Wednesday 19th August, 2009last year, mid-August
What should happen next?
Football is a game dominated by the word should – in its margins, in its illusions and even in its contradictions.
A team defending a set piece should never concede – listen to the regularity of managers declaring it “unforgivable” their team conceded from a set piece – yet the team with an attacking free kick or corner should produce a meaningful threat on goal. A winger charging forward with just a full back to get past should beat their man, yet when the same team’s full back faces a winger in similar circumstances they should always stop the route to goal.
And so it was at Valley Parade on Tuesday night where a story of two penalties saw the outcome of the match decided by achievement and failure to do the should . Bradford City’s Michael Flynn should have scored the first half penalty – despite a wonder save preventing him – while Lincoln City’s Rene Howe did what he should from the exact same spot in the second half, firing his penalty into the net. It was a game that, based on chances and territorial advantage, the Bantams should have won, but instead they ended the night beaten when they should not have been – on this occasion should have won and should not have lost proving to be two separate things.
The first half showing from the home side was notably more impressive than anything mustered so far this season. Overcoming a tentative start, the ball was passed around with greater urgency and attempts on goal belatedly began to be unleashed with regular occurrence. Of course City should have scored from one of a number of presentable chances, though the slightly lowered confidence and slightly heightened apprehension due to not yet finding the net this campaign contributed towards making what would normally be relatively simple opportunities more difficult to take.
The clearest opportunity of them all was that spot kick from Flynn. While the penalty taker should always score in such circumstances, penalty misses are a fact of life and it’s difficult to attach too much blame on Flynn’s effort given Lincoln keeper Rob Burch’s impressive athleticism in keeping it out. Nevertheless what happened between the referee blowing for the spot kick and Flynn beginning his run up was troubling, with Flynn, Gareth Evans and Peter Thorne all seemingly fighting over who should take it.
Which doesn’t reflect brilliantly on manager Stuart McCall. When debates rage over the great managers of this sport, one of the most common features among the success stories is a meticulous attention to detail and level of planning. If, as the evidence of the argument suggests, City took to the field without a designated spot kick taker it would appear certain preparations were overlooked by the management staff. Nothing wrong with Flynn being the penalty taker, but his thoughts while preparing to take the spot kick should have been focused solely on which direction he was going to dispatch his effort, not on fighting off team mates from taking the ball off him.
Thorne’s role as captain is also open to question. He may have only been part of the discussion to moderate proceedings between Evans and Flynn – his last penalty kick for City was a tame and costly effort – but if he was arguing his case to take it, his subsequent failure to do so leaves question marks over his authority. A penalty miss is forgivable, but the decision for who was to take it should already have been made on the training ground.
But if Lincoln should have trundled off at half time two or three goals behind, their second half response was a lesson for everyone. The Bantams continued to press forward, but a half time tactical switch from Lincoln, which saw Andy Hutchinson replace Scott Kerr, exploited a weakness in the way the home side were lined up. The Imps time wasted, fouled at every opportunity and took steps to keep slowing and stopping the game, but retained an ambition to get forward on the counter attack that was to prove decisive.
Stuart should have spotted Lincoln’s intentions sooner, twice they broke through and almost took advantage of slip ups at the back, but steps to close the gaps were not taken and eventually punished. Both the quick-fire goals were the result of defensive slip ups, with every member of the back four seemingly culpable at differing points, but they can justifiably argue that a lack of cover from the rest of the team left them too exposed to Lincoln’s attacking pace.
Chris Brandon is showing himself to be an effective, if sometimes frustrating, player going forward. In an effort to make City less predictable and break down defensive-minded teams like Port Vale and Lincoln, he’s been afforded a free role to roam around the pitch stimulating attacking moves. James Hanson has lined up on the left side of midfield, with the instructions to support the attack rather than play a traditional winger role. Yet when City were not in possession the positioning from both caused problems, with both Simon Ramsden and Luke O’Brien left too exposed. With Lee Bullock and Flynn also neglecting their defensive responsibilities after the break, too many home players appeared only concerned with breaking the deadlock. This could be gotten away with against a Vale side short of attacking purpose, but with Peter Jackson successfully able to spot the flaws a game City should not have lost was.
All of which leaves questions over the way City lined up. Playing Brandon is such a role looks good and will surely lead to goals in time, but is allowing one member of a hard working but limited team the freedom to charge around with few defensive responsibilities a luxury that can be afforded? With the relatively higher wages and undoubted higher level of ability, Brandon is hardly a player Stuart can ignore, but his role in the team may have to be adapted at the sacrifice of roaming around to find a match winning pass in order to be a more integral part of a side that is harder to beat.
The second half was far from doom and gloom, with City’s response to going 2-0 down encouraging given the heads didn’t drop and the chances were created – watch a re-run of the many home defeats in recent years and compare. Even a consolation goal might have made a significant difference to the mood ahead of a tough trip to Cheltenham on Saturday, where defeat is entirely possible and will see pressure growing ahead of the next home game against Torquay.
This in turn leaves Stuart under increasing scrutiny. With each impressive performance and League Two-busting signing from Notts County, the 5-0 opening day defeat appears less of a shock. Few could have expected a result at Nottingham Forest in the cup and the Port Vale game was generally encouraging, but defeat on Tuesday came when City should have won and while that is largely down to chances that should have been taken it also is also partly down to Stuart, who should be doing better at maximising the advantage his team appeared to have.
So what should happen next? A heavy cloud of doom and gloom has descended on BD8 since events at Meadow Lane, and shows little sign of shifting just yet. City badly need a goal, which will be the start of bad luck reversing and the unquestionable high effort being rewarded. A win at Whaddon Road makes the world a brighter place, a follow up victory over Torquay would raise the status of the start of the season from ‘bad’ to ‘indifferent’. Stuart has to prove himself good enough, the players have to prove themselves good enough, but we supporters should also consider ourselves part of the team that must turn it around, too.
It’s time to crank up the volume and back this club louder than ever – at least that’s what should happen.
As always, an article constructed by Jason with lots of thought; which unfortunately, doesn’t always happen with those supporting the team in claret and amber at Valley Parade. Once the second Lincoln goal was scored last night, the moans, groans and negativety brigage raised their ugly head. I suppose it’s inevitable in a society where most (not all) people want immediate and successful outcomes.
I thought that McCall’s post-match comments on BBC Radio Leeds last night were as honest as always. A point rasied by Stuart that summed it up for me was that all of the City players tried.
Although, it’s still early days this season, I believe that Ramsden, Williams, O’Leary, Flynn, Evans and Hanson all look like decent players for the English 4th division. Too many of our supporters think (or like to think) that we were in Division 1 only a couple of seasons ago. The days of playing in the top flight of English football are nrealy a decade ago and people should remember that we are in the division that we deserve to be in.
At the end of last nights game, it was encouraging to see Flynn walk towards the Kop and applaud the City supporters who hadn’t left the game early. Good on Flynn for his attitude. He could have easily trudged off to the dressing room without acknowledging the home supporters after his penalty miss. What surprised me a little more was the applauding given by the few thousand left inside Valley Parade when the final whistle was blown. Yes – there were boos too but in the upper tier of the Kop, I along with others were applauding.
It’s been written about many times on this website before about the vocal support inside Valley Parade. The negative vibes spread like a cancer and at the moment the boo boys and girls have got too much ammunition based purely on results at the moment.
Jason, I just wanted to say that this is a top article and hits the right spot in so many areas – outlining both the positives and the concerns City fans have right now.
It deserves a more detailed comment than I am providing but I have to go out!
Great article Jason, I agree with the points made here.
Personally I think that last night’s score-line was embarrassing, but I agree with Stuart McCall when he said we should have been 3-0 up at the break. The result was a cruel reflection of the game when you consider the amount of chances we created.
You pose the question what should happen next? I think a change of tactics is needed. We have been playing a 4-3-2-1 formation against Port Vale and a similar formation against Lincoln. It’s time we went back to 4-4-2 with the wingers playing deeper and with the full-backs overlapping. Ramsden and O’Brien could be a real potent threat going forward if they had the wingers to work with. In the last two games, Ramsden has run his socks off going forward, but with little support in front of him both on the front and back foot. Hansen would be very effective playing more central and Brandon could do a job on the left wing.
Finally, is it too late to name Brandon as captain…
What should happen next? A very pertinent question but one with multiple answers.
Ignore the knee-jerk reaction. Ignore the booing minority.The result last night did not deserve such a response. There is so much promise in such an untried squad but it will take time to come through and we need to be patient and build on the positives.
BUT… one thing should happen now and involves talk before any action.
Captaincy is a matter of character not seniority.Stuart must know the qualities he wants in his captain and a full squad discussion on this subject seems well overdue if on-field evidence is anything to go by. The captaincy didn’t work last season and seems to be on “default setting” so far this season. A captian needs to be involved in the game in such a way that he can influence those around him by talking as well as by example.An isolated role on the field and an uncertainty regarding regular appearances is not conducive to good captaincy regardless of seniority.
Democracy can have its weaknesses.But even such a fundamentally cooperative unit as a football team needs a leader and not just an appointed figurehead.So credit the players with more responsibility.Ask them the question – not who do they want, not who wants it, but who wants it enough to make it work?
The result could tell Stuart a lot about his players.It could also crank up the volume on the field as well as in the stands.
Thanks Jason for putting last night into a better perspective. I and many around me trudged out of VP and felt profoundly depressed following the defeat by Lincoln. But that hurt only means that we care and want success to return. I screamed encouragement at Joe when he made his appearance. My voice is only one in the Midland Rd stand. We need games thick and fast now. We are better than we were two years ago but it might be a few years before we finally escape the basement division and I for one will be watch and waiting (whilst enjoying!)
Andy G, I’m with you – Brandon put in a captains performance last night. He was the focal point of the side and when the goals went in he was the only one I saw geeing up his team-mates…
The main cause of concern for me was Stuart’s reluctance to make decisions. At 2-0, I, and many around me, felt changes were neccessary, but Stuart just stood motionless , seemingly out of ideas(??)
Take Jackson on the other hand who made some clever tactical changes and could be seen (and heard) rollocking his players for a missed pass in injury time despite having won the game.
I’ve never been one for blaming the manager (if I performed badly in my job, my boss wouldn’t get the boot!), but it almost seems like his desire for the job has started to slip a little. I hope I’m wrong.
1. If McCall has guts he’ll take the captaincy away from thorne
2. Let the attackers take direct free kicks and penalties
3. after watching the reserves last night give McLaughlin a start
Interesting comment this. After watching twenty years of him playing and a few of him managing Ive never once heard anyone suggest he has no guts and I’ve no idea why anyone would say he hasn’t. Picking Thorne as captain was a decision one might not agree with but it is hardly cowardly.
I’m a bit tired of reading negative suggestions (as opposed to negative comments for example) such as stop Thorne being captain or drop Daley or sack McCall (which are not necessarily Gregs thoughts)
I don’t gamble but I’m pretty sure you get very small winnings betting on what will not happen and negative suggestions are just that. Picking a horse that won’t win. If Thorne should be captain then I’d like to read someone say who should and why it would be better. Likewise with McCall, Daley et al. Perhaps this is reflected in which comments are getting onto BfB at the moment.
Phil Neal was Liverpool right back and never missed a penalty and Alex Stepney was Manchester United’s keeper and took them. Man U also seemed to think that Beckham was worth a go with free kicks despite him being a midfielder.
Flynn hit his penalty well enough but Burch saved well. Simple.
Whatever is said now, the jury is out on McCall’s future as manager of this club – I desperately wanted him to succeed but now find myself questioing many things – I won’t resort to bad mouthing him on message boards though – whatever happens, he has done his best and that’s all you can ask from anyone – time is against him now to turn things around but he will still be a club legend whatever.
Saturday’s game is critical in terms of the result for everyone connected with the club – a win from a goal off someone’s backside will lift the gloom a little, anything less than 3 points and the pressure continues to build – 4 games into the season and we talk like this – that confirms the level of expectation at VP.
It has been mentioned that some supporters still think of the club operating at Championship or League 1 level – I don’t think so myself, we are a big fish in a small pond and that builds the opposition up for every game – we have to be able to handle that as a team if we want to gain promotion.
Mark, I think many people are questioning McCall’s ability to guide us out of this league – this is a natural reaction given his failure to do so last season (if not the season before). Hell, even McCall seemed to be questioning his own credentials at the end of last season.
The key is to keep the faith. The last two home games have seen City dominate for large periods playing some good passing football. The wins will come if the panicking and nervousness stops. It is McCall’s job to keep the player’s heads from dropping and doubt creeping in, and the fan’s responsibility to get behind the team. I will be travelling to Cheltenham on Saturday quietly confident of a result.
A question I would ask the McCall Out brigade given the chance: Who would be a better candidate than Stuart bearing in mind our resources?
This is not a rhetorical question; I really want some suggestions, purely because I dread the thought of Stan Ternant or Wetherhall/Jacobs becoming McCall’s successors (bearing in mind our resources)
I absolutely agree that this is not the time to start panicking – the performance on Tuesday was in many ways encouraging. But I do, however, agree with a couple of the comments above.
I have never though it is a good idea to have forwards as team captain and I can think of very few that have made a decent fist of it, at any level of football; it is a job for centre backs or central midfielders in my view. Flynn would be my choice, having had successful experience in the role elsewhere.
I was also perturbed by the length of time it took for Stuart and Jakes to make a decision about subs after the second goal went in – they were chatting away for ages as the subs warmed up, whilst the game was slipping away from us. The situation demanded a decisive response that was not forthcoming. I would have expected them to have had some idea of a Plan B (eg take off Thorne and Bully, who were both ineffective, bring on Colbeck and Boulding and switch Hanson to the centre). We eventually arrived at something like this configuration but the game was nearly over by then.