We're better than this, roars Parkinson after Bradford City slump to 12th (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

shocking goal to concede,dukes a good shotstopper but ive always thought he,s too hesitant coming off his goal line for crosses ,back passes etc.

lozkel wrote:
shocking goal to concede,dukes a good shotstopper but ive always thought he,s too hesitant coming off his goal line for crosses ,back passes etc.

Apart from at Villa away when Duke rushed out missed the ball and Villa scored

silverbantam wrote:

lozkel wrote: shocking goal to concede,dukes a good shotstopper but ive always thought he,s too hesitant coming off his goal line for crosses ,back passes etc.

Apart from at Villa away when Duke rushed out missed the ball and Villa scored

It's my fault. About 5 minutes before they scored I thought to myself that Duke looked a better, more confident, keeper than the one we loaned to Northampton last year.

Those that have attended most games this season have been calling for a goalscorer to be brought in. If nahki doesn't play well no one else can score. To get this season back on track he MUST bring in a quality striker on loan. For all the hard work Hanson does he's just not clinical and can't create anything for himself.

Scholemoor Rovers wrote:
Those that have attended most games this season have been calling for a goalscorer to be brought in. If nahki doesn't play well no one else can score. To get this season back on track he MUST bring in a quality striker on loan. For all the hard work Hanson does he's just not clinical and can't create anything for himself.

There is no such thing as a quality striker in this division that is willing to come to Bradford,

collos25 wrote:

Scholemoor Rovers wrote:
Those that have attended most games this season have been calling for a goalscorer to be brought in. If nahki doesn't play well no one else can score. To get this season back on track he MUST bring in a quality striker on loan. For all the hard work Hanson does he's just not clinical and can't create anything for himself.

There is no such thing as a quality striker in this division that is willing to come to Bradford,

and where is such coming from:we all knew Gray was not the answr yet he got an 18 month contract!!! Stupid move on the part of BCAFC to my mind

Scholemoor Rovers wrote:
Those that have attended most games this season have been calling for a goalscorer to be brought in. If nahki doesn't play well no one else can score. To get this season back on track he MUST bring in a quality striker on loan. For all the hard work Hanson does he's just not clinical and can't create anything for himself.

How dare you criticize the local lad, the lad from the co-op, the undroppable one, the unsubable one, he who must be played at all times? Do you not realise you have unleashed the fires of hell?

It is clearly obvious to most of us that he is just not good enough to play at this level. A Wednesday afternoon league against Asda and Morrisons etc.is about his level.

How can the team possibly get promotion when their centre forward has scored only one league goal in 5 months? This puts far too much pressure on Nahki who must go on to the pitch knowing that if he doesn't score then the team won't win.

Over to you, Bronco and co, tell us again how good he is and that a striker's job is not just about scoring goals!

Worrying times indeed!

I didn't say from this division. I meant a championship/premier
ship team be it somebody who isn't getting a game and wants to put himself in the shop window for the rest of the season or a quality youth player from one of the top teams. The stumbling block in the past could have been wages but we have a bit of money now so could contribute towards them. Carry on as we are and we're going nowhere fast.

Adams Park under 4 inches plus a bit this morning

Scholemoor Rovers wrote:
Those that have attended most games this season have been calling for a goalscorer to be brought in. If nahki doesn't play well no one else can score. To get this season back on track he MUST bring in a quality striker on loan. For all the hard work Hanson does he's just not clinical and can't create anything for himself.

I agree with you and surprised the management not seen this and signed a proven goal scorer.
You don't score goals you don't win games.
You let goals in and fail to score you lose! How clear is that!!!!

tyker2 wrote:

collos25 wrote:

Scholemoor Rovers wrote:
Those that have attended most games this season have been calling for a goalscorer to be brought in. If nahki doesn't play well no one else can score. To get this season back on track he MUST bring in a quality striker on loan. For all the hard work Hanson does he's just not clinical and can't create anything for himself.

There is no such thing as a quality striker in this division that is willing to come to Bradford,

and where is such coming from:we all knew Gray was not the answr yet he got an 18 month contract!!! Stupid move on the part of BCAFC to my mind

It was a very bad choice to sign him!

So Hanson MUST take his one chance or he isn't good enough. Van persie, rooney etc all miss chances but because they are presented with quite a few they get on the score sheet.

Our crossing was very inconsistent throughout. Even set-pieces and cortners which we totally rely on.

How many times was there only one attacking player in their box?

And therein lies the problem Hanson faces. Its too easy for the central defenders as there is no oncoming midfield players getting in the box. No opposite winger getting in on the back post.

I stated how we won't score many from central midfield at the beginning of the season and this as proven correct.
We have become very reliant on set-pieces, and corners for opportunities or the onus is on Nahki in open play.

Whislt Parky as done an admiral job, if you take away the cup exploits and there would be serious questions at his tactics at the moment. When the system works, ironically against prem teams, it does its job. However in the last 3 games, less so on Saturday, we have been countered and sussed out by the opposition and had no answer.

There is no plan B and Parky sticks to his system throughtout. A syers type player willing to stay on the bench would offer us an option, but we don't have this.

In truth we could have easily won on Saturday which isn't a contradiction to the above but outlines how we just need a little more emphasis on creation and a few more scoring options. They did what we have been doing and/or attempting to do to others e.g. get behind the ball, deny space, keep disciplined. I've stated how if you stop our wingers then we have little else in terms of threat. They doubled up on the wide players, sussed us out and attempted to play higher up the pitch 2nd half. We then got deeper and they forced a mistake. Dukes appeared to have one eye on wembley, as he should have got there first.

By all means keep the system as it is Parky but he needs a plan b for when its been countered and nullified. Particularly at home......

I saw a few half hearted displays on Saturday, from players who didn't want to get injured and miss Wembley. The final can't come soon enough! We need to focus on picking up points!
Dont get me wrong, its brilliant what is happening in the cup, but it is now a distraction from our league form! We still need to go up!

Where were all these 30,000 fans by the way???

Phil is shuffling his pack a litte, giving everyone a chance of staking a claim for Wembley, keeping people fit, and getting people fit. Have faith.

Looking like tomorow night could be in doubt, so in a positive way, this is one more game after the distraction, and one less journey on the M1 before Wembley. Could be a blessing in disguise!

Old Dave wrote:
I saw a few half hearted displays on Saturday, from players who didn't want to get injured and miss Wembley. The final can't come soon enough! We need to focus on picking up points!
Dont get me wrong, its brilliant what is happening in the cup, but it is now a distraction from our league form! We still need to go up!

Where were all these 30,000 fans by the way???

Phil is shuffling his pack a litte, giving everyone a chance of staking a claim for Wembley, keeping people fit, and getting people fit. Have faith.

Looking like tomorow night could be in doubt, so in a positive way, this is one more game after the distraction, and one less journey on the M1 before Wembley. Could be a blessing in disguise!

probably not on:if thaw comes it will be waterlogged for certain

dannbradfc wrote:
So Hanson MUST take his one chance or he isn't good enough. Van persie, rooney etc all miss chances but because they are presented with quite a few they get on the score sheet.

Our crossing was very inconsistent throughout. Even set-pieces and cortners which we totally rely on.

How many times was there only one attacking player in their box?

And therein lies the problem Hanson faces. Its too easy for the central defenders as there is no oncoming midfield players getting in the box. No opposite winger getting in on the back post.

I stated how we won't score many from central midfield at the beginning of the season and this as proven correct.
We have become very reliant on set-pieces, and corners for opportunities or the onus is on Nahki in open play.

Whislt Parky as done an admiral job, if you take away the cup exploits and there would be serious questions at his tactics at the moment. When the system works, ironically against prem teams, it does its job. However in the last 3 games, less so on Saturday, we have been countered and sussed out by the opposition and had no answer.

There is no plan B and Parky sticks to his system throughtout. A syers type player willing to stay on the bench would offer us an option, but we don't have this.

In truth we could have easily won on Saturday which isn't a contradiction to the above but outlines how we just need a little more emphasis on creation and a few more scoring options. They did what we have been doing and/or attempting to do to others e.g. get behind the ball, deny space, keep disciplined. I've stated how if you stop our wingers then we have little else in terms of threat. They doubled up on the wide players, sussed us out and attempted to play higher up the pitch 2nd half. We then got deeper and they forced a mistake. Dukes appeared to have one eye on wembley, as he should have got there first.

By all means keep the system as it is Parky but he needs a plan b for when its been countered and nullified. Particularly at home......

In answer to your opening lines, herein lies the problem. Van Persie and rooney are capable of making something out of nothing. When was the last time you saw Hanson do anything like that. I don't blame him totally because he's the best we have for that role. PP needs to address the lack of a threat in the final third asap.

dannbradfc wrote:
So Hanson MUST take his one chance or he isn't good enough. Van persie, rooney etc all miss chances but because they are presented with quite a few they get on the score sheet.

Our crossing was very inconsistent throughout. Even set-pieces and cortners which we totally rely on.

How many times was there only one attacking player in their box?

And therein lies the problem Hanson faces. Its too easy for the central defenders as there is no oncoming midfield players getting in the box. No opposite winger getting in on the back post.

I stated how we won't score many from central midfield at the beginning of the season and this as proven correct.
We have become very reliant on set-pieces, and corners for opportunities or the onus is on Nahki in open play.

Whislt Parky as done an admiral job, if you take away the cup exploits and there would be serious questions at his tactics at the moment. When the system works, ironically against prem teams, it does its job. However in the last 3 games, less so on Saturday, we have been countered and sussed out by the opposition and had no answer.

There is no plan B and Parky sticks to his system throughtout. A syers type player willing to stay on the bench would offer us an option, but we don't have this.

In truth we could have easily won on Saturday which isn't a contradiction to the above but outlines how we just need a little more emphasis on creation and a few more scoring options. They did what we have been doing and/or attempting to do to others e.g. get behind the ball, deny space, keep disciplined. I've stated how if you stop our wingers then we have little else in terms of threat. They doubled up on the wide players, sussed us out and attempted to play higher up the pitch 2nd half. We then got deeper and they forced a mistake. Dukes appeared to have one eye on wembley, as he should have got there first.

By all means keep the system as it is Parky but he needs a plan b for when its been countered and nullified. Particularly at home......

Some good points Dann, but Hanson had two free headers the other he didn't get any power on and was a tame attemp straight at the keeper. Remind me again how many chances McArdle and McHugh had against Villa before sticking one away. Hanson is a Centre forward and as such is expected to get his fair share of goals. He misses at least 90% of his clear cut chances even now i can recall several chances since christmas he has missed. He does however work hard for the team and we do look a more threatening unit with him in it. No one is or should be saying he should score from every chance but at the very least as a pro he should have got that one on target at the very least as he wasn't even under any pressure.

Willie Eckerslyke wrote:

Scholemoor Rovers wrote:
Those that have attended most games this season have been calling for a goalscorer to be brought in. If nahki doesn't play well no one else can score. To get this season back on track he MUST bring in a quality striker on loan. For all the hard work Hanson does he's just not clinical and can't create anything for himself.

How dare you criticize the local lad, the lad from the co-op, the undroppable one, the unsubable one, he who must be played at all times? Do you not realise you have unleashed the fires of hell?

It is clearly obvious to most of us that he is just not good enough to play at this level. A Wednesday afternoon league against Asda and Morrisons etc.is about his level.

How can the team possibly get promotion when their centre forward has scored only one league goal in 5 months? This puts far too much pressure on Nahki who must go on to the pitch knowing that if he doesn't score then the team won't win.

Over to you, Bronco and co, tell us again how good he is and that a striker's job is not just about scoring goals!

Wells was "out of sorts on Saturday" and he should have been off in favor of Connell, maybe Gray...i think PP may have got it wrong on saturday...BUT perhaps in the longer term, some of the money that is earned from the "exploits" can be used to bring more/better talent into this team to work with those who actually do work hard..This club shouldnt be where they are..we know that..but unless money comes in to build on what is already there, we shall remain..However, if we were to get 9 points from the 3 games behind it would make a huge difference..I am not a fan of the "wembley play off" final but it does appear at this point that it would be the only chance we have of getting out of this league.IF PP doesnt get us out..then hes failed!

BD16 wrote:

silverbantam wrote:

lozkel wrote: shocking goal to concede,dukes a good shotstopper but ive always thought he,s too hesitant coming off his goal line for crosses ,back passes etc.

Apart from at Villa away when Duke rushed out missed the ball and Villa scored

It's my fault. About 5 minutes before they scored I thought to myself that Duke looked a better, more confident, keeper than the one we loaned to Northampton last year.

Get your heads together Numpties. All you seem to do is moan. I didn't hear you moaning about how crap duke was when he was a show stopper in the league cup games. We are a second division club who are suffering in the league due to our heroic efforts in the cups. This even happens to top teams like the manchesters etc.

And **** get off Hansons back... He was touted as a hero on here just a couple of weeks ago after the villa game.

Cody McDonalds words on Duke on Gills website."I don't mean to have have a dig at him but I think he made it a little bit easy for me"
You are not kidding it was terrible.
Gills acknowledged they were under a lot of pressure in the first half but simple fact is City need goal scorers other than Nahki otherwise mid table/lower will be the best achieved.

macca1969 wrote:

dannbradfc wrote: So Hanson MUST take his one chance or he isn't good enough. Van persie, rooney etc all miss chances but because they are presented with quite a few they get on the score sheet. Our crossing was very inconsistent throughout. Even set-pieces and cortners which we totally rely on. How many times was there only one attacking player in their box? And therein lies the problem Hanson faces. Its too easy for the central defenders as there is no oncoming midfield players getting in the box. No opposite winger getting in on the back post. I stated how we won't score many from central midfield at the beginning of the season and this as proven correct. We have become very reliant on set-pieces, and corners for opportunities or the onus is on Nahki in open play. Whislt Parky as done an admiral job, if you take away the cup exploits and there would be serious questions at his tactics at the moment. When the system works, ironically against prem teams, it does its job. However in the last 3 games, less so on Saturday, we have been countered and sussed out by the opposition and had no answer. There is no plan B and Parky sticks to his system throughtout. A syers type player willing to stay on the bench would offer us an option, but we don't have this. In truth we could have easily won on Saturday which isn't a contradiction to the above but outlines how we just need a little more emphasis on creation and a few more scoring options. They did what we have been doing and/or attempting to do to others e.g. get behind the ball, deny space, keep disciplined. I've stated how if you stop our wingers then we have little else in terms of threat. They doubled up on the wide players, sussed us out and attempted to play higher up the pitch 2nd half. We then got deeper and they forced a mistake. Dukes appeared to have one eye on wembley, as he should have got there first. By all means keep the system as it is Parky but he needs a plan b for when its been countered and nullified. Particularly at home......

Some good points Dann, but Hanson had two free headers the other he didn't get any power on and was a tame attemp straight at the keeper. Remind me again how many chances McArdle and McHugh had against Villa before sticking one away. Hanson is a Centre forward and as such is expected to get his fair share of goals. He misses at least 90% of his clear cut chances even now i can recall several chances since christmas he has missed. He does however work hard for the team and we do look a more threatening unit with him in it. No one is or should be saying he should score from every chance but at the very least as a pro he should have got that one on target at the very least as he wasn't even under any pressure.

Well, the Hanson Bashers are out of the woodwork again. And you wanted Parkinson sacked anyway, so you are singing the same old tune. Why didn't you have the courage to slag off James after the Villa match? Why? Something holding you back?

Willie Eckerslyke wrote:

Scholemoor Rovers wrote: Those that have attended most games this season have been calling for a goalscorer to be brought in. If nahki doesn't play well no one else can score. To get this season back on track he MUST bring in a quality striker on loan. For all the hard work Hanson does he's just not clinical and can't create anything for himself.

How dare you criticize the local lad, the lad from the co-op, the undroppable one, the unsubable one, he who must be played at all times? Do you not realise you have unleashed the fires of hell? It is clearly obvious to most of us that he is just not good enough to play at this level. A Wednesday afternoon league against Asda and Morrisons etc.is about his level. How can the team possibly get promotion when their centre forward has scored only one league goal in 5 months? This puts far too much pressure on Nahki who must go on to the pitch knowing that if he doesn't score then the team won't win. Over to you, Bronco and co, tell us again how good he is and that a striker's job is not just about scoring goals!

Whoever plays no. 9 you will slag them off. It's the position you do not understand. Another Hanson Basher out of the woodwork.

It's very obvious that the goal-scoring part of the team is not up to it and Hanson is the problem. he works hard but he cannot shoot or head. On Saturday he missed a 100% open goal, and shot miles wide on another easy chance.
\\\\\\\\we DESPERATELY need to get a proper centre forward in

lets stop slaging the players off. This is Parkinsons team His Players His responsability. NOW 11 wins fron 29 games is not going to bring Promotion it is not good enough. Parky says today we are better than this But 11 wins tell another story. They are his players his responsability to get results from them.so come the seasons end judge him then BUT my goodness more WINS are needed City Forever

Up to a point P.P. has done a very good job here.

He has assembled the best best bunch of players we have had for quite a while, at virtually no cost.

He has brought team spirit & cameraderie to the club which we did not possess before.

Unfortunately i personally find him tactically inept, unable to change his attacking options when needed.

Too ultra cautious not wanting midfield players crossing the half way line.

Still say Hanson not the answer, but also the best strikers in the world would struggle with the none support the front two get.

The space between midfield & front two is too huge, very rarely support for the player with the ball so it has to go long. I know we can play football through mid field, why does it so rarely happen. Playing without width is not the answer.

Gary Jones was a frequent scorer for Rochdale, why is he not getting into attacking positions here.

Still think we can get in the play off's but we can't score goals if players aren't allowed to get into forward attacking positions.

The cup run has been great , the finance very welcome but the biggest need is to get out of this terrible league

Hoping success comes to the manager,players & supporters, my word , how we need it.

s.b.c wrote:
Up to a point P.P. has done a very good job here.

He has assembled the best best bunch of players we have had for quite a while, at virtually no cost.

He has brought team spirit & cameraderie to the club which we did not possess before.

Unfortunately i personally find him tactically inept, unable to change his attacking options when needed.

Too ultra cautious not wanting midfield players crossing the half way line.

Still say Hanson not the answer, but also the best strikers in the world would struggle with the none support the front two get.

The space between midfield & front two is too huge, very rarely support for the player with the ball so it has to go long. I know we can play football through mid field, why does it so rarely happen. Playing without width is not the answer.

Gary Jones was a frequent scorer for Rochdale, why is he not getting into attacking positions here.

Still think we can get in the play off's but we can't score goals if players aren't allowed to get into forward attacking positions.

The cup run has been great , the finance very welcome but the biggest need is to get out of this terrible league

Hoping success comes to the manager,players & supporters, my word , how we need it.

An excellent post and agree with all you say. Take the shackles off parky and let them attack

*
Play Offs. Wembley final again !!.
Promotion !!. AND WINNERS OF THE LEAGUE CUP !!!.
*
We can dream can`t we ????.
*
Why not!!!.
**

Willie Eckerslyke wrote:

Scholemoor Rovers wrote: Those that have attended most games this season have been calling for a goalscorer to be brought in. If nahki doesn't play well no one else can score. To get this season back on track he MUST bring in a quality striker on loan. For all the hard work Hanson does he's just not clinical and can't create anything for himself.

How dare you criticize the local lad, the lad from the co-op, the undroppable one, the unsubable one, he who must be played at all times? Do you not realise you have unleashed the fires of hell? It is clearly obvious to most of us that he is just not good enough to play at this level. A Wednesday afternoon league against Asda and Morrisons etc.is about his level. How can the team possibly get promotion when their centre forward has scored only one league goal in 5 months? This puts far too much pressure on Nahki who must go on to the pitch knowing that if he doesn't score then the team won't win. Over to you, Bronco and co, tell us again how good he is and that a striker's job is not just about scoring goals!

Chill out Willie Eckerslyke you'll give yourself a heart attack son,I could have sworn Wells missed a sitter in the first half from a rebound ? but hay his name is not Hanson so we'll only focus on Big James,wish we had a "Bronco" in our side now that would guarantee promotion :-)).

PS Hanson did break sweat on Saturday unlike his fellow strike partner.

Parky does not need me to say this, but you have to be prepared to change things if its not working. Clearly v Gills Hanson ( working hard without getting a break ) and Wells ( lacking his touch ) should have been sacrificed at around 60 mins, for Gray and Connell - was Atkinson on the bench ?..bring him on for Hines and try to work the ball in different areas. Hines and Reid were doubled up on by Gills defenders much of the time. I saw Bolton v Burnley on TV there manager Freedman got howls of abuse for bringing off two players at 0-1 down for Ngog and Davies and they both completely changed the game. Connell, Gray and Atkinson could have done that for us...but we'll never know unless Parky is prepared to back his judgement and make the changes.

Points lost and its getting more and more difficult to see beyond this league next season.

Let's just Wembley out of the way and carry on. Onwards and upwards. C'mon City!

driving back from the game saturday listening to the pulse, stix and thornton were banging on how impressive wells & hanson were. was i watching a different game??? wells looked totally disinterested and hanson missed 2 guilt edged chances. We won't go up without in-form strikers, end of

As most know I am one of James Hanson's biggest supporters and appreciate his ethic and the role he does play for us. He just doesn't score enough and when there are no goals from elsewhere this highlights JH lack of goals even more. Earlier in the season I was less worried as we seemed to be picking up the points and others were chipping in with goals, mainly due to Jimmy knocking the defence about and making the opening. We have dried up.


This is still no reason to only remember Hanson's misses, Nahki had the easiest of dolly headers to put over the keeper into the far corner but made the wrong choice and headed straight at the keeper. He also didn't seem to lift his interest levels until we were 1-0 and looked like he may be subbed, don't know if anyone else noticed the difference between the work rate of both forwards and the fact that one tried and mostly succeeded to find team mates from every ball that was knocked to him(apart from one woeful pass which was played behind Hines and went in to touch) and the other tried to either do the flash stuff and failed every time or didn't appear to try.

Basically, let's have some balance, Hanson's second half miss should have been the icing on the cake and we should have been two up by half time.

Duke continues to make the same mistakes re judgement when it comes to anything away from his line but I've been shouted down on this issue before, even though he still proves my thinking right time and again. The Villa goal at home could have been stopped had he been quicker off his line too but as he made some great stops that day this was forgotten/forgiven, even though the majority of those were straight at him. Still hailed a hero whilst JH is still villified.

Try dropping Nahki Wells, clearly believing his own hype and it could be the kick up the backside he needs.

He was hopeless on Saturday!

Stevie-C wrote:
driving back from the game saturday listening to the pulse, stix and thornton were banging on how impressive wells & hanson were. was i watching a different game??? wells looked totally disinterested and hanson missed 2 guilt edged chances. We won't go up without in-form strikers, end of

Hanson clearly makes a difference - we have been utterly toothless in the few home games where he was absent.

However we are far too one-dimensional to do anything else, thats why 2/3s into the season we look out of ideas at time. Teams know how we play and are exploiting it, Rochdale being the best example.

For all the Hanson bashers - we are a much worse side when he isnt playing and the quality of delivery he receives in the main is dire. Wells has been poor for a few weeks bordering on lazy starting to believe his own hype!!! i agree we have no plan b and a lack of goals from midfield, i would like to see us try 3 at the back leaving Doyle and Jones sat in front with Connell playing behind the front 2 in a free role looks a clever player when he gets his little cameos. Exeter caused us no end of problems with someone sat in behind the forwards. Centre backs at this level have no idea whether to come and pick him up or not.

Naylor was responsible for the error that led to the goal. As a central defender, you do not allow the striker to get half a yard in front of you.

Had Duke come straight off his line he may have got to it there first. He found himself in no man's land. No doubt, thoughts of Wembley crossed his mind (who can blame him?) so he decided not to take the man.

I think that Duke has been a lucky goal-keeper as far as the cup is concerned and I for this reason would persist with him until the cup distraction is gone.

However, I think McLaughlin is a better keeper. Anyone who saw his display at Crewe may disagree but as for any keeper he needs some time between the sticks.

As for Hanson, should have scored no doubt but strange how no-one mentions the lack of service. I don't recall Reid putting a decent ball in until the bad miss. Neither do I recall Wells busting a gut.

Don't know what the situation is with Turgott but I would like to see him given a start.

dannbradfc wrote:
So Hanson MUST take his one chance or he isn't good enough. Van persie, rooney etc all miss chances but because they are presented with quite a few they get on the score sheet. Our crossing was very inconsistent throughout. Even set-pieces and cortners which we totally rely on. How many times was there only one attacking player in their box? And therein lies the problem Hanson faces. Its too easy for the central defenders as there is no oncoming midfield players getting in the box. No opposite winger getting in on the back post. I stated how we won't score many from central midfield at the beginning of the season and this as proven correct. We have become very reliant on set-pieces, and corners for opportunities or the onus is on Nahki in open play. Whislt Parky as done an admiral job, if you take away the cup exploits and there would be serious questions at his tactics at the moment. When the system works, ironically against prem teams, it does its job. However in the last 3 games, less so on Saturday, we have been countered and sussed out by the opposition and had no answer. There is no plan B and Parky sticks to his system throughtout. A syers type player willing to stay on the bench would offer us an option, but we don't have this. In truth we could have easily won on Saturday which isn't a contradiction to the above but outlines how we just need a little more emphasis on creation and a few more scoring options. They did what we have been doing and/or attempting to do to others e.g. get behind the ball, deny space, keep disciplined. I've stated how if you stop our wingers then we have little else in terms of threat. They doubled up on the wide players, sussed us out and attempted to play higher up the pitch 2nd half. We then got deeper and they forced a mistake. Dukes appeared to have one eye on wembley, as he should have got there first. By all means keep the system as it is Parky but he needs a plan b for when its been countered and nullified. Particularly at home......

i agree with most of what you are saying. we are happy for our central midfield to knock the ball around the edges without having any penetration. For me Hanson played his usual game. No better or worse. he is what he is etc, and presumably it suits PP defensively to have our main attacking option as a long ball and knock down. The trouble is its not working.
I really don’t understand why Gray was signed just to warm the bench.

theoutsider wrote:
Parky does not need me to say this, but you have to be prepared to change things if its not working. Clearly v Gills Hanson ( working hard without getting a break ) and Wells ( lacking his touch ) should have been sacrificed at around 60 mins, for Gray and Connell - was Atkinson on the bench ?..bring him on for Hines and try to work the ball in different areas. Hines and Reid were doubled up on by Gills defenders much of the time. I saw Bolton v Burnley on TV there manager Freedman got howls of abuse for bringing off two players at 0-1 down for Ngog and Davies and they both completely changed the game. Connell, Gray and Atkinson could have done that for us...but we'll never know unless Parky is prepared to back his judgement and make the changes. Points lost and its getting more and more difficult to see beyond this league next season.

good point. Seems PP would rather play a half dead Wells than a fit Connell. what a shame as Connell is a decent player and he could always bring Wells on as an impact player later on.

After watching City on Saturday they must be the easiest team for any other manager to plan tactics against. Just watch any of the previous games and its all the same. Doesnt Parky do any research or scouting whatsoever on the other teams or is it a case of "Send out same lot and see what happens". He's living on the lucky success in the cup to see him through but the success is exactly that...lucky.

Without the Cap 1 cup he head would be on the block by now. Poor signings and total lack of imagination especially when it comes to attacking.

I'll await the "Parky is God" responses

Fish05 wrote:
For all the Hanson bashers - we are a much worse side when he isnt playing and the quality of delivery he receives in the main is dire. Wells has been poor for a few weeks bordering on lazy starting to believe his own hype!!! i agree we have no plan b and a lack of goals from midfield, i would like to see us try 3 at the back leaving Doyle and Jones sat in front with Connell playing behind the front 2 in a free role looks a clever player when he gets his little cameos. Exeter caused us no end of problems with someone sat in behind the forwards. Centre backs at this level have no idea whether to come and pick him up or not.

Completely agree with Connell playing in the hole.

Why are we so stereotyped ?. Never any change of plan.

We know what we are going to get before the referee even blows his whistle.

Felt sorry for Nahky , he deserved far better support than he received. Looking at his facial expressions in the second half, he just got disgusted at the poor quality balls he had to chase. I think in the end he just gave up the will to win.

After playing such good football in the first half, it was sad to see the supporters expectations get to the players in the second half.

End of story is, chances were missed that should have been taken. That is not the managers fault, however when losing 0-1 at home after 60 minutes & having seven outfield players in our own half when the ball is in their half shows a serious lack of attacking ideas from P.P .

Every one wants P.P. to succeed at V.P. Just show some flair & work players into more attacking positions.

So many times there are no players on the edge of the box to latch on to loose balls. Too many are still stood in their own half.

This squad is good enough to go up , but no more points can be thrown away.

Play positive, it can still happen.

Its a bit harsh to say without the lucky cup run parky would be for the chop. I believe without the cup distractions on the team we would have easily picked up another ten points and that would leave us top three. Lets get this final out of the way without any more damage and let's see what happens now.

Prisoner Cell Block A wrote:
As most know I am one of James Hanson's biggest supporters and appreciate his ethic and the role he does play for us. He just doesn't score enough and when there are no goals from elsewhere this highlights JH lack of goals even more. Earlier in the season I was less worried as we seemed to be picking up the points and others were chipping in with goals, mainly due to Jimmy knocking the defence about and making the opening. We have dried up.


This is still no reason to only remember Hanson's misses, Nahki had the easiest of dolly headers to put over the keeper into the far corner but made the wrong choice and headed straight at the keeper. He also didn't seem to lift his interest levels until we were 1-0 and looked like he may be subbed, don't know if anyone else noticed the difference between the work rate of both forwards and the fact that one tried and mostly succeeded to find team mates from every ball that was knocked to him(apart from one woeful pass which was played behind Hines and went in to touch) and the other tried to either do the flash stuff and failed every time or didn't appear to try.

Basically, let's have some balance, Hanson's second half miss should have been the icing on the cake and we should have been two up by half time.

Duke continues to make the same mistakes re judgement when it comes to anything away from his line but I've been shouted down on this issue before, even though he still proves my thinking right time and again. The Villa goal at home could have been stopped had he been quicker off his line too but as he made some great stops that day this was forgotten/forgiven, even though the majority of those were straight at him. Still hailed a hero whilst JH is still villified.

I agree on your comments about the wells miss and agree he seemed lazy. But let's be fair wells isn't known for his aerial ability is he but still hit the target making the keeper save. I'm more concerned how Hanson with his so called strength in the air couldn't hit the target. You can't excuse that and this has also been said by parky. Still I agree we are a better team with Hanson in than out let's just hope he starts putting a few away.
As for duke it was a bad error but he wasn't alone it was sloppy defending all round, I do believe duke was scared to foul fearing a red card which would have meant missing the final.

..just love the Hanson bashing..just not good enough for League 2...this is the same player who has dominated international and Premiership Defenders. He will be the first to accept he needs some more goals ..but there are 3 other front line strikers who need to make a contribution. He is a great asset to the club..but he needs consistent and quality service and he cant be held responsible for the shortcomings of the entire team

One word to sum saturdays performance is PATHETIC!!! All good and well knocking the ball about all pretty but no commitment to challenges, nobody busting a gut to get in the box or to be in the right place at the right time. I'm not going to single out any one player because i though they were all pathetic.
.
One question I keep asking myself is this cup run and day out at wembley worth another season of watching league 2 every saturday???? Personally I think not because having to motivate myself to go to VP another 23 times next season to watch league 2 football is thoroughly depressing!!!
.
These players are playing for their wembley shirts and are obviously worried about getting injured but if they dont put in the effort then they shouldnt get a wembley shirt.
.
Don't get me wrong I can't wait for Wembley and I appreciate it will never happen again but another season in this Sunday League????

Rambo wrote:

Stevie-C wrote:
driving back from the game saturday listening to the pulse, stix and thornton were banging on how impressive wells & hanson were. was i watching a different game??? wells looked totally disinterested and hanson missed 2 guilt edged chances. We won't go up without in-form strikers, end of

Hanson clearly makes a difference - we have been utterly toothless in the few home games where he was absent.

However we are far too one-dimensional to do anything else, thats why 2/3s into the season we look out of ideas at time. Teams know how we play and are exploiting it, Rochdale being the best example.

I totally agree rambo. Don't get me wrong, I definitely ain't a hanson basher. I know he takes so much of the physical abuse dished out by defenders and his off-ball contribution is great, but on saturdays performance we just seemed toothless and out of ideas, just as you say. For me it was dukes indecisiveness that cost us the game, should've just hoofed the **** ball clear!

whisky1 wrote:
..just love the Hanson bashing..just not good enough for League 2...this is the same player who has dominated international and Premiership Defenders. He will be the first to accept he needs some more goals ..but there are 3 other front line strikers who need to make a contribution. He is a great asset to the club..but he needs consistent and quality service and he cant be held responsible for the shortcomings of the entire team

There is less bashing now than there was earlier on in the season thankfully. Most do now appreciate that he is vital to the team but most also want him to take some of the chances that fall his way. I have defended him all this season and also last season but it does get harder when an unchallenged header presents itself and the ball also had the right amount of pace for once.

Maybe it is the uncertainty of the type of ball which is going to be delivered that stops him from making committed movement in the box therefore he is often on the back foot when the 'great' chance comes.

Reid crossed the ball as many times on Saturday as I have seen him do all season with two of these crosses being blinders, one hard low across the 6 yard box one on Jimmy's head at pace, the rest were all over the place, too deep, cut out by first man.

These are all dilemmas facing PP for the next two matches and the season beyond. I have faith in both him and the team and a major cup final place plus a place in the play-offs would be an amazing achievement with a squad like ours with such patchy experience and youth thrown in at the deep end.

Stick with it guys, no point in despondency, still not a million miles off teams above us and still within our grasp.

macca1969 wrote:

Prisoner Cell Block A wrote:
As most know I am one of James Hanson's biggest supporters and appreciate his ethic and the role he does play for us. He just doesn't score enough and when there are no goals from elsewhere this highlights JH lack of goals even more. Earlier in the season I was less worried as we seemed to be picking up the points and others were chipping in with goals, mainly due to Jimmy knocking the defence about and making the opening. We have dried up.


This is still no reason to only remember Hanson's misses, Nahki had the easiest of dolly headers to put over the keeper into the far corner but made the wrong choice and headed straight at the keeper. He also didn't seem to lift his interest levels until we were 1-0 and looked like he may be subbed, don't know if anyone else noticed the difference between the work rate of both forwards and the fact that one tried and mostly succeeded to find team mates from every ball that was knocked to him(apart from one woeful pass which was played behind Hines and went in to touch) and the other tried to either do the flash stuff and failed every time or didn't appear to try.

Basically, let's have some balance, Hanson's second half miss should have been the icing on the cake and we should have been two up by half time.

Duke continues to make the same mistakes re judgement when it comes to anything away from his line but I've been shouted down on this issue before, even though he still proves my thinking right time and again. The Villa goal at home could have been stopped had he been quicker off his line too but as he made some great stops that day this was forgotten/forgiven, even though the majority of those were straight at him. Still hailed a hero whilst JH is still villified.

I agree on your comments about the wells miss and agree he seemed lazy. But let's be fair wells isn't known for his aerial ability is he but still hit the target making the keeper save. I'm more concerned how Hanson with his so called strength in the air couldn't hit the target. You can't excuse that and this has also been said by parky. Still I agree we are a better team with Hanson in than out let's just hope he starts putting a few away.
As for duke it was a bad error but he wasn't alone it was sloppy defending all round, I do believe duke was scared to foul fearing a red card which would have meant missing the final.

Good point re red card macca, still think Jesus Man could've strolled off the line and got to it before their forward did but if that was in the already hesitant Duke's mind then it was bound to make him think twice.

Some posters, quite understandably, want the distraction of Wembley over as soon as possible.

There is no doubt the players have got one eye on the final and it's affected our performances.

My fear is that, win or lose in a fortnight, the anti climax of returning to Div 4 football will dog us for the remainder of the season. I remember our epic Cup run during 1959/60. After finally being knocked out by Burnley, City never recovered their League form and won something like three of the remaining sixteen games to the end of the season.

God forbid that we should be similarly affected this season.

Anybody noticed Wells bottling quite a few tackles on Saturday?
Did he have his mind on the cup?

Oh well, it is what it is. I told you all before the season, as long as Hanson is the main front man, City will not go up. You all a bunch of **** dreamers to think otherwise, Oh and by the way all you Wells bashers, He is playing with a slight groin injury........ Last I checked, You all amaze me because if he sat out then you'll all be saying Wells is trying to save himself for the Wembley game. BUT THE GUY HAS A SLIGHT GROIN STAIN....... OK FOOLSSSSSSSSS

my only vision wrote:
Oh well, it is what it is. I told you all before the season, as long as Hanson is the main front man, City will not go up. You all a bunch of **** dreamers to think otherwise, Oh and by the way all you Wells bashers, He is playing with a slight groin injury........ Last I checked, You all amaze me because if he sat out then you'll all be saying Wells is trying to save himself for the Wembley game. BUT THE GUY HAS A SLIGHT GROIN STAIN....... OK FOOLSSSSSSSSS

Are you his **** :-))
Fountain of all knowledge.

my only vision wrote:
Oh well, it is what it is. I told you all before the season, as long as Hanson is the main front man, City will not go up. You all a bunch of **** dreamers to think otherwise, Oh and by the way all you Wells bashers, He is playing with a slight groin injury........ Last I checked, You all amaze me because if he sat out then you'll all be saying Wells is trying to save himself for the Wembley game. BUT THE GUY HAS A SLIGHT GROIN STAIN....... OK FOOLSSSSSSSSS

true, so he should really be sat on the bench to save him from getting a worse injury.
give one of the other guys a chance and give wells 20mins at the end.
just keeping him fresh that way.
and i thought all 11 had minds on wembley, like a pre season game until losing.

Willie Eckerslyke wrote:

Scholemoor Rovers wrote: Those that have attended most games this season have been calling for a goalscorer to be brought in. If nahki doesn't play well no one else can score. To get this season back on track he MUST bring in a quality striker on loan. For all the hard work Hanson does he's just not clinical and can't create anything for himself.

How dare you criticize the local lad, the lad from the co-op, the undroppable one, the unsubable one, he who must be played at all times? Do you not realise you have unleashed the fires of hell? It is clearly obvious to most of us that he is just not good enough to play at this level. A Wednesday afternoon league against Asda and Morrisons etc.is about his level. How can the team possibly get promotion when their centre forward has scored only one league goal in 5 months? This puts far too much pressure on Nahki who must go on to the pitch knowing that if he doesn't score then the team won't win. Over to you, Bronco and co, tell us again how good he is and that a striker's job is not just about scoring goals!

keep it coming t##ser,looks like JH is going to have the last laugh-after all HE is the one who is part of a LEAGUE CUP FINAL team,how many of you overweight sad f##kers can say the same hiding behind your keyboards eh?Put it this way in 100 years whos going to remember you? Pull your curtains on and get your mothers to tuck you in! night night freaks.
There i feel better now xxxx9

Stevie-C wrote:
driving back from the game saturday listening to the pulse, stix and thornton were banging on how impressive wells & hanson were. was i watching a different game??? wells looked totally disinterested and hanson missed 2 guilt edged chances. We won't go up without in-form strikers, end of

Stevie-C says...
12:46pm Mon 11 Feb 13
I heard the same post match comment and stixs and Thornton never said anything like this quite the opposite

Stevie-C wrote:
driving back from the game saturday listening to the pulse, stix and thornton were banging on how impressive wells & hanson were. was i watching a different game??? wells looked totally disinterested and hanson missed 2 guilt edged chances. We won't go up without in-form strikers, end of

Stix & Thornton never said anything of the sort

The only real truth in judging this season is at its end. The reality is we could be looking back at two Wembley appearances and two successful outcomes - the League Cup trophy and European football plus promotion via the play off final. The achievement of both these events would be unsurpassed taking all things into account over the last 12 years since the decline hit. It can still happen....let's trust the club management, roar ALL the boys on for the rest of the season and properly judge it all in May.

bcfcincheshire wrote:
The only real truth in judging this season is at its end. The reality is we could be looking back at two Wembley appearances and two successful outcomes - the League Cup trophy and European football plus promotion via the play off final. The achievement of both these events would be unsurpassed taking all things into account over the last 12 years since the decline hit. It can still happen....let's trust the club management, roar ALL the boys on for the rest of the season and properly judge it all in May.

totally agree with this comment and by the way i was not slating duke with my previous comment ,he,s a good keeper,i was merely stating a fact

Victor Clayton wrote:

dannbradfc wrote: So Hanson MUST take his one chance or he isn't good enough. Van persie, rooney etc all miss chances but because they are presented with quite a few they get on the score sheet. Our crossing was very inconsistent throughout. Even set-pieces and cortners which we totally rely on. How many times was there only one attacking player in their box? And therein lies the problem Hanson faces. Its too easy for the central defenders as there is no oncoming midfield players getting in the box. No opposite winger getting in on the back post. I stated how we won't score many from central midfield at the beginning of the season and this as proven correct. We have become very reliant on set-pieces, and corners for opportunities or the onus is on Nahki in open play. Whislt Parky as done an admiral job, if you take away the cup exploits and there would be serious questions at his tactics at the moment. When the system works, ironically against prem teams, it does its job. However in the last 3 games, less so on Saturday, we have been countered and sussed out by the opposition and had no answer. There is no plan B and Parky sticks to his system throughtout. A syers type player willing to stay on the bench would offer us an option, but we don't have this. In truth we could have easily won on Saturday which isn't a contradiction to the above but outlines how we just need a little more emphasis on creation and a few more scoring options. They did what we have been doing and/or attempting to do to others e.g. get behind the ball, deny space, keep disciplined. I've stated how if you stop our wingers then we have little else in terms of threat. They doubled up on the wide players, sussed us out and attempted to play higher up the pitch 2nd half. We then got deeper and they forced a mistake. Dukes appeared to have one eye on wembley, as he should have got there first. By all means keep the system as it is Parky but he needs a plan b for when its been countered and nullified. Particularly at home......

i agree with most of what you are saying. we are happy for our central midfield to knock the ball around the edges without having any penetration. For me Hanson played his usual game. No better or worse. he is what he is etc, and presumably it suits PP defensively to have our main attacking option as a long ball and knock down. The trouble is its not working. I really don’t understand why Gray was signed just to warm the bench.

Agreed. I've stated how Gray was a bad move imo for a variety of reasons, with goals been a primary one.

We simply don't have enough bodies in the box, so if the cross isn't spot-on which it often isn't then its often easy for the defenders.

People forget that one of Parky's tactics is for his two forwards to close down constantly their back 4. The idea been they then play long where we have our deep lying midfielders. This however also tires you out. hanson probably did more running than any other player on Saturday and thats rare for a forward.

We have in the past tried other 'big' men on loan e.g. Price and their goal ratio was a poor stat. Nahki's goal column would be much smaller if Hanson wasn't doing the dirty stuff. Love to see how many CLEAR chances he does get.

Problem does not just lie in Hanson but in the set-up of the side. When it works it works but interestingly we have been sussed out and countered. The onus is now on us to see what we can do about it........

robush wrote:

Stevie-C wrote:
driving back from the game saturday listening to the pulse, stix and thornton were banging on how impressive wells & hanson were. was i watching a different game??? wells looked totally disinterested and hanson missed 2 guilt edged chances. We won't go up without in-form strikers, end of

Stevie-C says...
12:46pm Mon 11 Feb 13
I heard the same post match comment and stixs and Thornton never said anything like this quite the opposite

I also heard Tim n Stix defending Wells saying he had put in a shift and that both the lads up top and done well.

Wells looked 'off it' and disinterested to me up until the point PP began to warm up the bench earnestly, fully aware he WAS carrying a groin strain from the week before but if it was in anyway debilitating then he should not have started, especially as Connell is chomping at the bit and has never let us down when on the pitch. We also don't know if PP had say to the front two to let Nahki rest between forward moves and the JH had to do the closing down on Saturday. Odd that the big man is doing the graft in this way, usually reserved for the smaller of a front pairing mainly.

@myonlyvision

I'd love an explanation into 'LAST TIME I CHECKED' why have you been checking Nahki's groin? We all get it you are big fan but I'd have thought that posting you look at his nuts is way beyond fandom. hahaha

Finally, perspective needed yet again. This could still be our most successful season ever, we CAN win the cup, we CAN hit the play-off pack and we can go up via that method OR we can still go on a run and get there automatically, unlikely but not impossible

So the Hanson bashers are at it again. Lots of us admire Jimmy's work rate and general contribution to the side. Perhaps he could become a bit more selfish, not defend as much and start running with the ball from deeper positions. Very few chances are created for him so he might as well start creating them for himself! By the way, we will win the Cup and scrape into the play-offs.....

I don't think people are really 'bashing' him. There are certain posters who just dont 'fancy' him at all and haven't changed their opinion from day one.

Others like myself have championed him all season long but even I have to admit that the lack of goals is very worrying for him, PP, BCAFC and us...I'd love him to bang three in tonight left/right and head to make the holy hat-trick....but I think he may not even start which in my opinion isn't brilliant but anything must be tried to get us back on track in the league.

rowsman wrote:
So the Hanson bashers are at it again. Lots of us admire Jimmy's work rate and general contribution to the side. Perhaps he could become a bit more selfish, not defend as much and start running with the ball from deeper positions. Very few chances are created for him so he might as well start creating them for himself! By the way, we will win the Cup and scrape into the play-offs.....

he has his strengths and maybe PP is over using him, but running with the ball! come on.

It was a poor goal to concede. I blame the defenders because they were guilty of too much ball watching rather than keeping tabs on the striker. It was a speculative ball and the defense froze like a rabbit in headlights. It was Tom Naylors man who ran away from him he failed to get back as the lad had the run on him.

Whoisevans? wrote:
It was a poor goal to concede. I blame the defenders because they were guilty of too much ball watching rather than keeping tabs on the striker. It was a speculative ball and the defense froze like a rabbit in headlights. It was Tom Naylors man who ran away from him he failed to get back as the lad had the run on him.

I blame the attack. Yes, it was a soft goal but under the circumstances the defence has been brilliant. IMO it is our failure to score that is the problem.

dannbradfc wrote:

Victor Clayton wrote:

dannbradfc wrote: So Hanson MUST take his one chance or he isn't good enough. Van persie, rooney etc all miss chances but because they are presented with quite a few they get on the score sheet. Our crossing was very inconsistent throughout. Even set-pieces and cortners which we totally rely on. How many times was there only one attacking player in their box? And therein lies the problem Hanson faces. Its too easy for the central defenders as there is no oncoming midfield players getting in the box. No opposite winger getting in on the back post. I stated how we won't score many from central midfield at the beginning of the season and this as proven correct. We have become very reliant on set-pieces, and corners for opportunities or the onus is on Nahki in open play. Whislt Parky as done an admiral job, if you take away the cup exploits and there would be serious questions at his tactics at the moment. When the system works, ironically against prem teams, it does its job. However in the last 3 games, less so on Saturday, we have been countered and sussed out by the opposition and had no answer. There is no plan B and Parky sticks to his system throughtout. A syers type player willing to stay on the bench would offer us an option, but we don't have this. In truth we could have easily won on Saturday which isn't a contradiction to the above but outlines how we just need a little more emphasis on creation and a few more scoring options. They did what we have been doing and/or attempting to do to others e.g. get behind the ball, deny space, keep disciplined. I've stated how if you stop our wingers then we have little else in terms of threat. They doubled up on the wide players, sussed us out and attempted to play higher up the pitch 2nd half. We then got deeper and they forced a mistake. Dukes appeared to have one eye on wembley, as he should have got there first. By all means keep the system as it is Parky but he needs a plan b for when its been countered and nullified. Particularly at home......

i agree with most of what you are saying. we are happy for our central midfield to knock the ball around the edges without having any penetration. For me Hanson played his usual game. No better or worse. he is what he is etc, and presumably it suits PP defensively to have our main attacking option as a long ball and knock down. The trouble is its not working. I really don’t understand why Gray was signed just to warm the bench.

Agreed. I've stated how Gray was a bad move imo for a variety of reasons, with goals been a primary one. We simply don't have enough bodies in the box, so if the cross isn't spot-on which it often isn't then its often easy for the defenders. People forget that one of Parky's tactics is for his two forwards to close down constantly their back 4. The idea been they then play long where we have our deep lying midfielders. This however also tires you out. hanson probably did more running than any other player on Saturday and thats rare for a forward. We have in the past tried other 'big' men on loan e.g. Price and their goal ratio was a poor stat. Nahki's goal column would be much smaller if Hanson wasn't doing the dirty stuff. Love to see how many CLEAR chances he does get. Problem does not just lie in Hanson but in the set-up of the side. When it works it works but interestingly we have been sussed out and countered. The onus is now on us to see what we can do about it........

I can understand why we didn't want to be held to randsom during the transfere window etc, but looks like we are short of another striker to compliment what we have. my mate recons Gray will come good. lets hope he is right.