Bristol Rovers 2 City 1 (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Another Saturday, another dreadful result. PP 5 wins in twenty odd games - strange how MM at Bristol has already won half as many games in three!

Make no mistake this PP team is absolutely dire - I thought 2-0 but City never surprise. BSP is where we are headed - a false dawn in December - no wins in 2012.

The sad thing is that on paper squad looks sound but on pitch clueless. God help us without Davies next season will equally be dire.

Fagan,Duke,Threlfall
,Seip,Ramsden and Flynn out. I've said it all season and I'm going to keep saying it.
Flynn is loose passer and a sicknote,
Duke is sh*te,
Threlfall can't kick a ball,
Ramsden average and a sicknote,
Seip is a loose passer and gets caught out of position when he goes forward and
Fagan has a bad touch and never takes anybody on

Er - Dann can't see how getting rid of fringe players is going to make any difference! Agree about Fagan - for a class Player (supposedly) has done little. A bit unfair on Seip as virtually all team lose ball too easily.

One or two observations.

1. What has Jones done wrong to be dropped to accomodate Syers? Lee Clark commented on the radio that any player who drops out of his team due to suspension or injury has to earn the right to get back in team and cannot expect to walk straight back in. Not so at City.

2. Why is Fagan a fixture in the team?

3. Why was short term loanee Charlie Taylor on the bench, when better quality permanent players can't make the squad?

4. Another " Compton " replacement walks straight into the team with, by all accounts, an inept display causing him to be withdrawn after half time.

5. The recent bout of tinkering in bringing in loan players has disrupted the team and set us back.

6. We're now looking over our shoulders again and disconcertingly, those few teams below us look to be improving.

I wonder if P.P and the coaching staff spilled on to the edge of the pitch and if P.P. raced to confront the referee at half-time after Rovers had their very legitimate claims for a penalty ignored? Thought not! The man is now getting desperate!

Danstarr69 wrote:
Fagan,Duke,Threlfall ,Seip,Ramsden and Flynn out. I've said it all season and I'm going to keep saying it. Flynn is loose passer and a sicknote, Duke is sh*te, Threlfall can't kick a ball, Ramsden average and a sicknote, Seip is a loose passer and gets caught out of position when he goes forward and Fagan has a bad touch and never takes anybody on

Letting Moore and Compton go back,bad decisions.Trying to push OB,Stewart,Mitchell,
Rodney and Hannah out,bad decisions.

Only good decisions so far are Reid,Davies and Ravenhill.

Why do I want the 6 players I don't like out? So players like the ones above can get a chance.

And I thought PP said in his 1st week at city he doesn't like having loads of loan players in the squad.

Hypocrite?

After the 3-1 home victory v Shrewsbury on New Year's Eve, (which in turn followed a home win v Crewe) I started to believe 'PP' was really making a positive difference. His winning of the 'MOTM' award was thoroughly deserved and the future looked 'set fair...('er')!!.'

Unfortunately, I (and others too I am sure!!) have often found through experience that NOTHING is ever straightforward where City is concerned!!

2012 has 'seen' things start to slip backwards again to some degree and whilst agreeing that 'PP' should be given credit for the likes of Davies, Ravenhill and Reid, other players and their treatment has seen some 'strange' decisions and inconsistency!!

Thankfully in 2011 'PP' 'saw the light' over Duke and replaced him with McLoughlin, though sadly we're stuck with Duke in our squad unless he can be loaned out.

The 'business' over Jack Compton, I have commented about many times before, so I don't intend to say more than ultimately it was a 'mistake' which maybe even 'PP' secretly regrets!!

Craig Fagan arrived with a 'fanfare' for his 'Premier League experience' but he has proved very disappointing. Like Duke, 'PP' seems prepared to stick with him come what may, even 'shipping out' Stewart who I think was a better replacement.

Luke O'Brien's 'face' never fitted for 'Jacko' or 'PP' but his performances have been so rare that I wonder was he REALLY given a chance? (He certainly was never given the 'slack' Fagin has been given!!)

Threlfall was told by 'Jacko' that he wasn't in his plans and could go, yet he stayed and 'PP' 'took a shine' to him!! Now he seems injured as much as he plays. When he does feature-he's not that convincing.

Wlliams was sent out on loan too, which seems a mistake when we're now having to play a midfielder (Bulloch) as a central defender (after Oliver's injury).

Seip has done well to cover all defensive 'bases' but HIS favoured position is right back-a position for which Kosluck has been signed as cover for Ramsden (another perenial injured player!!)

Then we have the 'winger situation' which since Reid was injured, seems to have become almost 'farcical' with a 'conveyor belt' of replacements being brought in ..almost it seems on a weekly basis!!

Thankfully, we have two decent strikers in Hanson/Wells yet we have recruited Dean Smalley who has hardly looked convincing. There remains the possibility another striker..(or even winger) will arrive!!

Saddest of all, today, the old defensive frailties/City 'howlers' came back to 'haunt us' (but of course 'normal service' resumed with ..yet another ..sending off and a questionable couple of referee's decisions!!

Where do we go next? Who can say? But as a 'tweeter' pointed out on the radio commentary of the match-'PP's' percentage success rate (wins) so far is worse than Peter Taylor's (at the same stage) and we are only one place higher in the division.

Where next??!!

Cityman23 wrote:
After the 3-1 home victory v Shrewsbury on New Year's Eve, (which in turn followed a home win v Crewe) I started to believe 'PP' was really making a positive difference. His winning of the 'MOTM' award was thoroughly deserved and the future looked 'set fair...('er')!!.'

Unfortunately, I (and others too I am sure!!) have often found through experience that NOTHING is ever straightforward where City is concerned!!

2012 has 'seen' things start to slip backwards again to some degree and whilst agreeing that 'PP' should be given credit for the likes of Davies, Ravenhill and Reid, other players and their treatment has seen some 'strange' decisions and inconsistency!!

Thankfully in 2011 'PP' 'saw the light' over Duke and replaced him with McLoughlin, though sadly we're stuck with Duke in our squad unless he can be loaned out.

The 'business' over Jack Compton, I have commented about many times before, so I don't intend to say more than ultimately it was a 'mistake' which maybe even 'PP' secretly regrets!!

Craig Fagan arrived with a 'fanfare' for his 'Premier League experience' but he has proved very disappointing. Like Duke, 'PP' seems prepared to stick with him come what may, even 'shipping out' Stewart who I think was a better replacement.

Luke O'Brien's 'face' never fitted for 'Jacko' or 'PP' but his performances have been so rare that I wonder was he REALLY given a chance? (He certainly was never given the 'slack' Fagin has been given!!)

Threlfall was told by 'Jacko' that he wasn't in his plans and could go, yet he stayed and 'PP' 'took a shine' to him!! Now he seems injured as much as he plays. When he does feature-he's not that convincing.

Wlliams was sent out on loan too, which seems a mistake when we're now having to play a midfielder (Bulloch) as a central defender (after Oliver's injury).

Seip has done well to cover all defensive 'bases' but HIS favoured position is right back-a position for which Kosluck has been signed as cover for Ramsden (another perenial injured player!!)

Then we have the 'winger situation' which since Reid was injured, seems to have become almost 'farcical' with a 'conveyor belt' of replacements being brought in ..almost it seems on a weekly basis!!

Thankfully, we have two decent strikers in Hanson/Wells yet we have recruited Dean Smalley who has hardly looked convincing. There remains the possibility another striker..(or even winger) will arrive!!

Saddest of all, today, the old defensive frailties/City 'howlers' came back to 'haunt us' (but of course 'normal service' resumed with ..yet another ..sending off and a questionable couple of referee's decisions!!

Where do we go next? Who can say? But as a 'tweeter' pointed out on the radio commentary of the match-'PP's' percentage success rate (wins) so far is worse than Peter Taylor's (at the same stage) and we are only one place higher in the division.

Where next??!!

Yes, it's like a soap opera, Cityman.

You haven't mentioned the Development Squad. Does it exist or did I dream it?

Are any of these conveyor belt wingers you refer to any better than Dominic Rowe, or the departed Mark Stewart, who could have played there?

How many players has PP brought in and where exactly has it got us?

Perm any 11 from 40 and it's almost the same conclusion regardless of personnel.

A move to Odsal may well be on the cards - as a non league club - I'm getting worried again!

ERM.....Its getting worrying (football terms) again!!

City didn't get going again today, the intensity they were playing with a few games back seems to have gone, we only started playing after the sending off, but by that time were 2 0 down! which is very frustrating, the penalty decision at the end was a shocking decision and I still cant believe it.

Pablo and cityman make s ome valid points, Jones is another one I feel will never get anywhere at city as he is a Jacko signing,he was dropped for reed earlier on in the season and again for a not match fit syers

Cityman23 wrote:
After the 3-1 home victory v Shrewsbury on New Year's Eve, (which in turn followed a home win v Crewe) I started to believe 'PP' was really making a positive difference. His winning of the 'MOTM' award was thoroughly deserved and the future looked 'set fair...('er')!!.' Unfortunately, I (and others too I am sure!!) have often found through experience that NOTHING is ever straightforward where City is concerned!! 2012 has 'seen' things start to slip backwards again to some degree and whilst agreeing that 'PP' should be given credit for the likes of Davies, Ravenhill and Reid, other players and their treatment has seen some 'strange' decisions and inconsistency!! Thankfully in 2011 'PP' 'saw the light' over Duke and replaced him with McLoughlin, though sadly we're stuck with Duke in our squad unless he can be loaned out. The 'business' over Jack Compton, I have commented about many times before, so I don't intend to say more than ultimately it was a 'mistake' which maybe even 'PP' secretly regrets!! Craig Fagan arrived with a 'fanfare' for his 'Premier League experience' but he has proved very disappointing. Like Duke, 'PP' seems prepared to stick with him come what may, even 'shipping out' Stewart who I think was a better replacement. Luke O'Brien's 'face' never fitted for 'Jacko' or 'PP' but his performances have been so rare that I wonder was he REALLY given a chance? (He certainly was never given the 'slack' Fagin has been given!!) Threlfall was told by 'Jacko' that he wasn't in his plans and could go, yet he stayed and 'PP' 'took a shine' to him!! Now he seems injured as much as he plays. When he does feature-he's not that convincing. Wlliams was sent out on loan too, which seems a mistake when we're now having to play a midfielder (Bulloch) as a central defender (after Oliver's injury). Seip has done well to cover all defensive 'bases' but HIS favoured position is right back-a position for which Kosluck has been signed as cover for Ramsden (another perenial injured player!!) Then we have the 'winger situation' which since Reid was injured, seems to have become almost 'farcical' with a 'conveyor belt' of replacements being brought in ..almost it seems on a weekly basis!! Thankfully, we have two decent strikers in Hanson/Wells yet we have recruited Dean Smalley who has hardly looked convincing. There remains the possibility another striker..(or even winger) will arrive!! Saddest of all, today, the old defensive frailties/City 'howlers' came back to 'haunt us' (but of course 'normal service' resumed with ..yet another ..sending off and a questionable couple of referee's decisions!! Where do we go next? Who can say? But as a 'tweeter' pointed out on the radio commentary of the match-'PP's' percentage success rate (wins) so far is worse than Peter Taylor's (at the same stage) and we are only one place higher in the division. Where next??!!

Decembers results gave us all much optimism that we had, at last, turned the corner.
However January results have given us a reallity check.
December 2 goals conceeded in 4 leaque games.
January 8 goals conceeded in 4 leaque games - quadrupled !!!!
The optimistic posters expect us not to be negative but it is rather hard at the moment.
I am most concerned that Hanson will be sold and Hannah will be loaned out.
I am sure he feels that he would have put some of Hansons knock downs away today.

IMO we are not good enough - simples!

I await responses from all our positive posters to convince me otherwise !

We're only trying to be positive in the hope it will lead to a change of fortunes. Changing the mgr every 18 - 24 mnths has proved fruitful to date. Main concern for me is that pp like Taylor is obsessed with bringing in players every other week. Recent squad sizes have been ridiculous at our level of football. Mark McGhee 3 wins in 4, pp 5 in 22!!! Delegation form

Sorry, that should say hasn't fruitful. The other thing that annoys is the whole development squad farce. We spend all sorry, should say hasn't proved fruitful. Another thing that annoys is that we spent all summer saying that we are laying a platform for yrs to come- which actually lasted about 5 games until jacko is sacked followed shortly by Christie and then the coach (sorry forgot his name) and Colin cooper. Much touted players like brown, Lacey, burns, Rodney and the kid from spurs then just seem to disappear. Most never even get a look in for reserves

Ramsden and Oliver missing have made a big difference, just as we starting to show some consistency.

DisplacedNortherner wrote:
Ramsden and Oliver missing have made a big difference, just as we starting to show some consistency.

Agreed,
but heaven help us if johnny mack gets injured. Shame loanee from Tottenham was sent packing.

Pablo wrote:

Cityman23 wrote: After the 3-1 home victory v Shrewsbury on New Year's Eve, (which in turn followed a home win v Crewe) I started to believe 'PP' was really making a positive difference. His winning of the 'MOTM' award was thoroughly deserved and the future looked 'set fair...('er')!!.' Unfortunately, I (and others too I am sure!!) have often found through experience that NOTHING is ever straightforward where City is concerned!! 2012 has 'seen' things start to slip backwards again to some degree and whilst agreeing that 'PP' should be given credit for the likes of Davies, Ravenhill and Reid, other players and their treatment has seen some 'strange' decisions and inconsistency!! Thankfully in 2011 'PP' 'saw the light' over Duke and replaced him with McLoughlin, though sadly we're stuck with Duke in our squad unless he can be loaned out. The 'business' over Jack Compton, I have commented about many times before, so I don't intend to say more than ultimately it was a 'mistake' which maybe even 'PP' secretly regrets!! Craig Fagan arrived with a 'fanfare' for his 'Premier League experience' but he has proved very disappointing. Like Duke, 'PP' seems prepared to stick with him come what may, even 'shipping out' Stewart who I think was a better replacement. Luke O'Brien's 'face' never fitted for 'Jacko' or 'PP' but his performances have been so rare that I wonder was he REALLY given a chance? (He certainly was never given the 'slack' Fagin has been given!!) Threlfall was told by 'Jacko' that he wasn't in his plans and could go, yet he stayed and 'PP' 'took a shine' to him!! Now he seems injured as much as he plays. When he does feature-he's not that convincing. Wlliams was sent out on loan too, which seems a mistake when we're now having to play a midfielder (Bulloch) as a central defender (after Oliver's injury). Seip has done well to cover all defensive 'bases' but HIS favoured position is right back-a position for which Kosluck has been signed as cover for Ramsden (another perenial injured player!!) Then we have the 'winger situation' which since Reid was injured, seems to have become almost 'farcical' with a 'conveyor belt' of replacements being brought in ..almost it seems on a weekly basis!! Thankfully, we have two decent strikers in Hanson/Wells yet we have recruited Dean Smalley who has hardly looked convincing. There remains the possibility another striker..(or even winger) will arrive!! Saddest of all, today, the old defensive frailties/City 'howlers' came back to 'haunt us' (but of course 'normal service' resumed with ..yet another ..sending off and a questionable couple of referee's decisions!! Where do we go next? Who can say? But as a 'tweeter' pointed out on the radio commentary of the match-'PP's' percentage success rate (wins) so far is worse than Peter Taylor's (at the same stage) and we are only one place higher in the division. Where next??!!

Yes, it's like a soap opera, Cityman. You haven't mentioned the Development Squad. Does it exist or did I dream it? Are any of these conveyor belt wingers you refer to any better than Dominic Rowe, or the departed Mark Stewart, who could have played there? How many players has PP brought in and where exactly has it got us? Perm any 11 from 40 and it's almost the same conclusion regardless of personnel. A move to Odsal may well be on the cards - as a non league club - I'm getting worried again!

Best posts I've seen in ages.I think were on the same wavelengths....still not convinced about Seip though,even at right back.

Liam Moore was miles better imo.

What does it take to get our team to be switched on for 90 mins. For many seasons now, no matter who has managed or played for us down at City we only seem to get our team focussed for 45 minss. Our supporters are not to blame however All we can do is support positively for 90 mins and then go home knowinng that at least we did our bit, top quality support. Get a great atmosphere going at valley Parade and maybe we could inspire 90 mins full on effort required to get us out of this hole of a division.

After our little run of victories just a short while ago i did not foresee that we would be only 5 points from relegation area by the end of January. I expected us to begin winning enough home points to see us be nearer mid-table. However some of this was part desperation rather than reasoned assessment. In just this short time we have lost a winger more than capable of performing in this league and acquired one decent midfielder (ravenhill) and four questions marks. have we improved the squad?

As isaid last week it was no surprise to see Jones make way today. Parkinson appears to make an early decision on players and then no matter how they perform they are either in favour or not.

In our recent two home games i gave Jones the mom in the first and whilst quieter last week so was most of the team. In these two games i also highlighted the performance of Fagan. For me Jones performed the better of the 2. Whilst Syers is a good player surely its better to have him have to earn his place unless Jones had not performed, which i think personally he had. Its okay saying its good to have competition for places but only IF it is an actual competition, thus based on form. The management of some of these situations has been highlighted by myself before.e.g. when PP first took over he replaced some of our own players with his loans. Its bad for morale and if you were Jones you would be a little peeved.

On radio L**ds after the game tonight they mentioned someone called WAYNUS texting in questioning Fagan getting a game. I was only recently pointing this out to (our) waynus that Fagan wasn't performing well enough and yet did not appear to get the same scrutiny that Compton was at the time. Fagan is consistently under-performing. Why is he taking free-kicks all the time when most of them are poor or hit the first man?

Its easy to see where conspiracy stories come from as to some agenda going-on behind the scenes. For instance why bring in Smalley before seeing what Stewart can do? Is this a genuine decision by the manager, or done for fear of paying compensation, or just that Lawn has he stated doesn't rate the squad built by Jackson? Parkinson has barely seen anything of Stewart in games to make a valued judgement. Unless parkinson is basing everything on Stewart in training.

Another concern is that our recent loan additions appear to be having a trail of sorts in actual games. Rather like the Reed loan before them Parkinson talks them up but from what we've seen, albeit limited, are these players that Parkinson has watched and targeted. If so dint he realise that Haworth can't/won't cross and appears to be scared of been touched ;-). Seriously though what is the direction and/or plan? Rhodes has talked of everything aiming for next season. My concern is someone like Davies in reality won't be here. The development squad has gone silent. We are acquiring a team of loans again, which whilst it alllows you to look at a player does incur some costs, unsettles your own team members and if the player does well may end up somewhere else anyway.

Our concern is to stay up still. Parkinson's record is not very good stats wise but if we could see the semblance of a decent side been brought together then fans would be prepared to wait and see. just lately though this is difficult to judge has the team is propped up week by week with loan players and untill this policy is abandoned, (which i thought we were told by the board in the summer it was) it will always be difficult to build a team spirit and/or consistency.

bahamianbantam wrote:
Another Saturday, another dreadful result. PP 5 wins in twenty odd games - strange how MM at Bristol has already won half as many games in three!

Make no mistake this PP team is absolutely dire - I thought 2-0 but City never surprise. BSP is where we are headed - a false dawn in December - no wins in 2012.

The sad thing is that on paper squad looks sound but on pitch clueless. God help us without Davies next season will equally be dire.

Judging by your user name you don't get the opportunity to go to games, so how can you possibly comment that the team is dire?

If you had been to recent games, you would've seen us outplay both Crewe and Shrewsbury, and we should've also beat Morcambe and Burton.

I bet some people have been dying for us to lose over the last few weeks, so they can come on here and have a good moan.

We just need to be more clinical; stop conceding sloppy goals, and learn to finish teams off when we are on top.

Hopefully we'll also start to get the rub of the green with key decisions.

If I were Parkinson, I'd be making a call to the ref, getting him to admit he made a mistake in denying a stonewall penalty against Reid; I can hear Alan Hansen ringing in my ears as I type.

The last comment from Bradford 1903 apart - how unrealistic are all you posters on here? Unbelievable! A blind man can see that we have a good team now and we are clearly going to win more games than we lose over the remainder of the season. 1 loss today and the doom and gloom merchants are out in force! Today was our 2nd loss in 9 games and if that isn't a sign of improvement then I don't know what is. How many teams in any division are going to go 9 games unbeaten? Even the teams at the top of the Premier would be pushed to achieve that - so please for god's sake get a grip on reality! City WILL beat Crawley next week. I suspect the vast majority of those who have posted on here tonight will not be posting this time next week - there will be nothing negative for them to say!

doubledigiter wrote:
The last comment from Bradford 1903 apart - how unrealistic are all you posters on here? Unbelievable! A blind man can see that we have a good team now and we are clearly going to win more games than we lose over the remainder of the season. 1 loss today and the doom and gloom merchants are out in force! Today was our 2nd loss in 9 games and if that isn't a sign of improvement then I don't know what is. How many teams in any division are going to go 9 games unbeaten? Even the teams at the top of the Premier would be pushed to achieve that - so please for god's sake get a grip on reality! City WILL beat Crawley next week. I suspect the vast majority of those who have posted on here tonight will not be posting this time next week - there will be nothing negative for them to say!

Three cheers for someone that talks sense! Every time I pop on for a read of the comments, it's all negative rubbish and I agree with everything you have posted. We will win more than we lose and we DO! have a good squad of players. But for some reason, this subject of ending up in the Blue Square seems to crop up if we have a bad game.Did any of you hear Uncle Archies comments when he first joined City?? He stated, and I quote... Bradford City afc. are a championship club playing in Lg/2. We plan to be playing in the Championship within 5yrs. So this season is all about rebuilding and we will finish mid table. Next season, WE WILL WIN PROMOTION. Those were his words.

I've been to most away games this season and I can honestly say that Bristol Rovers were the worst 'home' team I have seen this season....(apart from us on occasions that is!)..they were awful and there for the taking, but make no mistake...they were still better than us and deserved to win.
Having said that, the 'non' penalty decision was a disgrace, an absolute stonewaller.
But as they say....you earn your rewards in the game and we certainly didn't deserve to earn anything from this game.

I look at some of the comments on here and wonder what planet some people are on. Yes, there are some valid points made occasionally in some of the postings, but some are unbelievably, unnecessarily and unjustifiably negative. We played a Bristol team that had beaten top of the league Cheltenham 2-0 on their own pitch last week and we had them panicking - time-wasting 20 minutes from the end at their own corners - against 10 men! They were grateful to get a win and that was only because the referee was the only person in the ground that did not see that as a stonewall penalty (forget the lino - they flag about ten seconds afetr the referee blows usually). The first goal looked to be a nudge by their forward (not a claim for offside as stated in this report) but you could perhaps forgive the referee for that one because he would not have seen that from his position and the replay on TV was not clear either but you could see it from behind the goal where I was. The mistake from Andrew Davies was unfortunate as he has been a colussus for us and it was out of character - he almost made up for it when the keeper made a fantastic save near the end. The sending off was ridiculous - Kozluc misjudged the ball and it bounced over his head. He was not looking at their player and did not intentionally impede him, so it should not have been a booking. The home crowd and the player falling down easily influenced the referee. The 10 men fought extremely well and, of course, let them get a couple of chances they would not have got because we were pushing up all the time for a result. Credit where it's due - they did deserve a point for that response and clearly outplayed Bristol's 11. City have some good players in the squad but what I think is the biggest problem is the constant changing - and I know some of it is unavoidable because of injuries and suspensions. I may be wrong but I think we have only had the same starting eleven in consecutive games once this season. In December when Ramsden made a brief return and we had a consistent back five for a few games, the defence tightened up, conceded only two goals and were unbeaten in the league. As soon as the defence was broken up through injuries, we started conceding goals again and stopped winning. Until we can get a settled team on the pitch consistently and we can find out what our best eleven is and get a pattern of play, we're going to have these ups and downs and inconsistent performances. Teams get promoted from this league with settled teams - playing less than twenty players all season. We're not going to do that when we have a different eleven every week and players constantly coming and going.

TIME FOR MORE LOAN SIGNINGS!!!.
Go on "PARKY" you know you want to!!

Hi 1903 - you are right I don't get to many games but was one of the hundred or so at Southend and seen them beat Northampton and draw with Burton.

Yes City did outplay both Shrewsbury and Crewe (good job we did) but after that great result at Southend when we looked a team - although I think we were fortunate to take all three points - the performance against Burton was poor although conditions were bad. I can't remember four passes strung together never mind half a dozen.

Sadly the facts speak for themselves just five wins in 22 - of those five wins - - a ground out 1-0 over a poor Torquay, a hard fought win over freefall Northampton with the help of a dubious penalty and a shinned winner from Oliver. Yes we could say we should be a few points better off had we held onto the lead in last two home games but then we have also grabbed late equalizers against Morecambe, Rovers and Southend.

Fact of matter is despite virtually changing majority of team - we look no more likely to win than we did last season. We are on course for 46 points - Lincoln were relegated with 47. We just might be lucky that Northampton, Daggers and Plymouth or even Hereford might continue to do badly but we should not rely on this.

All the happy posters saying we will win more games than we lose from now in are seemingly oblivious to the track record.

I would love to see City repeat the demolitions of Crewe and Shrews but they seem the exception rather than the rule. Our away form is absolutely dismal - if we can get something against Crawley next week we can start talking about home as a fortress but don't hold your breath.

As for the team - clearly injuries to Rammers and Oliver have had a negative impact. I would play Syers instead of Fagan or Wells with Ravenhill and Jones/Flynn. However every team has a few injury problems we just seem to be fated and can't seem to cope.

Agree with all posters about loanees and what of Scott Brown and the other development players? We are lurching once again towards journeymen pros who haven't cut it - at least with youngsters you might just get something going.

Worried. Very worried. Deja vu? When we were relegated from Championship we beat Norwich away 1-0!

Well this will be my last contribution to this column. Same old drivel from the idiots that call themselves Bradford City Fans. A win next weekend against a top of the table side and all those who call the team on this Forum will have redder faces that the City Claret. Why would anyone want Rambo out when he has played he looks class. As for Fagan was one of our best players against Burton. Compton has gone get used to it. When we get Ramsden,Reid,Davis,S
yers and Flynn back we will go on a run of wins.
So all your negative statements will go down well. You are making this club a laughing stock with your rubbish you lot post do City a favour and go watch LUUDs

It's all doom and gloom. The ship is sinking......

Come on get real. It seems we were the better team again. The last 10 games or so (league games) we have been the better team (take out Rotherham away which ought to have been a draw but for 10 mins of madness.) We obviously still need to be more consistant with the final ball and taking the chances when they appear.

These improvements will undoubtedly keep us well clear of relegation. Yes we are not of the woods yet, but look at the positives. Parkinson's signings in general are better quality than that of Jacko's. I do think Compton should have been stayed, however we offered him until the end of the season, he didn't like the terms on offer and he's gone. Deal with it. Compton should share some of the blame too for not agreeing terms.

It wouldn't surprise me if we beat Crawley next week. They will play open/attacking style of football and this always helps us. Reid will no doubt start and he will have an impact. Hopefully Oliver is back too.

Come on people. Just find it in yourselves to be a bit more optimistic. You never know you might just like it. And your optimism might just spread to the person next to you at games, which in turn may pass onto the person next to them. Before you know it there will a feel good factor spreading through the stands. Players will want to play in that sort of atmosphere. Negativity only impacts the other way. Don't let it get back to the days of Taylor. Remember those days....now that was doom and gloom.

If the pen had been given and we scored then PP and the team would be getting plaudits for a plucky draw with ten men. As it is the same 'plucky' ten are dismissed as not good enough. This despite Reid making the team of the week in less than half a game and the Brizzle keeper being the keeper of the week in the same team.
We can't win em all but if it hinged on the giving or denying of a pen then I'd be less inclined to have a go at our own and be prepared to blast crawley and the expected **** officials we'll get next week.

dannbradfc wrote:
After our little run of victories just a short while ago i did not foresee that we would be only 5 points from relegation area by the end of January. I expected us to begin winning enough home points to see us be nearer mid-table. However some of this was part desperation rather than reasoned assessment. In just this short time we have lost a winger more than capable of performing in this league and acquired one decent midfielder (ravenhill) and four questions marks. have we improved the squad?

As isaid last week it was no surprise to see Jones make way today. Parkinson appears to make an early decision on players and then no matter how they perform they are either in favour or not.

In our recent two home games i gave Jones the mom in the first and whilst quieter last week so was most of the team. In these two games i also highlighted the performance of Fagan. For me Jones performed the better of the 2. Whilst Syers is a good player surely its better to have him have to earn his place unless Jones had not performed, which i think personally he had. Its okay saying its good to have competition for places but only IF it is an actual competition, thus based on form. The management of some of these situations has been highlighted by myself before.e.g. when PP first took over he replaced some of our own players with his loans. Its bad for morale and if you were Jones you would be a little peeved.

On radio L**ds after the game tonight they mentioned someone called WAYNUS texting in questioning Fagan getting a game. I was only recently pointing this out to (our) waynus that Fagan wasn't performing well enough and yet did not appear to get the same scrutiny that Compton was at the time. Fagan is consistently under-performing. Why is he taking free-kicks all the time when most of them are poor or hit the first man?

Its easy to see where conspiracy stories come from as to some agenda going-on behind the scenes. For instance why bring in Smalley before seeing what Stewart can do? Is this a genuine decision by the manager, or done for fear of paying compensation, or just that Lawn has he stated doesn't rate the squad built by Jackson? Parkinson has barely seen anything of Stewart in games to make a valued judgement. Unless parkinson is basing everything on Stewart in training.

Another concern is that our recent loan additions appear to be having a trail of sorts in actual games. Rather like the Reed loan before them Parkinson talks them up but from what we've seen, albeit limited, are these players that Parkinson has watched and targeted. If so dint he realise that Haworth can't/won't cross and appears to be scared of been touched ;-). Seriously though what is the direction and/or plan? Rhodes has talked of everything aiming for next season. My concern is someone like Davies in reality won't be here. The development squad has gone silent. We are acquiring a team of loans again, which whilst it alllows you to look at a player does incur some costs, unsettles your own team members and if the player does well may end up somewhere else anyway.

Our concern is to stay up still. Parkinson's record is not very good stats wise but if we could see the semblance of a decent side been brought together then fans would be prepared to wait and see. just lately though this is difficult to judge has the team is propped up week by week with loan players and untill this policy is abandoned, (which i thought we were told by the board in the summer it was) it will always be difficult to build a team spirit and/or consistency.

An excellent, reasoned and accurate post.

We are rooted in the lower reaches of Division 2, whilst clubs with far less resouces look down on us.

PP has been supported by the Chairmen in bringing new faces to the club on an almost weekly basis.

I don't think he's ever going to stop tinkering with the team.

Without a settled side, we're always going to struggle. Whilst I really like PP, I don't think we've any future with him. As dann says, how must Jones feel after his recent performances, to see himself dropped to accomodate Syers coming straight back after suspension.

Some players aren't/haven't been given a semblance of a chance while inferior loan players walk straight in the team, and the likes of Fagan keeps his place regardless of his performances.

The Taylor, Haworth, Atkinson loan fiascos just seem to highlight that Parky has lost the plot.

If I were the Chairmen, I know what I'd be doing now.......

The football this season has been much better than last season regardless of our current position. Last season there were players who definately did not want to put a days work in for the cause, some did not want to work at all. However, the squad we have now has a good work ethic. This season is about building a team for next season. I do believe that we are now building a good platform to build a team able to climb out of this division next season. Whilst the team is evolving, make the Saturday afternoon experience an enjoyable one. Every supporter preferrs to be part of a good football atmosphere, rather than one that just sulks and barks out negativity. Positive posters don't leave, instead swamp this column with your worthwhile comments designed to lift the club and other supporters..

PP talks a good talk on the radio but unfortunately thats about where it stays. Same old rubbish on the pitch, Same old hype by some of the more deluded contributors on here, soon be climbing up the tables as squad is great on paper. Trouble is if they were any better they wouldn't be at VP. Oh dear

bahamianbantam wrote:
Hi 1903 - you are right I don't get to many games but was one of the hundred or so at Southend and seen them beat Northampton and draw with Burton. Yes City did outplay both Shrewsbury and Crewe (good job we did) but after that great result at Southend when we looked a team - although I think we were fortunate to take all three points - the performance against Burton was poor although conditions were bad. I can't remember four passes strung together never mind half a dozen. Sadly the facts speak for themselves just five wins in 22 - of those five wins - - a ground out 1-0 over a poor Torquay, a hard fought win over freefall Northampton with the help of a dubious penalty and a shinned winner from Oliver. Yes we could say we should be a few points better off had we held onto the lead in last two home games but then we have also grabbed late equalizers against Morecambe, Rovers and Southend. Fact of matter is despite virtually changing majority of team - we look no more likely to win than we did last season. We are on course for 46 points - Lincoln were relegated with 47. We just might be lucky that Northampton, Daggers and Plymouth or even Hereford might continue to do badly but we should not rely on this. All the happy posters saying we will win more games than we lose from now in are seemingly oblivious to the track record. I would love to see City repeat the demolitions of Crewe and Shrews but they seem the exception rather than the rule. Our away form is absolutely dismal - if we can get something against Crawley next week we can start talking about home as a fortress but don't hold your breath. As for the team - clearly injuries to Rammers and Oliver have had a negative impact. I would play Syers instead of Fagan or Wells with Ravenhill and Jones/Flynn. However every team has a few injury problems we just seem to be fated and can't seem to cope. Agree with all posters about loanees and what of Scott Brown and the other development players? We are lurching once again towards journeymen pros who haven't cut it - at least with youngsters you might just get something going. Worried. Very worried. Deja vu? When we were relegated from Championship we beat Norwich away 1-0!

I Agree with your statement that we may be lucky that Northampton,Daggers and Plymouth or Hereford might continue to do badly
but again the facts are that we won 2points in Jan compared to:
Northampton 4
Plmouth 4
Daggers 4
Hereford 7
Therefore lets accept the situation we find ourselves in at the moment.
As for loosing only 2 of the last 9 games that is like creative accountancy -
Recent (January) results are 2 defeats in 4.
Trying hard to be optimistic i am sure PP will find his best starting eleven before the season ends and will keep us up with the continuing help of the supporters.
With the large squad we have i am sure he will find suitable replacements from within for players out with injury, if not expect more loan deals to ensure we continue to consolidate and build for the next season.

eebygum wrote:
Well this will be my last contribution to this column. Same old drivel from the idiots that call themselves Bradford City Fans. A win next weekend against a top of the table side and all those who call the team on this Forum will have redder faces that the City Claret. Why would anyone want Rambo out when he has played he looks class. As for Fagan was one of our best players against Burton. Compton has gone get used to it. When we get Ramsden,Reid,Davis,S yers and Flynn back we will go on a run of wins. So all your negative statements will go down well. You are making this club a laughing stock with your rubbish you lot post do City a favour and go watch LUUDs

TRUST ME.........YOU WONT BE MISSED!!

For what it is worth, I am going to add my points. I can see both sides to this debate (positivity or negative comments).
.
Firstly, yes, we may have lost just 2 out of our last 8 league games, BUT how many points have we collected since the turn of the year? 2 from a possible 12 is simply not good enough, regardless of how positive you want to remain.
.
HOWEVER, it isn't all doom and gloom. We had a pretty consistent side in December and it reaped rewards, but then injuries took their toll. Oliver has been immense this season and was always going to be missed. Rammers came back into the side and we suddenly looked stronger at the back. Most sides in this league would miss players of their calibre. What's PP supposed to do?
.
I also understand the comments regarding Jones being dropped for Syers and I said as much, when the team sheet was first announced. HOWEVER, as an attacking threat, Syers is the better player and most on here have been clamouring for his return for months...! Jones must be feeling unlucky to have been dropped, but he wasn't dropped for just anyone, he was dropped for our best attacking midfielder. Who scored our goal by the way? Could you honestly say that Jones would have been on the end of that chance?
.
The only issues I have are on the right-wing (yes Dann, it was my text you heard on Radio Leeds) and up front. For all those that defend Fagan, I simply do not see what he brings to the party. He doesn't beat his man, rarely gets a ball past the first defender and when we attack on the left, he is never in the penalty area at the back stick (as I would expect him to be). Stewart has played that role for us this season and has done a decent job. We have now signed Will Atkinson, who is a right-footed, right-winger. Why not let him play there yesterday and play either Howarth, Taylor or Reid on the left. PP could even have given Rowe a game to see how he performs in a league game. Afterall, we heard rave reviews from his loan spell and that is only one league away from where we are!!
.
My other issue is with regard to the subs. We have signed Smalley, supposedly to give cover for Hanson. However, to accommodate him in the squad, Hannah loses his place. Now, Wells is a decent young player, but yesterday he simply wasn't at the races. There were umpteen times when Hanson won headers, but Wells simply didn't anticpate. How we could have done with replacing him with Hannah to see if he would read those flick-ons any better. The options imply wasn't there.....!
.
And as for those positive fans that point to the fact we should have had a penalty, can I just remind them that they hit the woodwork and also had a penalty turned down. Had it been given and scored, they would have been two up at half time and three-nil just after the restart.
.
That said, as I pointed out at the start, I don't think we are a million miles away and certainly not worth sliting wrists for. It aint that bad. We have a problem next week with Kozluk out and Rammers still nursing a broken toe (how he can get stick for that is unbelievable by the way). I assume that Seip will switch flanks with one of Threlfall, Taylor or O'B brought back to replace him (my choice would be Robbie). Hopefully, we will have Oliver back to partner Davies and Reid fit to start on the left. In the middle, I would keep Syers and Ravenhill together as this is our best pairing, just leaving a question mark on how right. Personally, I would start Atkinson on his natural wing and see how things go. I would persevere with Hanson and Wells, but would recall Hannah to the bench together with Fagan, Duke, Taylor and Mitchell.
.
Is it really that bad?????

Prisoner Cell Block A wrote:
If the pen had been given and we scored then PP and the team would be getting plaudits for a plucky draw with ten men. As it is the same 'plucky' ten are dismissed as not good enough. This despite Reid making the team of the week in less than half a game and the Brizzle keeper being the keeper of the week in the same team. We can't win em all but if it hinged on the giving or denying of a pen then I'd be less inclined to have a go at our own and be prepared to blast crawley and the expected **** officials we'll get next week.

Probably quite the opposite....the 'plucky' ten men were more than good enough and better than the 11 men we started with, unfortunately by the time we had ten men on the pitch we were also 2 0 down with only 20 odd minutes to go, the problem was it took that for us to come out and start having a go at them, but unfortunately it was to little too late and we didnt get the blatant pen at the end to nick what would have been a fortunate point. It is also fair to say they had a good shout for one too so the match could have been out of sight.

We just didnt come out of the blocks again for some reason but when we did we showed we can be capable.

bahamianbantam wrote:
Hi 1903 - you are right I don't get to many games but was one of the hundred or so at Southend and seen them beat Northampton and draw with Burton.

Yes City did outplay both Shrewsbury and Crewe (good job we did) but after that great result at Southend when we looked a team - although I think we were fortunate to take all three points - the performance against Burton was poor although conditions were bad. I can't remember four passes strung together never mind half a dozen.

Sadly the facts speak for themselves just five wins in 22 - of those five wins - - a ground out 1-0 over a poor Torquay, a hard fought win over freefall Northampton with the help of a dubious penalty and a shinned winner from Oliver. Yes we could say we should be a few points better off had we held onto the lead in last two home games but then we have also grabbed late equalizers against Morecambe, Rovers and Southend.

Fact of matter is despite virtually changing majority of team - we look no more likely to win than we did last season. We are on course for 46 points - Lincoln were relegated with 47. We just might be lucky that Northampton, Daggers and Plymouth or even Hereford might continue to do badly but we should not rely on this.

All the happy posters saying we will win more games than we lose from now in are seemingly oblivious to the track record.

I would love to see City repeat the demolitions of Crewe and Shrews but they seem the exception rather than the rule. Our away form is absolutely dismal - if we can get something against Crawley next week we can start talking about home as a fortress but don't hold your breath.

As for the team - clearly injuries to Rammers and Oliver have had a negative impact. I would play Syers instead of Fagan or Wells with Ravenhill and Jones/Flynn. However every team has a few injury problems we just seem to be fated and can't seem to cope.

Agree with all posters about loanees and what of Scott Brown and the other development players? We are lurching once again towards journeymen pros who haven't cut it - at least with youngsters you might just get something going.

Worried. Very worried. Deja vu? When we were relegated from Championship we beat Norwich away 1-0!

From the Southend game, there has been a definite upturn in performances, and if we carry on in a similar vein, we'll comfortably escape relegation.

Burton was a tough game, as they were on a bad run, so made themselves difficult to break down, but we still had enough chances to comfortably win the game.

You don't often see good football in this division; it's about hard work and organisation that invariably wins you games, which is what Parkinson is trying to instill in the players.

As for the development squad, then surely people didn't expect them to be in the 1st team within 6 months. It's a long term project, and I suggest we'll only start to see the benefits of it next season.

maybe Mitchell will get a run at right back;cannot understand why Fagan plays (is it part of his contract he has to play every game)

to my mind it would have been to play Jones and have a much stronger midfield ##OTHER TEAMS PLAY 4-5-1 AWAY@ we seem not to do that.

is it significant that results have gone backward since Flynn fell ill?

HUDDERSFILED close to selling JORDAN AND WILL USE 25% OF ANY FEE RECEIVED TO MAKE A BID FOR HANSON.

That's what I was told last night: plus look at the words used by John Hendrie and read between the lines

ALEXIMO.56. wrote:

doubledigiter wrote: The last comment from Bradford 1903 apart - how unrealistic are all you posters on here? Unbelievable! A blind man can see that we have a good team now and we are clearly going to win more games than we lose over the remainder of the season. 1 loss today and the doom and gloom merchants are out in force! Today was our 2nd loss in 9 games and if that isn't a sign of improvement then I don't know what is. How many teams in any division are going to go 9 games unbeaten? Even the teams at the top of the Premier would be pushed to achieve that - so please for god's sake get a grip on reality! City WILL beat Crawley next week. I suspect the vast majority of those who have posted on here tonight will not be posting this time next week - there will be nothing negative for them to say!

Three cheers for someone that talks sense! Every time I pop on for a read of the comments, it's all negative rubbish and I agree with everything you have posted. We will win more than we lose and we DO! have a good squad of players. But for some reason, this subject of ending up in the Blue Square seems to crop up if we have a bad game.Did any of you hear Uncle Archies comments when he first joined City?? He stated, and I quote... Bradford City afc. are a championship club playing in Lg/2. We plan to be playing in the Championship within 5yrs. So this season is all about rebuilding and we will finish mid table. Next season, WE WILL WIN PROMOTION. Those were his words.

I hope so but you can understand that fans have been hearing this re-building talk season after season. My concern is that there was a plan of sorts in place that appears to have been ripped up and we are back to the loan system again. What we again in a position of is assembling yet another squad (on the cheap) that we hope will gel over the summer. Is that realistic?

Furthermore the likes of Davies won't be here so how many new players will we need?

If by what you say we basically abandoned this season before it had really started, why shouldn't fans also 'abandon' the club as it were. Indeed we were down to 9,000 + last home game. The board wants/needs to be very careful in how many re-building seasons they have.

Ultimately the board need to take responsibility for the way this season has panned out. There have been alot of resignations and people leaving the club, our original plans and squad effectively getting replaced, a return to the continual failing loan system and little activity with the development squad.

Any rebuilding of the squad surely cannot contain one month loanee's? Whats was needed was to continue what had begun with Jackson. The only other option now is to RISK the financial status of the club by buying a team in the summer. This as been hinted at by Rhodes e.g. saving the money for next season.

Smaller squads with a team of their own players and thus a team spirit are performing better each year than our attempts. Thus the board are very responsible in my eyes for what is effectively another season 'abandoned' and or given up on..........they are risking the fans doing likewise........

Waynus1971 wrote:
For what it is worth, I am going to add my points. I can see both sides to this debate (positivity or negative comments). . Firstly, yes, we may have lost just 2 out of our last 8 league games, BUT how many points have we collected since the turn of the year? 2 from a possible 12 is simply not good enough, regardless of how positive you want to remain. . HOWEVER, it isn't all doom and gloom. We had a pretty consistent side in December and it reaped rewards, but then injuries took their toll. Oliver has been immense this season and was always going to be missed. Rammers came back into the side and we suddenly looked stronger at the back. Most sides in this league would miss players of their calibre. What's PP supposed to do? . I also understand the comments regarding Jones being dropped for Syers and I said as much, when the team sheet was first announced. HOWEVER, as an attacking threat, Syers is the better player and most on here have been clamouring for his return for months...! Jones must be feeling unlucky to have been dropped, but he wasn't dropped for just anyone, he was dropped for our best attacking midfielder. Who scored our goal by the way? Could you honestly say that Jones would have been on the end of that chance? . The only issues I have are on the right-wing (yes Dann, it was my text you heard on Radio Leeds) and up front. For all those that defend Fagan, I simply do not see what he brings to the party. He doesn't beat his man, rarely gets a ball past the first defender and when we attack on the left, he is never in the penalty area at the back stick (as I would expect him to be). Stewart has played that role for us this season and has done a decent job. We have now signed Will Atkinson, who is a right-footed, right-winger. Why not let him play there yesterday and play either Howarth, Taylor or Reid on the left. PP could even have given Rowe a game to see how he performs in a league game. Afterall, we heard rave reviews from his loan spell and that is only one league away from where we are!! . My other issue is with regard to the subs. We have signed Smalley, supposedly to give cover for Hanson. However, to accommodate him in the squad, Hannah loses his place. Now, Wells is a decent young player, but yesterday he simply wasn't at the races. There were umpteen times when Hanson won headers, but Wells simply didn't anticpate. How we could have done with replacing him with Hannah to see if he would read those flick-ons any better. The options imply wasn't there.....! . And as for those positive fans that point to the fact we should have had a penalty, can I just remind them that they hit the woodwork and also had a penalty turned down. Had it been given and scored, they would have been two up at half time and three-nil just after the restart. . That said, as I pointed out at the start, I don't think we are a million miles away and certainly not worth sliting wrists for. It aint that bad. We have a problem next week with Kozluk out and Rammers still nursing a broken toe (how he can get stick for that is unbelievable by the way). I assume that Seip will switch flanks with one of Threlfall, Taylor or O'B brought back to replace him (my choice would be Robbie). Hopefully, we will have Oliver back to partner Davies and Reid fit to start on the left. In the middle, I would keep Syers and Ravenhill together as this is our best pairing, just leaving a question mark on how right. Personally, I would start Atkinson on his natural wing and see how things go. I would persevere with Hanson and Wells, but would recall Hannah to the bench together with Fagan, Duke, Taylor and Mitchell. . Is it really that bad?????

Why not play Mitchell at right back? i'm surprised this wasn't done before using more expense for Kuzlock. Still he is the last of the scottish contingent and has been frozen out imo.

As for Syers i agree he is our most attcking threat. Just feel that it would have been better to introduce him from the bench. management is off the field too and some of our own players must be bemused as to what goes on each week.

the squad is huge in comparison to some clubs yet we still feel the need to use the loan market. If we are aiming (yet again) for next season we need to give the lads on the books a fair crack to **** them and move on the one's who fail. e.g. give Rowe a chance, as Stewrat should have had, Mitchell at right back, etc.

We can only hope PP does have a plan in place. If you read my other post the board also must take agreat responsibility as well. they are sanctioning some of these decisions. Conspiracists would say that Lawn is even directing it ;-). Point is we abandoned this season very early and have had 2 seasons in one with little improvement. I can appreciate we must ensure that we stay up first and foremost but some of these loans have been ridiculous. Reed and Taylor are good examples of wasted resources. We could have coped without both of them.

The only area we look secure in for me is central midfield. Davies is to good to stay thus we still have a long buld ahead for next season. then we will be again reliant on having an whole new squad gel. there is no consistency in anything we do......