Jim still upbeat

Bradford City 1

Jim Jefferies remains upbeat about Bradford City's survival prospects despite discovering it is not always a case of third time lucky.

At 2-0 down with 20 minutes to go City looked down and out, but Robert Molenaar put them back in the game with a far-post header eight minutes from the end to set up an exciting finish.

The defender signed a fortnight ago from Leeds United was immediately pushed up front in a determined bid for an equaliser.

Unfortunately, unlike the two previous matches when City scored late goals to beat Coventry and share the points with Spurs, there was no happy ending this time.

Nonetheless, Jefferies was proud of his players despite tasting defeat for the first time as City manager, knowing that the main difference between the sides were two superb goals scored by the home side.

First, Gary Speed put Newcastle in front after 14 minutes with a stunning 20 yard shot that went into the net off the underside of the crossbar.

Then England international midfield player Kieron Dyer, used as a striker alongside fit-again Alan Shearer, raced on to a flick from the head of the former England captain to score a fine goal.

"I have no complaints about the effort," said Jefferies. "The difference between the sides in the first half was the strike from Gary Speed.

"How many of those shots go into the stand, but this one went straight into the top corner. You couldn't blame anyone for that.

"We were pushing forward and got beaten by the pace of Alan Shearer and Kieron Dyer for Newcastle's second goal. Dyer's pace was exceptional and he produced good finish as well.

"It would have been easy to give up at 2-0 down and it was a mountain to climb from there, but credit to the players. We rolled up our sleeves and got back in the game, scored a goal and might have scored an equaliser in the last two minutes.

"It showed we are prepared to battle for the cause and if you do that you have always got a chance.

"It will be a rollercoaster ride, but there is half the season left. The most important thing is that we keep in touch with the clubs around us, keep fighting and improve the quality of our players, but we need to avoid mistakes.

"We had chances. Benito Carbone had a great ball through the middle but his touch took him forward otherwise we would have been 1-0 up. Then Robbie Blake twice didn't connect properly and the keeper saved the shot with his legs."

City's battling qualities which served them so well as they took five points in an unbeaten run from Jefferies' first three matches is a welcome feature of the Bantmas's play under their new manager.

They will need to continue to show this fighting spirit as the battle for Premiership survival intensifies in the second half of the season.

Just how competitive the battle is likely to be was demonstrated as City dropped back into bottom place after Middlesbrough's home win against the Bantams' next opponents Chelsea.

The problem in this match is that although City often matched Newcastle for football ability, the Magpies with the likes of Speed, Dyer and Shearer usually had a greater cutting edge up front and often looked more like scoring. Dyer's pace for Newcastle's crucial second goal was just too much for City to cope with.

City, without suspended Stan Collymore and injured Ashley Ward, played Carbone and Blake as their central strikers supported from midfield by Dean Windass.

Although they worked hard they missed the presence that Collymore and Ward can provide.

City played some neat midfield football, but didn't create too many chances to trouble the Newcastle defence except in the closing stages when the Magpies were hanging on to their lead.

Nonetheless, it was good to see Blake rewarded for his encouraging displays in the reserves and as a first team substitute and he had two good runs and shots in a lively first half performance before fading in the second half and being replaced by Peter Beagrie.

The two lessons from the match are that Jefferies is not afraid to make changes nor is he afraid of reputations.

Dan Petrescu who was restored to the starting line-up in this match learned that when he was left out a fortnight ago and the latest victim of Jefferies' fearless approach is goalkeeper Matt Clarke whose early season form led to calls for him to be chosen in England's squad.

Unfortunately for Clarke he has not been at his best under Jefferies' brief reign and found himself dropped.

Gary Walsh who took his place acquitted himself well considering his 13-month absence from City's Premiership line-up and it will be interesting to see how this situation develops.