!!!

Nahki has already been rested e.g. Port Vale or hadn't you noticed?

He does not need resting.. He needs dropping!! his performances in the last 5 or 6 games have been dreadful!!!

What I have noticed is that as soon as he's been replaced recently (York & Aldershot) we've gone on to score!!

He gets thrown off the ball far too easily! and when he gets the ball he gives it up without so much as a whimper!!

All the talk of transfers have clearly gone to his head... Just like they did in his first spell in England!!

I don't doubt he has a decent bit of talent, but at the minute it's like City are playing with 10 men

Peter300 wrote:

tyker2 wrote:
optimistic hogwash from Parky. The players are capable of going and getting two wins only if they are given more freedom on the pitch. How many times have we seen the full backs getting t the bye line with others then flooding then box with players. unless we start scoring goals we are destined to languish exactly where we finished last season. Mid table obscurity yet again.

Sounds like hogwash from you. You will be the first to complain when the team start shipping goals. Oh, I forgot you complain anyway.

go back to your football career. oops sorry you failed. Go back to your pub. oops failed. GO ASK WAYNE JACOSS. OOPS FORGOT YOU HATE THE GUY.

Other teams who flood the area and get fullbacks forward do not ship goals.

Carry on as we are and the best we can hope for is a point a game. Is that what you really really want Peter. Or losing games because we cannot kill games off.
Wimbledon comes to mind. Aldershot nearly stole it from us. Yes two teams near the bottom have taken 4 points from us recently because we cannot score enough goals to finish teams off.

THAT REALLY IS ACCEPTABLE IS IT PETER?

After 'Wembley ticket' gate and alot of the 'HARDCORE' city fans having a go at those who cant get to Valley parade as often, i am hoping to see a large following for city in the south west this week....We shall see

Plastic Bantam wrote:

Peter300 wrote:

Plastic Bantam wrote: Not if we stick with Wells upfront we won't. The Hanson, Thommo & Connell combination looked fairly good for the short time it was used!! Wells is just not in form at the minute and needs to be dropped. Parky needs to start trying new things. All it's becoming is bang it up to hanson he wins the header & no one is within 10 yards of him for the touch down!!!

Nahki has already been rested e.g. Port Vale or hadn't you noticed?

He does not need resting.. He needs dropping!! his performances in the last 5 or 6 games have been dreadful!!!

What I have noticed is that as soon as he's been replaced recently (York & Aldershot) we've gone on to score!!

He gets thrown off the ball far too easily! and when he gets the ball he gives it up without so much as a whimper!!

All the talk of transfers have clearly gone to his head... Just like they did in his first spell in England!!

I don't doubt he has a decent bit of talent, but at the minute it's like City are playing with 10 men

Totally agree with Plastic on this one, I think the credit wells got during the cup run has totally gone to his head and he has been dreadful since villa game, and the team gets a lift when he goes off. Making play-offs now will be extremely hard as other teams around us are hitting form, however we are actually 3 points better off than we were in '96 after the same number of games, so funnier things have definitely happened!

Methinks "Missed the Boat" love to think
otherwise but even playoffs not guaranteed promo!

As long as the 'soft goal' doesn't coincide with a return of the subbuteo keeper.

Hogwash this page is awash with it. The team had all the freedom necessary to win on Saturday and a change of shape and personnel to try a different tack. The players are the ones that have to score not Parky.
We could and should have won on Saturday without any alternative tactics but I agree with one thing Wells needs dropping he is almost invisible at present Connell must get his chance.

Got to agree, there are no negatve tactics...only from the opposition. BCFC only need to be more ruthless in front of the goals...without doubt a opposition team is going to get hammered shortly, let's hope it's both Plymouth and Exeter. Regarding Connell...why not play him behind Hanson and Wells with wingbacks of Hines and Atkinson. The club needs to make sure it doesn't die wondering!!!!!

It seems crazy not staying down there & having to make 2 trips. It doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. They could stop in budget hotels or split em up in B&B's. The main issue would be training & treatment facilities, but you'd think they could source somewhere local. Perhap's Mssrs Lawn & Rhodes are thinking it would be a waste of money, best saved for the pre-season player fund, which you cannot argue with. It would take a major change of fortune to make the top 7 now and probably a change of tactics/more Gung-ho approach by PP, allowing more players into the box to feed off Hanson & co. Minimum 4 points needed, but more likely 6, from the trips down to the south west.

The playoff's are long gone now

Too little too late

Best take some of the cup windfall and buy someone decent for next season.

The thought of another season in league 2 is depressing the hell out of me!!!
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Aldershot were absolutelty dreadful and we struggled to make any decent opportunites. I found it pretty embarrassing that we couldnt beat them in all honesty.
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IMO our striking options just aint good enough. Wells has his head up his a*s, Hanson is effective at what he does but isn't going to shoot us to promotion, Gray is a panic signing at best, Thompson has looked good to me over last month or so and Connell cant get a game - even though he his the only creative influence we have. The starting XI on saturday had no creativity at all apart from Hines but we should have more then 1 creative player on the pitch & Reid seems terrified of taking on sunday league defenders.
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We are very solid at the back but need a complete overall in the attacking options IMO.

I think Parky's putting a brave face on what has been poor performances by the team he has been sticking with . There has been much talk about Wells looking lightweight and the lack of giving Connell a chance but for me one key point was the number of times the ball was hoofed inaccuratly upfield to Hanson by a centre back on Saturday , this was something within the managers control. It was never going to succeed. Please can we have the midfield back ?

Wells has knocked in 18 goals for us this season.....Could it be that he is simply suffering a loss of form and confidence as all strikers do at certain points?

Why does it have to be a case of him "having his head up his own ****, believing his own hype, everything going to his head" etc etc. If he needs dropping then so be it, but lets give the lad a bit of credit for what has been a pretty decent season for him, and not jump on his back at the 1st sign of a goal drought, and because his goals have caught the eye of other clubs.

If the rest of the team were chipping in with the goals from midfield, wings and defence then the 20+ that he will probably end up with would seem a good haul and contribution to a team that would be in no less than the play off position right now...., or if we take his 18 goals away and see what we're left with, then we can see he has been a pretty important player.

He has caught the interest of other clubs and rightly so, it means he's had a good season for BCAFC...but lets not go against him because of this.

northyorksbantam wrote:
Wells has knocked in 18 goals for us this season.....Could it be that he is simply suffering a loss of form and confidence as all strikers do at certain points? Why does it have to be a case of him "having his head up his own ****, believing his own hype, everything going to his head" etc etc. If he needs dropping then so be it, but lets give the lad a bit of credit for what has been a pretty decent season for him, and not jump on his back at the 1st sign of a goal drought, and because his goals have caught the eye of other clubs. If the rest of the team were chipping in with the goals from midfield, wings and defence then the 20+ that he will probably end up with would seem a good haul and contribution to a team that would be in no less than the play off position right now...., or if we take his 18 goals away and see what we're left with, then we can see he has been a pretty important player. He has caught the interest of other clubs and rightly so, it means he's had a good season for BCAFC...but lets not go against him because of this.

Heard on the grape vine that numerous clubs have retracted there interest in Wells. I feel a few more seasons learning his trade is required before the big clubs will come knocking again. Looked like a Rabbit caught in the head lights at Wemebly, however so did most including PP!

northyorksbantam wrote:
Wells has knocked in 18 goals for us this season.....Could it be that he is simply suffering a loss of form and confidence as all strikers do at certain points?

Why does it have to be a case of him "having his head up his own ****, believing his own hype, everything going to his head" etc etc. If he needs dropping then so be it, but lets give the lad a bit of credit for what has been a pretty decent season for him, and not jump on his back at the 1st sign of a goal drought, and because his goals have caught the eye of other clubs.

If the rest of the team were chipping in with the goals from midfield, wings and defence then the 20+ that he will probably end up with would seem a good haul and contribution to a team that would be in no less than the play off position right now...., or if we take his 18 goals away and see what we're left with, then we can see he has been a pretty important player.

He has caught the interest of other clubs and rightly so, it means he's had a good season for BCAFC...but lets not go against him because of this.

It may be a dip in form but he just doesn't seem up for it and when strikers have a dip in form it's hard work that gets them out of it. The amount of times he watched Hanson flick it on rather then gambling was unbeliveable on Saturday. Twice in the first half he would have been in if he gambled on a flick rather then watching it and then setting off.....he must be on his toes or he won't get in those positions. Teams are defending deeper becasue they realise that is our only real threat which is the biggest worry.
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gspot01 wrote:

northyorksbantam wrote:
Wells has knocked in 18 goals for us this season.....Could it be that he is simply suffering a loss of form and confidence as all strikers do at certain points?

Why does it have to be a case of him "having his head up his own ****, believing his own hype, everything going to his head" etc etc. If he needs dropping then so be it, but lets give the lad a bit of credit for what has been a pretty decent season for him, and not jump on his back at the 1st sign of a goal drought, and because his goals have caught the eye of other clubs.

If the rest of the team were chipping in with the goals from midfield, wings and defence then the 20+ that he will probably end up with would seem a good haul and contribution to a team that would be in no less than the play off position right now...., or if we take his 18 goals away and see what we're left with, then we can see he has been a pretty important player.

He has caught the interest of other clubs and rightly so, it means he's had a good season for BCAFC...but lets not go against him because of this.

It may be a dip in form but he just doesn't seem up for it and when strikers have a dip in form it's hard work that gets them out of it. The amount of times he watched Hanson flick it on rather then gambling was unbeliveable on Saturday. Twice in the first half he would have been in if he gambled on a flick rather then watching it and then setting off.....he must be on his toes or he won't get in those positions. Teams are defending deeper becasue they realise that is our only real threat which is the biggest worry.
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Exactly

City attacking are a one trick pony. I'm surprised we score at all to be honest as surely other managers must be aware of this

gspot01 wrote:

northyorksbantam wrote: Wells has knocked in 18 goals for us this season.....Could it be that he is simply suffering a loss of form and confidence as all strikers do at certain points? Why does it have to be a case of him "having his head up his own ****, believing his own hype, everything going to his head" etc etc. If he needs dropping then so be it, but lets give the lad a bit of credit for what has been a pretty decent season for him, and not jump on his back at the 1st sign of a goal drought, and because his goals have caught the eye of other clubs. If the rest of the team were chipping in with the goals from midfield, wings and defence then the 20+ that he will probably end up with would seem a good haul and contribution to a team that would be in no less than the play off position right now...., or if we take his 18 goals away and see what we're left with, then we can see he has been a pretty important player. He has caught the interest of other clubs and rightly so, it means he's had a good season for BCAFC...but lets not go against him because of this.

It may be a dip in form but he just doesn't seem up for it and when strikers have a dip in form it's hard work that gets them out of it. The amount of times he watched Hanson flick it on rather then gambling was unbeliveable on Saturday. Twice in the first half he would have been in if he gambled on a flick rather then watching it and then setting off.....he must be on his toes or he won't get in those positions. Teams are defending deeper becasue they realise that is our only real threat which is the biggest worry. .

Thats fair enough and as I said I have no issue with him being dropped if that is best for the team, I just think he is coming in for some unfair stick after the season he has put in. Maybe PP has put him back in hoping that he can play himself in to some form or nick a goal from somewhere to lift his game again. It doesn't take much for a striker.

As you have said Nahki is one of the few players we have who carry a genuine threat to other teams. Kyel Reids failure to get back to anything like his pre injury form is a big blow to us, Hines remains for me a very inconsistant player, we have no genuine goal threat from midfield in the Syers mould (as much as we all love GJ, Syers was never truly replaced) , so who else are we left with who could get the goals Nahki has? Thommo is OK in an average sort of way, Andy Gray? Connell seems like he can't be accomodated?, we just don't carry much of a goal threat without Nahki, and negative formations don't help.

Yeah I would agree with that we definitely can make the play-offs - IF we start winning football matches !. Win every game from now until the last in May; and I guarantee you, we will be in the play-offs !.

But unfortunately every team we come up againsts 'parks the bus for 90 mins' and we spend the entire game plugging away with no end product.

For that reason...we will be playing in this rump league next season.

northyorksbantam wrote:

gspot01 wrote:

northyorksbantam wrote: Wells has knocked in 18 goals for us this season.....Could it be that he is simply suffering a loss of form and confidence as all strikers do at certain points? Why does it have to be a case of him "having his head up his own ****, believing his own hype, everything going to his head" etc etc. If he needs dropping then so be it, but lets give the lad a bit of credit for what has been a pretty decent season for him, and not jump on his back at the 1st sign of a goal drought, and because his goals have caught the eye of other clubs. If the rest of the team were chipping in with the goals from midfield, wings and defence then the 20+ that he will probably end up with would seem a good haul and contribution to a team that would be in no less than the play off position right now...., or if we take his 18 goals away and see what we're left with, then we can see he has been a pretty important player. He has caught the interest of other clubs and rightly so, it means he's had a good season for BCAFC...but lets not go against him because of this.

It may be a dip in form but he just doesn't seem up for it and when strikers have a dip in form it's hard work that gets them out of it. The amount of times he watched Hanson flick it on rather then gambling was unbeliveable on Saturday. Twice in the first half he would have been in if he gambled on a flick rather then watching it and then setting off.....he must be on his toes or he won't get in those positions. Teams are defending deeper becasue they realise that is our only real threat which is the biggest worry. .

Thats fair enough and as I said I have no issue with him being dropped if that is best for the team, I just think he is coming in for some unfair stick after the season he has put in. Maybe PP has put him back in hoping that he can play himself in to some form or nick a goal from somewhere to lift his game again. It doesn't take much for a striker.

As you have said Nahki is one of the few players we have who carry a genuine threat to other teams. Kyel Reids failure to get back to anything like his pre injury form is a big blow to us, Hines remains for me a very inconsistant player, we have no genuine goal threat from midfield in the Syers mould (as much as we all love GJ, Syers was never truly replaced) , so who else are we left with who could get the goals Nahki has? Thommo is OK in an average sort of way, Andy Gray? Connell seems like he can't be accomodated?, we just don't carry much of a goal threat without Nahki, and negative formations don't help.

I agree with all that. I dont think we have a ball player in the middle of the park. Jones & Ravenhill are ball winners and Doyle is a bit of both. You're right abot Syers never being replaced.
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I dont mean to sound negative but i just dont see the goal threat that the teams at the top have.
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Playing two and on occasions three up front is hardly negative tactics, we should have beaten Aldershot easily and had chances to beat Port Vale, Port Vale have taken four points off BCFC and probably had two shots on target in 180 minutes, while we've had nearer 20 and not scored, to have chance of promotion THIS season BCFC players need to be totally ruthless when they get a chance to score in the 11games remaining.

theoutsider wrote:
Yeah I would agree with that we definitely can make the play-offs - IF we start winning football matches !. Win every game from now until the last in May; and I guarantee you, we will be in the play-offs !.

But unfortunately every team we come up againsts 'parks the bus for 90 mins' and we spend the entire game plugging away with no end product.

For that reason...we will be playing in this rump league next season.

Spot on

The club looked at options whether to stay in Devon all week and had a possible location with indoor training facilities sourced but I understand Parky decided against it. Strange decision given the journey times involved.

Think your players are struggling to get to grips with the 20,000 that's gone missing since the Wembley trip especially with such low prices to get in. Must be difficult knowing that their heroic league cup run hasn't attracted one single extra fan through the gate.

Oakenshaw white wrote:
Think your players are struggling to get to grips with the 20,000 that's gone missing since the Wembley trip especially with such low prices to get in. Must be difficult knowing that their heroic league cup run hasn't attracted one single extra fan through the gate.

You got back in the champions league yet?

Sorry.....you got back in the premiership yet?

Seems like your players are struggling to get to grips with Championship football and will be htere for a few years yet, Arabs or no arabs. Doubt you will ever see the top four again in our lifetimes. Must hurt that.

Wheres your 20,000 fans gone since your glory days then?

dannbradfc wrote:

Oakenshaw white wrote:
Think your players are struggling to get to grips with the 20,000 that's gone missing since the Wembley trip especially with such low prices to get in. Must be difficult knowing that their heroic league cup run hasn't attracted one single extra fan through the gate.

You got back in the champions league yet?

Sorry.....you got back in the premiership yet?

Seems like your players are struggling to get to grips with Championship football and will be htere for a few years yet, Arabs or no arabs. Doubt you will ever see the top four again in our lifetimes. Must hurt that.

Wheres your 20,000 fans gone since your glory days then?

In fairness Dann, he isn't saying anything we haven't mate.

But, yes oaky, where have your other 20k or so disappeared to? Think they swap shirts when jumping from one band wagon to the next?

Prisoner Cell Block A wrote:

dannbradfc wrote:

Oakenshaw white wrote: Think your players are struggling to get to grips with the 20,000 that's gone missing since the Wembley trip especially with such low prices to get in. Must be difficult knowing that their heroic league cup run hasn't attracted one single extra fan through the gate.

You got back in the champions league yet? Sorry.....you got back in the premiership yet? Seems like your players are struggling to get to grips with Championship football and will be htere for a few years yet, Arabs or no arabs. Doubt you will ever see the top four again in our lifetimes. Must hurt that. Wheres your 20,000 fans gone since your glory days then?

In fairness Dann, he isn't saying anything we haven't mate. But, yes oaky, where have your other 20k or so disappeared to? Think they swap shirts when jumping from one band wagon to the next?

I agree but it happens at every club. Annoying but it happens.

All those that were debating and bleating before Wembley have climbed back under their duvets.......untill next time.....and hopefully with a small miracle this year.......

How I hope we have the same arguments soon. Although if there was a small uptake in the 50/50 offer this would reduce the ST holders to 2 per person IF it should come to that.

dannbradfc wrote:

Prisoner Cell Block A wrote:

dannbradfc wrote:

Oakenshaw white wrote: Think your players are struggling to get to grips with the 20,000 that's gone missing since the Wembley trip especially with such low prices to get in. Must be difficult knowing that their heroic league cup run hasn't attracted one single extra fan through the gate.

You got back in the champions league yet? Sorry.....you got back in the premiership yet? Seems like your players are struggling to get to grips with Championship football and will be htere for a few years yet, Arabs or no arabs. Doubt you will ever see the top four again in our lifetimes. Must hurt that. Wheres your 20,000 fans gone since your glory days then?

In fairness Dann, he isn't saying anything we haven't mate. But, yes oaky, where have your other 20k or so disappeared to? Think they swap shirts when jumping from one band wagon to the next?

I agree but it happens at every club. Annoying but it happens.

All those that were debating and bleating before Wembley have climbed back under their duvets.......untill next time.....and hopefully with a small miracle this year.......

I think you will find most of the missing 20k were people that were given a ticket by the season ticket holders that got three, used one for themselves and gave the others to family or friends for a day out.

This is where the 20k have gone and its the ST holders that did this. I said at the time if more tickets had been made available to the general public it would have increased the people in VP week in week out but the shortsightedness of the management proved once again they havent a clue. Its should have been 2 tickets per ST not 3