Comments on: One down… Bradford City 2 Notts County 1

By: Rob Hunt

Rob Hunt — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 11:57:04 +0000

I don’t know if anyone else noticed it but the referee clearly came over to Stuart and admitted that he had “made a mistake” with the Conlon foul. (He used different words but you get the drift…)

Frankly, the best way for referees to get “respect” is for them to do their jobs properly.

By: Bingley Tom

Bingley Tom — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 08:36:27 +0000

There were a number of very notable performances on Saturday, non-more so than that of Graeme Lee – I thought he was excellent and added that little bit of composure Weatherall seemed to of lacked on the ball.

People from Rotherham tell me Paul McLaren is like a rugby player, he can only pass sideways or backwards. I always ask, is that a bad thing? I saw him on number of occasions pass the ball back to the defence in order to keep possession and to build a stage for our next attacking move. His cool, calm and collective approach will make a huge difference in the standard of City’s football this season.

Omar Daley was magnificent, but I feel Barry Conlon deserves credit; he shoulders the weight of our front line and his defensive capabilities always seem to be overlooked. Boulding looked sharp and will be pushing for a place tomorrow. Furthermore, with Brandon and Colbeck returning over the next couple of weeks, selection dilemmas seem to be popping up throughout the starting Xi. A great position to be in, but I would not like to say who to drop… so over to you Mr McCall!

By: Mark Williams

Mark Williams — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 11:15:27 +0000

There was much to admire yesterday - we look a team with some strength in depth - bearing in mind who was on the bench plus the recovering Brandon and suspended Colbeck - no one can be 100% sure of their place which is good for the months ahead when form dips and inevitable injuries occur.

We’ll have to fight for a top 3 place I agree but at long last we really do look capable of achieving automatic promotion - the crowd at VP can be a big asset this season.

County were similar to last seasons opponents Macclesfield on day one, full of running and energy but lacking a finisher like Thorne - but we got 3 points this time round rather than 1.

The referee could have awarded us 3 penalties and County 1, but for reasons unknown preferred to only penalise 50/50 challenges in open play - his vigorous hand movements showing rubbing of thighs and seemingly a tree trunk were of pantomine season - maybe he thought Windass was watching?