FL2: Torquay United v Bradford City 30th Jan 2010

Right, just a few thoughts on todays game... in case anyone's interested.

In overview I think we saw two teams with fragile confidence today. Just like at Barnet, the team required a goal to get them going... thankfully we got it pretty early today which made for a performance which was easy on the eye and exciting... unfortunately, we just couldn't get that ball in the net again despite a superb performance by Benyon, Smith and Wroe in particular. Benners in particular looked pacey and intelligent against two thuggish centre-halves who managed to foul on nigh-on every challenge they made. The neat side-stepping of one of those offenders and the resulting shot heading to the top corner nicely tipped round the post was a pleasure to watch. You'd have to feel sorry for Nicky Wroe too with that shot blocked on the line by desperate defending in the second-half. The ball wouldn't go in again and we were executed ruthlessly by Bradford's super-sub.

I don't like picking out players for criticism but Danny Stevens had an absolute nightmare in terms of throwing possession away and a total failure to track back. Very disappointing and should have been taken off early.
Similarly, Thompson is increasingly frustrating. Not particularly combative today unlike at Barnet but still a liability when in space with the ball at his feet.
We desperately need Thompson to pick up in terms of performance because there's no-one to replace him unless Eunan O'Kane fancies a pop at it... that boy's a fighter, he's quick, excellent touch, quick mind... I can't pick any holes in his efforts thus far.

Back to the confidence issue, I think that will be helped by the return of Carlisle on the wing and Branston's introduction to the back-line but it's certainly squeaky-bum time. Today's defeat was no less than heart breaking for what I would say is a team with its fair share of young talent... if only we held the contracts for it.

Oh and a note on Scott Rendell... how he's supposed to come back after four weeks is beyond me. I think we're looking at 6 weeks minimum as that's how long it will take to heal a forearm break. Plus two more weeks to regain match-fitness??? Cue a rummage in the cupboard for a replacement targetman.... now where did I put that Sills?

Not having a laugh at all - were you watching when Benyon set up Rendell for the chance that he put the wrong side of the post. Benyon was the player that Bradford could not cope with. They changed their centre half at halftime and the sub did little better in containing him either.
He was by a mile the man of the match.
Anyway Benyon looks like an ever present from now on as we have not got anyone else!

Got to say that I don't know about the rules for signings but it does make you wonder why on earth the paperwork was not sorted in time for Jake Thomson to play yesterday. That cock up could well have costed us three points because i really think him and Smith would have been a lethal combination. against slow defenders yesterday.

Nicholson was on the bench yesterday. I'd agree that he's probably on his way out tomorrow though.

Plenty of Bantams supporters in the away end shielding their eyes from the warm afternoon sun as the P.A welcomed them to the 'English Riviera'. They didn't seem over confident of their team adding to the enjoyment as City have not been in the best of form.

But the BCFC faithful were in reasonably good voice as they treated us to a few chorus's of 'Yorkshire' and 'We've got a stand bigger than your ground'. But from what I've read recently there seems to be renewed talk of them sharing Odsall stadium with the Bradford Bulls, in which case Valley Parade's big stand will probably have to make way for a super market.

City's keeper Glennon took to the field wearing green, just as Shay Given does for Man City. He didn't actually look anything like Given, actually he bore a slight resemblance to Gus Poyet from a distance. At the opposite end Poke was kitted out in all red. I'm not sure when this trend developed, it wasn't many years ago when the keeper wore the same shorts & socks as his outfield team mates. Those with long memories will recall Peter Shilton going through a spell of wearing all white in either his Leicester or Stoke days.

To fully cater for the footballing fashionistas I will give further praise to Bradford for kitting out their players with proper old fashioned long sleeved shirts. Three of the Bradford back four opting for long sleeves with the exception being Captain Ramsden.

Sorry to say I won't be able to get through a whole match report without mentioning Torquay..so hear goes ;D
Having had my first glimpse of Thomson last week against Burton I was very impressed with the lad & with neither him or Carlisle playing yesterday I didn't feel over confident when the line up was announced. Last Saturday Danny Stephens came on & played well while the other 10 were struggling to do anything right. Seven days later and it's the opposite situation with Danny being the only one I'd point to & say he had a poor game. I've seen him play marvellously well on plenty of occasions so don't question his ability but yesterday was one of those afternoons when nothing seemed to work. Maybe he just came up against a particularly good opponent, maybe he'd developed an understanding with Hargreaves that he doesn't yet have with Thompson...whatever..it will be a game he will be glad to move on from.

We had the better of the first half and deserved to take the lead.
Benyon had already chased a long diagonal ball which seemed to sit up nicely giving him the chance of a left foot volley. He didn't fancy that & checked back with the ball, I thought the chance had gone but he produced a great curling right foot shot which all green Glennon got a finger tip to in order to push wide of the post. A save worthy of Shay Given & one that denied us the lead. Not long to wait however as from the corner the ball was cleared out at ground level to the centrally positioned Robertson...I mouthed the words 'keep it down' to myself as he hit it, but being Robbo I still expected it to clear the roof of the away stand, but not at all..he had drilled it hard & low & more importantly into the net !
Three of the four small stands were very pleased!
Danny continued to run up blind alleys, Benyon continued to chase everything, Charnock looked calm and assured...1-0 HT.

Time for the 50/50 draw and time for the especially amorous young couple stood next to me to indulge in an even longer kiss than they had managed during any break in play during the first half. Considering the lad had just finished his tray of cheesey chips I'm surprised the snogging session even got started but both participants seemed to be equally enthusiastic. I did consider digging them in the ribs and saying 'ere if you don't stop that you'll miss seeing Aussie with his lady fork' but wasn't sure that would prove to be a big enough incentive.

Back to the field and flat capped Guy Branston is introduced to do the 50/50 draw. The shout of 'I bet he chooses a red card' brought a few laughs to the Pop side. Rob from Torquay being the lucky holder of ticket No.02601 walked off with the money.

The 2nd half kicks off and the Bantams are in noticeably more determined mood & frankly it's no surprise that McCall has had to gee them up a bit as his position is far from secure. Rendell knocked a ball forward to Benyon who in turn did some good work before threading a nicely weighted ball back to big Scott who was unlucky to see his shot go inches wide of the post.
Yes it was a decent chance missed but both players had done well, especially Rendell who after instigating the move had made up a lot of ground & got himself into a good position to receive the pass.

Further reasonable chances were created as the half went on but we don't have a finisher such as, for example, Pitman of Bournemouth who can do little in a match but will often tuck away an isolated chance that does fall his way. A little later and Rendell sustained his arm injury. I felt sorry for the lad as he had been buffeted about all afternoon & taken more that his fair share of knocks already. I did wonder whether there was some directive to referees that injured players had to leave the field but the nearest touchline but when the trainer gave Mr.East a 'you can't be serious' stare before taking the most direct route to the changing rooms with Scott... I think common sense kicked in & thankfully Mr.East didn't make an issue of it.

Young O'Kane came on & did well. His rather slender frame doesn't dissuade him from getting fully stuck in when the need arises & he aquitted himself well. But the momentum was increasingly with Bradford, they had the energy & the inspiration & that extra bit of good fortune in front of goal that wasn't with us yesterday. Two late goals meant all three points going to Yorkshire.

I'd decided that Benyon would most probably be announced as Man of the Match with Charnock as my outside bet. The selection of Nicky Wroe caught more than just me by surprise.

Problems for Bucks to address..particularly at the front & the back. I can't see us scoring a hatful of goals given our current dirth of strikers & the back looks a bit shakey. Keen Buckle studiers such as myself would expect him to respond by recalling Scott Bevan ...we shall see.



A few pics...a couple for the exiles to remind them of the old country which I took at 1pm on Saturday








and now the important stuff...

Kick Off !





Half Time Forking Activity




2nd Half Pep Talk

I wouldn't be surprised if he Bevan was given a run in the team. I wasn't all that impressed with Poke at Barnet. He might not have had much to do, and didn't seem to be at fault for their goal, but his kicking was poor and he certainly didn't seem as commanding as he done.

Had Cox played yesterday and impressed, I would see Poke as the most likely loanee to make way. However, with Branston surely due to start at Crewe on Tuesday, a change of keeper and CB might represent too much of a risk.

I think I am right in saying that we are only allowed 5 loan players out of the entire 18 players in the matchday squad. So even if Poke is on the subs bench he would count as one of the 5 loan players we can use ? If this is true again it emphasises we have been too reliant on loan players to bail us out and not signing enough of our own, or getting rid of them too soon !