Saturday 13th March, 20104 months ago
Peter Taylor and the Bradford Bug
Bradford City 2 Aldershot Town 1 At Valley Parade in League Two, 2009/2010
City earned a hard fought victory against playoff contenders Aldershot, as Peter Taylor’s influence on the club continues to yield positive results.
The manner of the defeat to Port Vale in midweek was disappointing given recent progress – and Taylor was quick to admit the City players had not lived up to the standards that he expected in the Vale game.
But it was the reaction to that defeat that was the question this afternoon – and City didn’t disappoint despite a bumpy start.
Matt Glennon disappointingly split a long range shot – only able to palm the ball into harms way – which allowed Anthony Straker the chance to nip in and slot home the opener as Aldershot took the lead.
But City did not let the goal affect their confidence. Within five minutes, they had drawn level and produced a goal of real quality.
Michael Flynn, again playing in a more advanced role compared to his usual central midfield position, chased a long ball on the right and shielded the ball away from the Aldershot left back Charles. He then turned and produced a perfectly flighted cross with his left foot from the right wing, which top scorer James Hanson brilliantly headed home to level things up.
Hanson has had a dream first season at City – his first in League football. Combining hard work up front with some quite superb finishes – he has proved he can finish in the air (as you would expect), but he also has got some great finishes up his sleeve with his feet (remember that bicycle kick against Crewe at home?!).
And in this game, he was everywhere. Defensively clearing crosses from corners, and tracking back to defend like I have seen no City centre forward do in many, many years. It all seems to be part of Taylor’s ethos of “not letting any player neglect their defensive duties” and not allowing any player to cruise through games, regardless of their position, which Omar Daley confirmed in his post match interview.
After the equaliser, City had their tails up and produced another fine goal, which proved to be decisive. A very good run and cross from Luke O’Brien on the left ended with Omar Daley taking possession. After feigning to shoot once, he then turned and produced a rocket of a strike with his left foot that sent the Kop wild.
City then engaged in a tight contest for the remainder of the game, with the emphasis being on defending and trying to stop the opposition from scoring rather than adding to the lead.
Glennon redeemed himself for his earlier error with an excellent save from a first half Aldershot effort, and the City keeper commanded his area brilliantly and caught every cross in the second half.
City had a real let off with 15 minutes to go when substitute “Marvellous” Marvin Morgan took on debutant City defender Luke Oliver, beat him, and whipped in a perfect cross onto the head of Marlon Jackson, who astonishingly missed his header from 5 yards when it looked harder to miss than score.
But the Aldershot defence were certainly not immune to mistakes, – in particular second choice keeper Venezuelan Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz, and the concession of a third goal could easily have happened. In particular with two very strong penalty shouts. Omar Daley went one on one with a defender, and with Daley leaving the defender in his wake, he was clean through before he appeared to be impeded before trying to finish off the move with a goal. But the post match interview with Aldershot manager Kevin Dillon told a different story – with Dillon angrily suggesting that he thought that Daley took a blatant dive that would apparently be shown on “Soccer AM” next week. Surely they are not that short of material? I suppose only a replay will settle that score.
The strong shout for a penalty for City late in the second half. Debutant Gavin Grant, only for Omar Daley with 25 minutes to go, produced a strong run and seemed to be felled in the area when surrounded by two Aldershot defenders. The penalty shouts were waived away by the referee but City hung on to clinch all three points.
There is a definite improvement in this City side with Taylor in the managerial hotseat, and his record now reads four wins from seven games, including highly impressive away victories at top three sides Rochdale and Rotherham.
Admittedly, he has brought in players on short term deals until the end of the season, but there is no reason why any of the players he has brought in (expect for Robbie Threlfall, who might go a League or two above) could be playing for Bradford City next season. Adam Bolder in particular has impressed, and did again today, breaking up play, playing simple balls well and having an influence on the game.
For me, Peter Taylor needs to be handed a new deal as soon as possible. His positive vibes around the club, about how he is enjoying it and has caught the “Bradford Bug” is very pleasing to read. He is and was an outstanding appointment, and if he is enjoying it that much, then lets hold up our end of the deal and give Taylor this chance to finally get Bradford City out of this awful league next season.
But to leave the much discussed managerial debate behind, wont it be interesting to see which of the current crop of players will be with us next season? For me, I’m afraid Peter Thorne’s time at the club looks to be over. Thorne has been brilliant and prolific for City in previous seasons, but I don’t think he fits into Taylors ethos of “a striker that is willing to put in the work defensively”.
Equally, the expensive and underperforming Chris Brandon looks to have been given the boot by Taylor. And James O’Brien, Michael Boulding, Zesh Rehman and Scott Neilson look to be players that Taylor doesn’t seem to rate as the “right” kind of players to get us promoted from League Two. I trust his judgement and that seems to point towards us having an almost completely new squad once again next season. How many times will we need to rebuild the squad before we get it right?
Excellent summary Omar. I thought it was a very entertaining game, one of the better home games this season, and Aldershot looked a strong side. It was a credible three points.
I’d echo your thoughts on Hanson. I’d argue that was his best game to date in a City shirt, he was outstanding. What a signing he is proving to be.
An excellent article Omar. I think its too early to know what PT thinks of James O’Brien because of his injury, and Neilson has been loaned out to get him ready for next season. If rumours are true of the Boulding brothers and Thorney being paid up along with Brandon then it appears that the team is already being shaped for next season. Its all positive for me, roll on next Saturday.
How can you say PT doesn’t rate James O’Brien? He has only just started training after his operation and not had the chance to impress at all yet.
Also, PT is on record as saying he likes Scott Neilson but the problem is his fitness, he needs regular games and his confidence should be returning during his spell at Cambridge.
Overall a good article Omar.
However, Paul has already noted a point that I wanted to raise about James O’Brien. I rate James O’Brien on the evidence of the games that I have seen him play in this season and Peter Taylor hasn’t been able to see James O’Brien play yet due to injury.
Unfortunately, I too think that Peter Thorne will not be a Bradford City player next season. However, I still think that he can do a good job for Bradford City. Thorne holds the ball up very well and brings other City players into play with his accurate lay offs. He rarely loses possession and whilst I agree with your thoughts on James Hanson, for me Thorne is the best Bradford City striker at bringing other players into the game.
Finally, I would like to know what you mean when you say “…get Bradford City out of this awful league…” Are you referring to the standard of referees we have witnessed this season or the lack of free flowing passing football seen in this division? For me, you can keep the expensive ticket prices of the higher divisions, the all seater stadium that lack character and the overpaid players who seem to be more in the news for their off the field activites than their on the field activities. I’ve loved standing at Torquay, Accrington and Aldershot this season. Their grounds may not be as posh as Old Trafford or the Stadium of Light but for me these “smaller” clubs have plenty of character and the passion shown by their supporters has been evident in their vocal support for such small crowds.
Hi Guys
To respond to the comments – i’ll admit i might have jumped the gun regarding James O’Brien given his recent injury. However, i struggle to see him fitting into Taylors plans this season given the signings of Bolder and Grant. Where would Taylor play him? I liked O’Brien to start with. But he has proved to be inconsistent – and when he is off his game, he really is ineffective and i honestly don’t see him having a major role in the team next season unfortunately. Unless you are a winger ( which doesnt appear to be O’Briens favoured position), effective League Two central midfields need to be big , strong, and are more concerned with defensive responsibility than creativity – and i think Taylor will adopt that ethos given the chance next season. Bournemouth’s Marvin Bartley is a good example of this type of player.
But i do hope O’Brien does make it and proves me wrong.
Regarding Scott Neilson, if PT wanted to give him fitness why not play him week in week out for the rest of the season? Do they player longer than 90 minutes at Cambridge? And why is he lacking match fitness? Hasnt he started 22 games this season in League Two? These questions are interesting and my personal view on Neilson is that he is a good pacey player , but might not be quite good enough to be part of a promotion chasing team next season, largely due to his inability to finish and put the ball in the back of the net. Take Morecambe away this season for example. He had a very good game running at defenders, but in the crucial moments where he was clean through and could have finished the game and got us three points – he seemed to only be able to fire straight at the keeper.
Finally, with regards the “getting out of this awful league” – lets be honest – the football isnt great. I can only take so much of John Still’s “direct” football at Dagenham where players are rumoured to get fined a weeks wages if players try to get the ball down and player. Or the absolutely laughable situation at Darlington with a 25,000 seater stadium and they struggle to even get 2,000 home fans to come to the match – probably not surprising given the type of football they play. And of course the referee for the most part is nothing short of criminal.
Surprisingly, the standard these days in League One is far superior and a vast difference to League Two. Its not all about “going long” – a tactic that school boys can play effectively.
Imagine the derbies we might have had if we were in League One this season?
Equally, i do agree with you about certain away days in League Two – i am particularly looking forward to the trip to Burton in a couple of weeks – playing a team who are a real credit to the division and standing on the terraces. I would take a repeat of another 6-5 away win!