Bradford City: Stop-start contract talks are back on (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

With the Reading job open and Skybet also putting on the odds for him to get the Chelsea job (seriously, 66/1, check it out), can we really keep hold of him???

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My agent is a good friend and it has been a worrying time.”
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It is a shame that to continue these contractual negotiations; Everyone concerned have to deal with the LMA.
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Perhaps it may be better to put ALL the talks ON HOLD. Until 'Parky's' Agent is well enough to return to work.
I hope his Agent makes a full and speedy recovery and returns to full health ASAP.
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Tonight's match will be another CUP FINAL. Saturday was another example of The Shots fighting for their survival.
Plymouth are in the same fight .
They will want to win for not only 3 Points, but to beat the League Cup Finalists.
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I make no apology, for stating what may now be the obvious situation, City find themselves.
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I want it !!--do the players want it!. I will find the money to return to Wembley ( Home Match !).
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Hopefully the weather is not too bad. A pity they can not remain in the area, for the Exeter match.
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The missing 20,000 fans from Wembley might help make his mind up, best wishes to his agent by the way.

I think the opposing manager said it all on Saturday "Bradford were predictable", reffering to the constant lump up to Hanson. Easy to defend and in my opinion an obvious reason why we aren't scoring many goals and struggling to put teams to bed. I love the optimisim from fans (and so we should be) but in reality it's try again next season with or without Parkinson. Too many points dropped against low ranking teams both home & away.

1. WHY do football managers actually need agents (could U educate me on this one), when i go to an interview, ALL issues regarding my employment are discussed.
2. Lose tonite (and i remember last year, good money wasted!!) and forget the play offs
3. If a certain Mr Mcdermott is available do we want these talks to go ahead and get a great deal? I dont want to be in this league any longer, and he hasnt yet proved he can get us out-but i do think he can, but time will tell if i am right or wrong.. I personally dont get paid to fail unlike footballers/managers

bremmers the bantam wrote:
With the Reading job open and Skybet also putting on the odds for him to get the Chelsea job (seriously, 66/1, check it out), can we really keep hold of him???

If Reading are relegated, there might be a chance for Phil Parkinson to be in contention, but not at the moment.

numerouno2 wrote:
I think the opposing manager said it all on Saturday "Bradford were predictable", reffering to the constant lump up to Hanson. Easy to defend and in my opinion an obvious reason why we aren't scoring many goals and struggling to put teams to bed. I love the optimisim from fans (and so we should be) but in reality it's try again next season with or without Parkinson. Too many points dropped against low ranking teams both home & away.

Five years and you have learned nothing. Zero, zilch, nil on your cv. By the way have you checked out the results of some of the 'unpredictable' teams? e.g. Rotherham, Port Vale, Cheltenham, Southend, Exeter, Burton, Northampton et al. Or some of the unpredictable teams near the drop-zone.

numerouno2 wrote:
I think the opposing manager said it all on Saturday "Bradford were predictable", reffering to the constant lump up to Hanson. Easy to defend and in my opinion an obvious reason why we aren't scoring many goals and struggling to put teams to bed. I love the optimisim from fans (and so we should be) but in reality it's try again next season with or without Parkinson. Too many points dropped against low ranking teams both home & away.

Perhaps Parkinson should turn down the contract offer and look elsewhere. You and others on here will want him sacked anyway within a short time. Maybe he should jump before the people on here like you push him.

numerouno2 wrote:
I think the opposing manager said it all on Saturday "Bradford were predictable", reffering to the constant lump up to Hanson. Easy to defend and in my opinion an obvious reason why we aren't scoring many goals and struggling to put teams to bed. I love the optimisim from fans (and so we should be) but in reality it's try again next season with or without Parkinson. Too many points dropped against low ranking teams both home & away.

Hines also lets is slip on the other headline when he refers to the manger wanting the wingers to help their full-backs. Whilst this is necessary at times there needs to be balance and too much balance is favoured on defending than attacking imo.....

Peter300 wrote:

numerouno2 wrote: I think the opposing manager said it all on Saturday "Bradford were predictable", reffering to the constant lump up to Hanson. Easy to defend and in my opinion an obvious reason why we aren't scoring many goals and struggling to put teams to bed. I love the optimisim from fans (and so we should be) but in reality it's try again next season with or without Parkinson. Too many points dropped against low ranking teams both home & away.

Five years and you have learned nothing. Zero, zilch, nil on your cv. By the way have you checked out the results of some of the 'unpredictable' teams? e.g. Rotherham, Port Vale, Cheltenham, Southend, Exeter, Burton, Northampton et al. Or some of the unpredictable teams near the drop-zone.

Yes you are right these teams have had "freak" results but the difference is all but one you have quoted are well seated in automatic or play off positions. Where do we sit ? Oh yes 9 points off the last play off spot. I say no more the league table speaks for itself.

Peter300 wrote:

numerouno2 wrote: I think the opposing manager said it all on Saturday "Bradford were predictable", reffering to the constant lump up to Hanson. Easy to defend and in my opinion an obvious reason why we aren't scoring many goals and struggling to put teams to bed. I love the optimisim from fans (and so we should be) but in reality it's try again next season with or without Parkinson. Too many points dropped against low ranking teams both home & away.

Perhaps Parkinson should turn down the contract offer and look elsewhere. You and others on here will want him sacked anyway within a short time. Maybe he should jump before the people on here like you push him.

The season hasn't ended yet but if we don't get promoted then Parkinson has done nothing different than any other manager before him.(apart from the League Cup Final that was a fantastic footballing achievement but a one off). He was appointed to get us out of this league and may well fail in doing that. The chairmen are the one's that decide on who the manager will be and I stand by that decision whether I agree with it or not.

Peter is an failed footballer, failed pub owner and only has internet access in the morning so ignore ALL his comments as they border on insanity.

Parky was a 20-1 shot last night for the Reading job but the new owner has no memory of Parky's past so will be going for a well known name expecting to get a miracle.

Now should Parky not agree a contract here I would love Adkins here. PROVEN RECORD AT LOWER LEVELS AND AN ABILITY TO GET TEAMS PROMOTED

Regardless of PP being at VP next season, we will still have the biggest playing budget and the best facilities compared to the rest of the teams, making us an attractive pull for any high profile manager. Look at Worthington going to York! As tyker2 says, Adkins would be a fantastic replacement should PP go elsewhere. But at the moment he is still city manager and lets get behind him and the team for a final play-off push!

numerouno2 wrote:

Peter300 wrote:

numerouno2 wrote: I think the opposing manager said it all on Saturday "Bradford were predictable", reffering to the constant lump up to Hanson. Easy to defend and in my opinion an obvious reason why we aren't scoring many goals and struggling to put teams to bed. I love the optimisim from fans (and so we should be) but in reality it's try again next season with or without Parkinson. Too many points dropped against low ranking teams both home & away.

Perhaps Parkinson should turn down the contract offer and look elsewhere. You and others on here will want him sacked anyway within a short time. Maybe he should jump before the people on here like you push him.

The season hasn't ended yet but if we don't get promoted then Parkinson has done nothing different than any other manager before him.(apart from the League Cup Final that was a fantastic footballing achievement but a one off). He was appointed to get us out of this league and may well fail in doing that. The chairmen are the one's that decide on who the manager will be and I stand by that decision whether I agree with it or not.

hasn't done anything, except get to the leauge cup final for the first time in 100 years............

to be honest I am not that keen on PP style of football. bit negative, especially in the first half (if it carries on next season I think the discount 50/50 tickets should be for getting into every game but the second half only (joke)). however to be fair, last season we were in trouble and although it didn't really work i could understand the cautious approach. This season we have had bad injuries and a mega amount of games played. and still, with a bit better finishing we would be right up there.

Victor Clayton wrote:

numerouno2 wrote:

Peter300 wrote:

numerouno2 wrote: I think the opposing manager said it all on Saturday "Bradford were predictable", reffering to the constant lump up to Hanson. Easy to defend and in my opinion an obvious reason why we aren't scoring many goals and struggling to put teams to bed. I love the optimisim from fans (and so we should be) but in reality it's try again next season with or without Parkinson. Too many points dropped against low ranking teams both home & away.

Perhaps Parkinson should turn down the contract offer and look elsewhere. You and others on here will want him sacked anyway within a short time. Maybe he should jump before the people on here like you push him.

The season hasn't ended yet but if we don't get promoted then Parkinson has done nothing different than any other manager before him.(apart from the League Cup Final that was a fantastic footballing achievement but a one off). He was appointed to get us out of this league and may well fail in doing that. The chairmen are the one's that decide on who the manager will be and I stand by that decision whether I agree with it or not.

hasn't done anything, except get to the leauge cup final for the first time in 100 years............

Perhaps you need to read the comments closer Victor ? Look at the comment inside the brackets !

numerouno2 wrote:

Victor Clayton wrote:

numerouno2 wrote:

Peter300 wrote:

numerouno2 wrote: I think the opposing manager said it all on Saturday "Bradford were predictable", reffering to the constant lump up to Hanson. Easy to defend and in my opinion an obvious reason why we aren't scoring many goals and struggling to put teams to bed. I love the optimisim from fans (and so we should be) but in reality it's try again next season with or without Parkinson. Too many points dropped against low ranking teams both home & away.

Perhaps Parkinson should turn down the contract offer and look elsewhere. You and others on here will want him sacked anyway within a short time. Maybe he should jump before the people on here like you push him.

The season hasn't ended yet but if we don't get promoted then Parkinson has done nothing different than any other manager before him.(apart from the League Cup Final that was a fantastic footballing achievement but a one off). He was appointed to get us out of this league and may well fail in doing that. The chairmen are the one's that decide on who the manager will be and I stand by that decision whether I agree with it or not.

hasn't done anything, except get to the leauge cup final for the first time in 100 years............

Perhaps you need to read the comments closer Victor ? Look at the comment inside the brackets !

fair comment. but I was pointing out what i saw as a contradiction. As in - Done nothing different/ got us to a cup final.

Victor Clayton wrote:
to be honest I am not that keen on PP style of football. bit negative, especially in the first half (if it carries on next season I think the discount 50/50 tickets should be for getting into every game but the second half only (joke)). however to be fair, last season we were in trouble and although it didn't really work i could understand the cautious approach. This season we have had bad injuries and a mega amount of games played. and still, with a bit better finishing we would be right up there.

You have touched on a valid point but teams know exactly how we play now so PP should be looking at out smarting them by trying something different like playing it on the ground. Yes some of the ground conditions will not suit this but why bring in a forward who is not known for his arial ability and still play the same balls as if it were Hanson ?. It's pretty much s##t or bust now so we need to attack every game as if it's our last. The season could well be over by the end of the weekend :-(

Exactly.What has Parkin done in the league s ince he came here. His constan use of Hanson shows he is devoid of tactical ideas. Get him cheap or let him go. I cannot imagine the comments above, that he is anything but a run-of=the=mill manager

numerouno2 wrote:

Victor Clayton wrote: to be honest I am not that keen on PP style of football. bit negative, especially in the first half (if it carries on next season I think the discount 50/50 tickets should be for getting into every game but the second half only (joke)). however to be fair, last season we were in trouble and although it didn't really work i could understand the cautious approach. This season we have had bad injuries and a mega amount of games played. and still, with a bit better finishing we would be right up there.

You have touched on a valid point but teams know exactly how we play now so PP should be looking at out smarting them by trying something different like playing it on the ground. Yes some of the ground conditions will not suit this but why bring in a forward who is not known for his arial ability and still play the same balls as if it were Hanson ?. It's pretty much s##t or bust now so we need to attack every game as if it's our last. The season could well be over by the end of the weekend :-(

Absolutely spot on!

We have technical players within the squad who have ability with the ball at their feet! Why bypass this by lumping long balls to Hanson every single time and it clearly doesn't work!

Wish Parky would employ this method of play for once, and tell the lads to keep the ball on the floor!

Phil Parkinson is very eloquent. He uses his words sparingly and accurately and I'm struggling to think of another manager I can say that about I didn't really know him before he came to manage City and so it took a while to get to know him.

I now have a huge amount of respect for him as an individual rather than as someone who got City to a Cup Final. His pitchside conduct and general honesty and professionalism mark him out as having the potential to become a very successful manager.

If he goes, i'll miss him that's for sure.

But, I realise that too many fans always believe the grass is greener on the other side and chairmen tend to go with the majority.

PP is fine exactly where he is..this isnt the time to start asking why PP didnt get us promoted (tbc) its a chance for the chairmen to take a hard look at the finiancial benefits that the cup run gave us and use the money accordingly. We need a solid goal scorer (not taking anything away from Hanson, but you can see a header coming a mile off) and WE MUST command more in midfield... spend the money wisely and we will climb the leagues once more.

Scargutt2 wrote:
Phil Parkinson is very eloquent. He uses his words sparingly and accurately and I'm struggling to think of another manager I can say that about I didn't really know him before he came to manage City and so it took a while to get to know him. I now have a huge amount of respect for him as an individual rather than as someone who got City to a Cup Final. His pitchside conduct and general honesty and professionalism mark him out as having the potential to become a very successful manager. If he goes, i'll miss him that's for sure. But, I realise that too many fans always believe the grass is greener on the other side and chairmen tend to go with the majority.

Exactly. Too many knee-jerk reactions.

Until 28-August-2011, Bradford City was a shambles. In the space of a year and a half, the manager has got the club onto a proper footing; both financially and in terms of the playing squad. This after twelve years of decline.

If he does go, that the detractors are likely to get all the misery they deserve.

Win tonight and the play-offs are potentially six points away.

Hopefully 'PP' will extend his contract at City at a cost which is RIGHT for City (our budget) and adequate reward for him. He certainly deserves our grateful thanks/loyalty for giving us a season to remember via the League Cup exploits. The league campaign has been much less rewarding, but injuries within a small squad has been 'partly responsible. I do also think, however, the 'team' lacks 'something' and next season hopefully 'PP' can find it!!

The present mgr. deserves the chance to 'go again' next year, with a few shewd additions-a scoring attacking midfielder and a scorer up front being the priority.

However, if its a chance with a higher-placed side that's his prioriy, no amount City could afford to offer would keep him. If that's the case-I'd rather he left before the close season starts.

As for 'promotion in 2012/13, I basically, think the five consecutive home games with just two points gained cost us. Just three wins/draw out of those would have given us 10 points and we would've been right 'in it.'

However if 'The Bantams' can go on a 'Burton Albion' style run starting tonight) we might have a chance-I say....'IF'!!

timetobeproud wrote:
PP is fine exactly where he is..this isnt the time to start asking why PP didnt get us promoted (tbc) its a chance for the chairmen to take a hard look at the finiancial benefits that the cup run gave us and use the money accordingly. We need a solid goal scorer (not taking anything away from Hanson, but you can see a header coming a mile off) and WE MUST command more in midfield... spend the money wisely and we will climb the leagues once more.

The problem with looking at this season as just 'the financial benefits the cup run brought us', is that we haven't actually gained anything according to the joint chairmen.

We are supposed to have gained around £2.1m from the cup run, but had a £700k excess spend on budget. Add this to our costs (whatever they are), the cup bonuses, the trips to Vegas & Tenerife, it only leaves between £600k - £700k. This simply means we can keep the same squad for another season, but there will be nothing left.

As such, although the players will have benefitted both financially and as a player for a cup run, we have nothing financially to show for it, other than another crack at promotion next term.

There are some quality comments on here today regarding our season. PP, his back-room staff and the players did us proud in getting us to Wembley. Yes, there was a lot of luck needed to get us there, but the club also played a massive part.

However, in the league (the bread and butter), although we have clearly improved, the improvement isn't as big as it should have been. We are still playing negatively, trying to keep it tight and conceding a sucker-punch. This happened under Taylor and, although the consistency is better, we are still struggling to beat poor/average sides.

As many above have said, (and PP himself said in recent interviews), other sides have seen us on the TV and know how we set up. We are too predictable and it is obvious from our recent home results that we are too easy to defend against.

Hanson is good at what he does. He wins aerial battles and the defenders always know they have been in a fight against him. However, with JH in the side, we do lack goals because of the style of play we adopt. If we are going to lump the ball up field, we must have wingers coming in off the touchline. We must have our central midfielders pushing further forward. As it is, we do neither and it is often left for Wells (or A N Other) to try to latch onto the flick-on. It is too easy to defend against.

On Saturday, PP said he didn't want to play Connell with Hanson or Gray as we would lack pace through the middle. He has played Gray with Thompson, so he obviously thinks Thommo has some pace. If this is so, why not partner Thompson & Connell then? Both are good off the ball, have intelligence to make good runs and both can score. Thompson is decent in the air (not as good as Hanson, but adequate all the same), together with Connell's intelligent movement, means we may be able to cut out the hoof-ball mentality this club have adopted over the past 4+ seasons. Hanson is a decent player, but the style of play we choose to play because of his appearance in the side is often awful and will not get us promoted.

Time to try something different PP.

There is a real sense of the ambiguity to the way this season is shaping up from fans. It is moot to address the positive successes at the club under Parky's regime: discipline on the pitch, a much needed re-vamp of the defence, excellent defenders for Div 2 brought in on contract and/or on loan, beating three Premiership teams and reaching Wembley.

The concern expressed by many posters are with the issues that haven't been as successful - third biggest budget in this division, only 1.5 goals per league game, lack of box to box action by mid-fielders, few bodies in the box from open play, largely defensive tactics against teams that are well below both our standard and capability and an inability with any permutation up front to score goals.

We get one point for a draw and seem ecstatic when we've got a clean sheet, but with three points for a win, I'd rather see more 3-2 victories than the hope of winning 1-0 turning into chasing games for a point that we should have won in the first 20 minutes with a more positive style of play.

So, jury still out, but I wouldn't be crying if Parkinson elected to go elsewhere. Personally, I just don't find a 'let's win it 1-0' in the last ten minutes to be a philosophy that suits my love of the beautiful game.

End of the day Parky's target and objective for the season was the play offs and promotion. If he fails then he has failed in his job...simple. Only time will tell although by the look of it he has failed miserably

The cup run was just freak luck lets be honest and shouldn't even be in the running when it comes to his contract

Cityman23 wrote:
Hopefully 'PP' will extend his contract at City at a cost which is RIGHT for City (our budget) and adequate reward for him. He certainly deserves our grateful thanks/loyalty for giving us a season to remember via the League Cup exploits. The league campaign has been much less rewarding, but injuries within a small squad has been 'partly responsible. I do also think, however, the 'team' lacks 'something' and next season hopefully 'PP' can find it!!

The present mgr. deserves the chance to 'go again' next year, with a few shewd additions-a scoring attacking midfielder and a scorer up front being the priority.

However, if its a chance with a higher-placed side that's his prioriy, no amount City could afford to offer would keep him. If that's the case-I'd rather he left before the close season starts.

As for 'promotion in 2012/13, I basically, think the five consecutive home games with just two points gained cost us. Just three wins/draw out of those would have given us 10 points and we would've been right 'in it.'

However if 'The Bantams' can go on a 'Burton Albion' style run starting tonight) we might have a chance-I say....'IF'!!

Parky has already been 'bonussed' alongside the players for Wembley (quite rightly) and I agree he has given BCFC credibility once again after 10 years. However, he is an average L2 Manager - tactics and results show this and his contract offer must reflect this (ish) and not break the bank. Still would give him a chance next year but if he demands too much look elsewhere as no one person is bigger than the club. CTID

I just wonder - if we lose tonight - whether PP will walk?
Lets face it without a win, not a chance of Play Offs.
With ten "meaningless" games and really no youth to blood - it would be quite a difficult end to what has been a memorable season.
However what surprises me is that he had a huge budget to get out of this Division - its all very well berating PJ but didnt he have no money to spend? He had to rely on signing youngsters rather than proven performers - also a certain G Jones didnt come.
At the end of the day are we that much a better side than we were a year ago? Sure we are a dozen or more points better off but our form since November has been very poor - probably relegation form. When was the last time (apart from Wycombe) did we score in first half and build on it? Our wins at home v Torquay and Accrington were last minute do or dies.
I want continuity but was Shawn right?

bremmers the bantam wrote:
With the Reading job open and Skybet also putting on the odds for him to get the Chelsea job (seriously, 66/1, check it out), can we really keep hold of him???

Reading job closed. Chelsea this is the joke of the year. He would do well to sign now.

LaCe78 wrote:

numerouno2 wrote:

Victor Clayton wrote: to be honest I am not that keen on PP style of football. bit negative, especially in the first half (if it carries on next season I think the discount 50/50 tickets should be for getting into every game but the second half only (joke)). however to be fair, last season we were in trouble and although it didn't really work i could understand the cautious approach. This season we have had bad injuries and a mega amount of games played. and still, with a bit better finishing we would be right up there.

You have touched on a valid point but teams know exactly how we play now so PP should be looking at out smarting them by trying something different like playing it on the ground. Yes some of the ground conditions will not suit this but why bring in a forward who is not known for his arial ability and still play the same balls as if it were Hanson ?. It's pretty much s##t or bust now so we need to attack every game as if it's our last. The season could well be over by the end of the weekend :-(

Absolutely spot on!

We have technical players within the squad who have ability with the ball at their feet! Why bypass this by lumping long balls to Hanson every single time and it clearly doesn't work!

Wish Parky would employ this method of play for once, and tell the lads to keep the ball on the floor!

I don't agree that we have the technical players that are good enough to play with ball at feet. Jones, Doyle, wells and Atkinson yes. Reid, hines, Hanson no.

Ask yourselves this, take away the cup run this season and are we still struggling to make the play offs?
No, we are in the top 3 positions in the league and looking at promotion.
We have played a rediculous amount of games and our engine room is just about spent.
The rest of the league play their cup final against us each week and have seen our style of play on tv, and the way teams park the bus at valley parade is shocking. Difficult to break down then we get caught with a sucker punch.
How anyone can say we are no better than last season beggers belief.
We've simply had an amazing season which may end up being one of our greatest of all time, but it could simply be a bridge too far.
Trust in pp, our best manager since jewel.

Durko11 wrote:
Ask yourselves this, take away the cup run this season and are we still struggling to make the play offs?
No, we are in the top 3 positions in the league and looking at promotion.
We have played a rediculous amount of games and our engine room is just about spent.
The rest of the league play their cup final against us each week and have seen our style of play on tv, and the way teams park the bus at valley parade is shocking. Difficult to break down then we get caught with a sucker punch.
How anyone can say we are no better than last season beggers belief.
We've simply had an amazing season which may end up being one of our greatest of all time, but it could simply be a bridge too far.
Trust in pp, our best manager since jewel.

Dont be using the amount of games as an excuse because thats complete bull. Yes they have played more than usual but so what. If they cant run around for 90 mins twice a week then they shouldnt be footballers.

The cup run was just sheer luck lets face it and the position in the league with all the money spent and generated from the cup truly proves PP is a rabbit in the headlights and hasnt a clue how to turn things around...or even formulate an attacking team

So what is other clubs park the bus...that just means more shots on target available therefore increasing the chance of scoring...failing that employ standard PP tactics....Hoof the ball upfield to Hanson and hope for the best. It wasnt other clubs watching BCFC on the tv that made it easier for them to play against us. It was the fact PP is a one trick pony who hasnt a clue what to do now so just reverts back to the same tactics match after match.

If he mixed it up a bit we might have a chance

Andy2010 wrote:

Durko11 wrote: Ask yourselves this, take away the cup run this season and are we still struggling to make the play offs? No, we are in the top 3 positions in the league and looking at promotion. We have played a rediculous amount of games and our engine room is just about spent. The rest of the league play their cup final against us each week and have seen our style of play on tv, and the way teams park the bus at valley parade is shocking. Difficult to break down then we get caught with a sucker punch. How anyone can say we are no better than last season beggers belief. We've simply had an amazing season which may end up being one of our greatest of all time, but it could simply be a bridge too far. Trust in pp, our best manager since jewel.

Dont be using the amount of games as an excuse because thats complete bull. Yes they have played more than usual but so what. If they cant run around for 90 mins twice a week then they shouldnt be footballers. The cup run was just sheer luck lets face it and the position in the league with all the money spent and generated from the cup truly proves PP is a rabbit in the headlights and hasnt a clue how to turn things around...or even formulate an attacking team So what is other clubs park the bus...that just means more shots on target available therefore increasing the chance of scoring...failing that employ standard PP tactics....Hoof the ball upfield to Hanson and hope for the best. It wasnt other clubs watching BCFC on the tv that made it easier for them to play against us. It was the fact PP is a one trick pony who hasnt a clue what to do now so just reverts back to the same tactics match after match. If he mixed it up a bit we might have a chance

I disagree. The cup run was not down to sheer luck. It was down to guts, determination, hard work and good football.

If the club does not succeed (this season) this has been a learning curve (for everyone) and to suggest that PP is a "one-trick pony" is absurd.

Your not saying that BC are a better side than the Gunners over a season.
PP is a quite a good manager held back by lack of funds but many a manager will say that.