Bradford City boss Parkinson plans more defence spending (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

I think the age factor will count against Andy getting signed,
skilled as he was.

I'm all for improving the defence but we have been missing a really creative midfielder for some time.
In Wells and Hanson we have the making of a good forward line, our back four appears to be taking shape too but I have reservations about the state of our midfield and we need more of a plan than just hitting it to Reid, someon on the right would he a nice addition.

Thee Voice of Reason wrote:
I'm all for improving the defence but we have been missing a really creative midfielder for some time.
In Wells and Hanson we have the making of a good forward line, our back four appears to be taking shape too but I have reservations about the state of our midfield and we need more of a plan than just hitting it to Reid, someon on the right would he a nice addition.

Be patient PP has made 2 very good signing upto now but he like the rest of us knows we still require around 5-6 players including a right sided midfielder/winger and if Olly and Syers dont sign we need 7-8 new faces.

I would like to see a top notch keeper sign. Although I do rate Jonny Mac I don't think he's great......let's get a top notch keeper behind Davies and Matt Mcardle and we'll be laughing - maybe one with real experience who isn't quite good enough for the highest level anymore.
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I believe we are talking to an excellent winger so fingers crossed.

Garry Thompson, ex-Morecambe, Scunthorpe is rumoured to be a target, he has just been released by Scunny.

Parky said:-

“We’re working on several areas to improve the squad as a whole."

Am I delighted to read this comment. Further delighted to have already bought my TWO Season Tickets. I do not 'Play at Manager' but very pleased with 'Parky's ' progress to date.
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I feel certain there are more signings and re-signings to occur. It augers well for the forthcoming Season.
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10 DAYS TO THE FIXTURE LIST ANNOUNCEMENTS.
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Prisoner Cell Block A wrote:
Garry Thompson, ex-Morecambe, Scunthorpe is rumoured to be a target, he has just been released by Scunny.

The one who turned his back on McCall at the last minute for Scunthorpe.

I heard this too.

Found this a bit of a strange article really...

Considering we haven't any full backs at the club its not really surprising that Parky hasn't finished his defensive recruitment is it??

We then seem to have a totally different stance on the Andy Gray story...Going from 2 major headlines about it (first just before season ticket deadline, or am I been cynical), and being told we were waiting on a decision from him by the middle of this week just gone, too something vastly more watered down to "we've had a chat and theres no more too it than that"?

Its pretty obvious the signings will come with our threadbare squad so maybe we can do some investigative journalism that fans are particularly interested in at the moment, and get an update from Parky on Oliver Syers Ramsden and even Mark Stewart instead of talking about Andy Gray anymore, who I dont think anyones that excited about anyway.

northyorksbantam wrote:
Found this a bit of a strange article really...

Considering we haven't any full backs at the club its not really surprising that Parky hasn't finished his defensive recruitment is it??

We then seem to have a totally different stance on the Andy Gray story...Going from 2 major headlines about it (first just before season ticket deadline, or am I been cynical), and being told we were waiting on a decision from him by the middle of this week just gone, too something vastly more watered down to "we've had a chat and theres no more too it than that"?

Its pretty obvious the signings will come with our threadbare squad so maybe we can do some investigative journalism that fans are particularly interested in at the moment, and get an update from Parky on Oliver Syers Ramsden and even Mark Stewart instead of talking about Andy Gray anymore, who I dont think anyones that excited about anyway.

Yes it's gone quiet about Andy Gray, and perhaps it's a backhanded way of giving him a nudge speaking about him in the papers. Please also remember the days before the internet, Facebook & Twitter and the weeks of silence in the T&A about anything to do with City in the summer, our insaciable demand for news these days only dilutes the stories that are there already, and we stir up those that aren't. I however much prefer to hear something rather than nothing even if it's a twist on an old story. CTID

Saw Robbie Blake rumour on Twitter last night from well informed Trotter. Suggests 2 year contract. Any thoughts?

citywin10 wrote:
Saw Robbie Blake rumour on Twitter last night from well informed Trotter. Suggests 2 year contract. Any thoughts?

2 year deal for a player who is 36 years of age.

Where does this rubbish come from?

Thee Voice of Reason wrote:

citywin10 wrote:
Saw Robbie Blake rumour on Twitter last night from well informed Trotter. Suggests 2 year contract. Any thoughts?

2 year deal for a player who is 36 years of age.

Where does this rubbish come from?

Why not give players of a certain age 1 year rolling contracts - Look at Kevin Phillips at Blackpool or Kevin Davies at Bolton.It seems silly not to sign a player of a certain age when he can obviously do a job for the team,and there isn't the commitment with wages with a 1 year deal in place.

Comfynumb wrote:

Thee Voice of Reason wrote:

citywin10 wrote:
Saw Robbie Blake rumour on Twitter last night from well informed Trotter. Suggests 2 year contract. Any thoughts?

2 year deal for a player who is 36 years of age.

Where does this rubbish come from?

Why not give players of a certain age 1 year rolling contracts - Look at Kevin Phillips at Blackpool or Kevin Davies at Bolton.It seems silly not to sign a player of a certain age when he can obviously do a job for the team,and there isn't the commitment with wages with a 1 year deal in place.

The offer could include a coaching role.

Thee Voice of Reason wrote:

citywin10 wrote:
Saw Robbie Blake rumour on Twitter last night from well informed Trotter. Suggests 2 year contract. Any thoughts?

2 year deal for a player who is 36 years of age.

Where does this rubbish come from?

Same place your rubbish comes from. Your anus.

I'm new to this sort of thing, but I trust Parky, like the sound of the new guys, and I guess I would also really like to see Blakey back.
Also Beags, Palin and Thommo.
And Tumble.
And Marco Sas.
(Maybe not Torps though...)

Parkinsons 'shopping' should be limited to Morrisons and perhaps best time to shop for him would be on a Saturday afternoon especially during the season.

northyorksbantam wrote:
Found this a bit of a strange article really...

Considering we haven't any full backs at the club its not really surprising that Parky hasn't finished his defensive recruitment is it??

We then seem to have a totally different stance on the Andy Gray story...Going from 2 major headlines about it (first just before season ticket deadline, or am I been cynical), and being told we were waiting on a decision from him by the middle of this week just gone, too something vastly more watered down to "we've had a chat and theres no more too it than that"?

Its pretty obvious the signings will come with our threadbare squad so maybe we can do some investigative journalism that fans are particularly interested in at the moment, and get an update from Parky on Oliver Syers Ramsden and even Mark Stewart instead of talking about Andy Gray anymore, who I dont think anyones that excited about anyway.

I'm with you on this post. I mentioned the same thing on another story, just a few days ago. With Ramsden yet to sign his deal and Fry/Seip released (albeit, Fry invited back for pre-season), we OBVIOUSLY need to strengthen our back-line further.
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PP claimed today, that Oliver has been on hols and has just returned. He is now considering the contract offer made. Personally, I don't understand why he didn't review whilst on holiday.
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As for Ramsden, Syers and Wells, it is looking increasingly likely that they aren't going to re-sign, with the first 2 named, leaving our club.
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There is a lot of work to do yet as we don't yet have a team, let alone a squad....! How some can predict a good season without a team in place amuses me.
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Finally, PP was quoted on the radio this morning as saying we have a decent budget to work with, but it certainly isn't near the top5 in our league. He says he will have to be smart and get the right players signed up at the right price.
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I must admit, I am becoming a little impatient in the lack of new signings or news on existing players.

Waynus1971 says...
12:09am Sat 9 Jun 12

""I must admit, I am becoming a little impatient in the lack of new signings or news on existing players.”""

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Patience is a Virtue
Seldom found in Woman
and NEVER in a Man !!!
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Come on our Waynus --you know better at this stage of the Close Season!.
PATIENCE PLEASE!!!
*

Onebrianmitchell wrote:

Thee Voice of Reason wrote:

citywin10 wrote:
Saw Robbie Blake rumour on Twitter last night from well informed Trotter. Suggests 2 year contract. Any thoughts?

2 year deal for a player who is 36 years of age.

Where does this rubbish come from?

Same place your rubbish comes from. Your anus.

I have to admin I could crap a better rumour. Why is everyone who has played with us since 1996 slowly being linked again. The number of players that have been with us twice in the last 30 years is barely in the double figures, yet so far I have heard of 4 who are supposed to be coming back.

Freddy wrote:
Waynus1971 says...
12:09am Sat 9 Jun 12

""I must admit, I am becoming a little impatient in the lack of new signings or news on existing players.”""

*
Patience is a Virtue
Seldom found in Woman
and NEVER in a Man !!!
*
Come on our Waynus --you know better at this stage of the Close Season!.
PATIENCE PLEASE!!!
*

Yes Freddy, patience is a virtue and sadly, having seen us in this situation every season since relegation, my patience is a little thin..!
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Let's look at the facts as we know them. We have 2 keepers on the books. We have 3 centre-halves (one of which PP wants out) and are still waiting to hear if a 4th wants to stay. We have 1 winger and 2 central midfielders (with another weighing up a new contract, albeit the same offer he turned down in January). Then we have 4 forwards (if you include the young kid that made his senior debut in a 10min run-out in the last game of the season).
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We have NO full-backs, NO left winger and NO cover in key areas, but you are right, we shouldn't be worrying, should we. After all, we start every season like this and look where that has got us.

Waynus1971 wrote:

Freddy wrote:
Waynus1971 says...
12:09am Sat 9 Jun 12

""I must admit, I am becoming a little impatient in the lack of new signings or news on existing players.”""

*
Patience is a Virtue
Seldom found in Woman
and NEVER in a Man !!!
*
Come on our Waynus --you know better at this stage of the Close Season!.
PATIENCE PLEASE!!!
*

Yes Freddy, patience is a virtue and sadly, having seen us in this situation every season since relegation, my patience is a little thin..!
.
Let's look at the facts as we know them. We have 2 keepers on the books. We have 3 centre-halves (one of which PP wants out) and are still waiting to hear if a 4th wants to stay. We have 1 winger and 2 central midfielders (with another weighing up a new contract, albeit the same offer he turned down in January). Then we have 4 forwards (if you include the young kid that made his senior debut in a 10min run-out in the last game of the season).
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We have NO full-backs, NO left winger and NO cover in key areas, but you are right, we shouldn't be worrying, should we. After all, we start every season like this and look where that has got us.

No right winger waynus, but your correct theres alot to do. We still need cover on the left wing too. If reid got injured theres no-one and left is harder to fill with most players naturally right footed.

Some see the signing of Davies as an indication that we will do well this season. Whilst its a great signing he also played most of last season and yet we still finished 18th,

Our current lack of creativity would be my biggest concern. we will obviously sign more players in time but i want to see an indication that we may attack more this year and impose ourselves on the opposition. Its what i want to see and supporters will only except another cautious approach if coupled with results.....otherwis
e he's in trouble by december. And not just by the fans i feel.......