da luck：
da prosport bet： It takes a squidging of bravery when all is not mathematically impossible to state that Bradford City have ‘beaten’ the drop for another season.
But I’m going to say it anyway. Surely even the Bantams can’t mess up a nine point gap coupled with a 16 goal advantage at this late stage. Relegation haunted Macclesfield will make a brave last ditch attempt this weekend where all should be decided in the Bantams favour.
Driving down the M1 to Northampton on the back of six straight away defeats I suppose you could forgive the ‘you’re a nutter’ jibes banded out by your so called mates. If truth be told, I only travelled down because of the top notch TGI Friday’s parking facilities. Oh and that chicken burger. I confess I was thoroughly expecting another miserable afternoon but for a few banterish exchanges and a chance to see the two powerhouses of Guy Branston and Adebayo Akinfenwa go head to head. On a side note, that didn’t disappoint. Oh and Guy definitely won.
The game itself was a terrific one, although I would say that, I don’t think I’ve seen us win away since the Tony Blair years. The intensity of passing, solidity at the back from the two or three stand-ins and the ever dangerous option of pace from both Kyel Reid on the left and hotshot Nakhi Wells up front were a potent cocktail to the Northampton side. Add to this three worldy finishes hardly accustomed to a Bradford City striker in recent times and you’d be forgiven for thinking there may yet be some hope for next season.
One hope lies with the aforementioned Nakhi Wells, who produced one of the finest displays since the Peter Thorne master-classagainst Notts County way back when. The Bermudan International cites Shaun Goater as his boyhood idol. A few more displays like this and he just may emulate his successes. His performance was such that Joint Chairman Julian Rhodes immediately signalled his intention to extend his contract further to ward off the inevitable snoopers.
With the season now reaching its final furlong, the Bantams face an all too familiar story. Playing for pride in the depths of the fourth tier, with the latest bunch of failures doing all they can to earn a reprieve for next season. It’s normally a period that strings results and performances together as the soon to be laid off suddenly decide it may be worth putting the required effort and commitment in. The inevitable question normally follows, ‘where was this for the previous 40 games?’
Of the current squad, I hold out no hope for but a few. There will be comings and goings through the summer and change is an annual word at Bradford City. But change is undoubtedly needed. On the face of it, the majority of those still in contract would probably represent a good core for this level.
Goalkeeper Matt Duke and Jonny McLaughlin provide experience from the former and steadiness from the latter, while Guy Branston’s no nonsense, warrior-like approach has been crucial since his re-introduction following the Crawley Fight Night. In midfield, Ricky Ravenhill appears steady if not spectacular and Ritchie Jones provides both attacking and defensive qualities alongside a simple passing game. Kyel Reid on his day would have the beating of any full back in the Football League but needs to produce more at home games. Up-top we have the fast improving, twinkle-toed- entity that is Wells alongside a man whom fans cannot seem to agree upon, James Hanson. Whatever your stance on him, his link up play with Wells has been encouraging and in fairness, he has chipped in with important goals in the run-in. Consistency is the key for him, as with everyone.
The likes of fans’ favourite David Syers and the soon- to- be player of the season Luke Oliver have proved their worth in what has been a tough year and it would be a surprise to see the club not offer the two new deals over the coming weeks. Marcel Seip and Craig Fagan should be the other lucky men.
Now it gets tough. The rest, put bluntly, you’d be very worried for. The mainstays of Simon Ramsden, Lee Bullock and Michael Flynn are all due to leave and could hardly put forward the best case for defence. Flynn has been both injury-prone while lacking consistency in the last couple of years – not a good combination for a side aiming higher. The same can be said for Ramsden, who despite his obvious quality is of no use in the treatment room and a luxury better afforded elsewhere. Bullock, well, steady just isn’t enough. These three in particular have overseen three or four seasons of failure and their bridges must surely have burned.
The rest, one would assume, will be on their way either due to lack of action, or just plain lack of the necessary ability.
What then of supremo Phil Parkinson? Much maligned by fans as a result of minimal point’s improvement, his supposed negativity in team selection and general demeanor it seems his seat for next season is not yet reserved. It’s not a view I totally share and he deserves a full summer. We’ve said this before, I know. But unlike ego-maniac Peter Taylor and Peter ‘all talk no trousers’ Jackson, there seems to me to be more method in the madness with Parkinson. He doesn’t fill the air with delusions of grandeur unlike his predecessor or continuously harp on about how much he loves the club. We get it Jacko, but what we would like is a MANAGER. For me, Parkinson needs time and he needs support to help build this institution back up. Hopefully, the board will remain cool-headed and back their man this summer.
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