promotion for city this season is a must they cant afford to stay in this league again next season, mark lawn said play offs at the least, what good is targeting the play offs when there is a chance you could lose in the final then your back to square 1 next season, im confident city will finish 3rd sending us up auto-promotion. come on you bantams.

I know Directors want to see Clubs progress in Cup competitions, for the extra revenue that they bring.
I am pleased we are out of the League Cup,and I don't want any progress in the FA Cup. They are extra matches that invariably cause more injuries to key players.
I would like our current squad to concentrate on the League, and obtain automatic promotion.
The 'New'City squad are still 'Gelling', and the Huddersfield game should be seen as a form of a reality check;and written off as a 'One Off',whilst the team are still learning about each others play etc.

" Meanwhile, McCall will sit down with Willy Topp today to clear up speculation the striker is unhappy at the club"

There has been some previously ill informed posts concerning Topp.
He is still recovering from his leg operations. It is wrong for people to put ill informed adverse comments, on these articles, when they do not have the true facts concerning the current situation, and they do not know what they are talking about,but are only causing further trouble.
Whatever the problems may be, if there are problems, it should be left to the Manager and Player to resolve. Supporters ill informed speculation, Media speculation and adverse comments, are not 'Supportive' and can only undermine the aims and ambitions of Bradford City AFC.
3 points at Macclesfield, with magnificent Support from 'The Bradford Army' is our next Target.

I fully agree with the above comment to progress well in the league i would rather be knocked out of all the cups this season, that would give the team & management only one thing to concentrate on and that is promotion.

Conlon should definitly not start on saturday. Start with Thorne and boulding up front with a season debut for Colbeck. I would move Nix into midfield and drop Bullock with Omar on the other wing. I like the qualities Nix brings to the midfield. He certainly gives us a more attacking threat from that area. Pending fitness Topp should get the nod over Conlon from the bench. I just can't see what Barry brings to the table apart from wayward finishing, misplaced passers/flick ons and giving away free kicks!!

quote There has been some previously ill informed posts concerning Topp

scuse me but SM said himself that he was having difficuties with TOPP: He was reported as reporting back fully fit from his summer vacation after the operations.

he was not included in the squad for the Town game so what was all that about--we had two aging strikers on one of whom is going to struggle to play 1 game a week and the other on a short term contract yet SM is asking them to play three games in a week and not even having Topp on the bench--so what is all that about.

Answer--SM said last season the pitches were too heavy for him so when better pitches came along the guy could not fulfil a whole game:this season after being declared 100% fit he has not featured. why?

SM does not rate him!!!

if they are any differecnes between the 2 i hope they can do ironed out cos he did look a class player last seasont he little we saw of him.Looked liek he could do somet out of the ordinary so hopefully will be get sorted. Dont agree with all this 'he can only play on good pitches' which i've heard - throw him into and give the lad a chance!!!! He looks as good as other options we have if not better.

quote "Dont agree with all this 'he can only play on good pitches'

look back at the reports from last season--that was an excuse put out by SM for not playing him: it was ridiculed then --now we know why he was not played: we bought a player that was neither fit nor experienced: he is supposed to be fit but is getting no experience and that is for one reason lnly--he just is not good enough and not arted by SM

looks like it was defo a decison by the chairman/s trying pull of a commercial coup i suppose....a shame cos like i said before i think he looked a very good player from what we saw and i very much doubt we will see the best of him now.
he'll probably be banging them in elsewhere soon.....hope not!!!

He will be off, no doubt about it. And to be honest, he couldn't play 4th division football.

Yeah right. And big Barry can play 4th Division football!! Mr leaner and meaner is playing like he did last year. Maybe the donkey is moving a second faster but he's still the same donkey. He makes Steve Torpey look like Luca Toni! Give Topp a chance or just play Boulding. Starting Saturday!!

Spenvalleyspartan wrote:
Conlon should definitly not start on saturday. Start with Thorne and boulding up front with a season debut for Colbeck. I would move Nix into midfield and drop Bullock with Omar on the other wing. I like the qualities Nix brings to the midfield. He certainly gives us a more attacking threat from that area. Pending fitness Topp should get the nod over Conlon from the bench. I just can't see what Barry brings to the table apart from wayward finishing, misplaced passers/flick ons and giving away free kicks!!

I pretty much agree with this. The only thing I would add is that in my opinion Conlon started against Notts because Boulding was not 100% fit. Becasue he played so well Stuart possibly thought he could start him against Hudds to keep Thorne fresh for the league. Unfortunately, Conlon didn't play so well in the second game and is now being widely castigated.

When he signed the 6 month contract I thought it woud be so we would have experience on the bench to come on and retain possession to help us earn/not throw away vital points at the end of tensely fought games. He's perfect for this at this level and importantly does not appear to suffer from injury niggles meaning he is quite dependable.

Re. Topp situation.
I was in the Flappit pub on Tuesday night when Topp and an agent came in quickly followed by Mark lawn.They sat in a quiet corner for a long time talking at one stage it became quite heated and i clearly heard Topp say "i want to play more league football".The discussion went on all be it mostly very muted for a good hour.
As for Topp as a player i thought he looked very talented in flashes last season and have no doubt he is a very skillfull playerI just fear for his safety in this division if he started show boating defenders in this league would kick lumps out of him.

quote I was in the Flappit pub on Tuesday night when Topp and an agent came in quickly followed by Mark lawn.

must have been reasonably late then!!!

This may just give added value to the fact that Topp was a director buy!

Surely playing decisions--who plays when and how, is nothing to do with the director and Topp should be discussing such matTers with SM. Could such meetings be actually undermining SM?

maybe the final straw for Topp was not only exclusion from the team but from the squad.

If he's picked to start on Saturday there will be some doubt as to whether the manager or the directors oick the team--- not back to KAMARA/RICHMOND again is it!!!

Yes Scargutt I agree that big baz could probably make an impact coming on from the bench with opposition defenders tiring in the last 20 mins or so. But if Topp is fit why even consider playing Conlon. Topp certainly more likley to cement the play between midfield and attack just with his passing and vision. As seen in the game between us and Shrewsbury last season. More likley also to get us free kicks in and around the box with the quality of basement division centre backs. So until Boulding is 100% fit. Play him along side Thorne. Give the kid 6 games at least.He needs games under his belt!!

tyker wrote:
quote I was in the Flappit pub on Tuesday night when Topp and an agent came in quickly followed by Mark lawn.must have been reasonably late then!!!This may just give added value to the fact that Topp was a director buy!Surely playing decisions--who plays when and how, is nothing to do with the director and Topp should be discussing such matTers with SM. Could such meetings be actually undermining SM?maybe the final straw for Topp was not only exclusion from the team but from the squad.If he's picked to start on Saturday there will be some doubt as to whether the manager or the directors oick the team--- not back to KAMARA/RICHMOND again is it!!!

if Topp was to play on saturday it would be because SM wanted him to play and not due topressure from above...i dont think he would be told and i honestly beleive he would leave at the 1st sign of this happening!!! but i can see why people would be dubious....SM wouldn't be told who to play or not to play.

I cant agree with the statements saying he couldn't play in league 2 cos he would get lumps kicked out of him...isn't it the same for any good player who progresses though the leagues??? Look at Keith Andrews at MK Dons last year he was the best player by far in that league and he lived with it as anybody would need to if they want to progress.

let's see what the team and squad is on Saturday and draw conclusions therefrom!! no injuries reported after Tuesday and Colbeck now back available should make selection a bit more interesting

Freddy wrote:
I know Directors want to see Clubs progress in Cup competitions, for the extra revenue that they bring.I am pleased we are out of the League Cup,and I don't want any progress in the FA Cup. They are extra matches that invariably cause more injuries to key players.I would like our current squad to concentrate on the League, and obtain automatic promotion.The 'New'City squad are still 'Gelling', and the Huddersfield game should be seen as a form of a reality check;and written off as a 'One Off',whilst the team are still learning about each others play etc." Meanwhile, McCall will sit down with Willy Topp today to clear up speculation the striker is unhappy at the club"There has been some previously ill informed posts concerning Topp.He is still recovering from his leg operations. It is wrong for people to put ill informed adverse comments, on these articles, when they do not have the true facts concerning the current situation, and they do not know what they are talking about,but are only causing further trouble. Whatever the problems may be, if there are problems, it should be left to the Manager and Player to resolve. Supporters ill informed speculation, Media speculation and adverse comments, are not 'Supportive' and can only undermine the aims and ambitions of Bradford City AFC.3 points at Macclesfield, with magnificent Support from 'The Bradford Army' is our next Target.

Regarding your comment about the cups, I know what you mean but would you still say that if we'd have won on Tuesday? Winning breeds confidence and helps teams gel quicker, i personally would have loved to progress, the days of playing the likes of Everton and Newcastle at home in a midweek game with plenty of atmosphere are some of the best memories i have of City,those days seem so long ago.

McCall states above that he didnt see anyone ducking tackles or not winning headers on Tuesday, I woudnt say we ducked tackles but i didnt see any of our boys getting stuck in and trying to control the game either, we simply sat back in front of the back four and let them come at us, much like last saturday, you always felt County were going to score!

As long as Conlon doesn't start! Won't be an easy game on saturday which pains me to say it! They knocked Blackpool out of the cup on tuesday 2-0. Gonna have to work hard. These are the games we've gotta take points from. COME ON CITY!!

'Halifax-bantam'
I agree with your reflections on great FA Cup matches from the past. I have equally enjoyed those exciting days. However,this Season is reported and forecasted to be our expected promotion to Div. 1.
That is a whole lot of stress and pressure to achieve that expected objective.
From points/comments raised above, the team held off tackling on Tuesday. There are no reported injuries,and Macclesfield away will be one of many very tough games; To at least draw, or at best win.
Having extra matches, injuries and even more extra pressure in Cup games, is not what our Club needs this Season.
Julian Rhodes has predicted, or forecasted, or made it public, that he is looking for 'Back to Back' promotions. If you look back in football history, Clubs going for promotion in their promoted Season, did not figure, in either of the Cup Competitions. Many of them going out in their first cup matches.
I feel that if City are to achieve consecutive promotions. Then we must regretably concentrate on getting 3 league match points, not incur too many injuries, and play only league matches. Other than the obligatory first round Cup games.
That way, Players will not become jaded, towards the end of the Season, when maximum effort and fitness will be required.

When the promotion objective is achieved, then we will be in a very strong squad position, to have a really good cup run.

Freddy,
I see your point mate and this sites all about different oppinions, the pressure to gain promotion is massive this season and is priority.
Is it just me or is the way we lost the midfield battle on Tuesday and Saturday a cause for concern, they didnt instill any confidence. Its ok playing the occasional good ball but neither Mclaren or Bullock have the ability to go box to box and are far too nice in the tackle to stamp any authority on a game. I'm sure i recall Mccall saying at the end of last season he needed a ball winning midfielder who can boss a game, whens he signing him?

If I could have had a choice of us beating scumersfield or Macclesfield this week I would have chosen the puppies everytime. Not because I wish we would go on a massive cup run. Thats certainly not a must this season. But because of local pride. Nothing else. I'm surrounded by puppy fans at work and they have been bumping their gums since tuesday night. Coupled with the jibes of L**ds fans City owe their fans a good win on saturday!!

TYKER. with your perception and insider knowledge, surely we should not have to wait for the squad announcement you should be able to tell us.I have never read such negative comments as you post on this site,Iam sure SM will welcome your help in selecting the squad

quote TYKER. with your perception and insider knowledge, surely we should not have to wait for the squad announcement you should be able to tell us.I have never read such negative comments as you post on this site,Iam sure SM will welcome your help in selecting the squad "

que? what?

just passing on my opinions--no negativity at all:we should win saturday irrespective of the team which SM/directors select.

I am only looking from the outside but others are agreeing that Topp looks very much like a director purchase only and that SM does not rate him.

This is potentially the best squad we have had since the premiership relegation team BUT its results yhat count and this is how SM WILL be judged.

THE DIRECTORS HAVE SAID ANYTHING BUT PROMOTION WILL BE REGARDED AS FAILURE--not my words!!