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Grimsby v Bradford Preview

By: Alex Green
Date: 24/10/2008

AN unbeaten run in desperate need of a win. It could have been all so different if the games ended after 89 minutes but nonetheless it’s the first 45 seconds which have held most excitement of late so make sure you're safely in your seat by kick off.

Home > 2008-2009 Season > Previews > Bradford (h)


The Opposition

Overview

Like most newly relegated teams Bradford found it hard to adjust in their first season in League Two and even though they are the best supported team in the league by the way of a brilliant season ticket scheme it still didn't assure the Bantams an immediate return to League One. Finishing 10th, just two points behind the also relegated Rotherham, Stuart McCall will now need to push for promotion and his team had already started well. Three straight wins at the start of the season against Notts County, Macclesfield and Rochdale couldn't have got the West Yorkshire side off to a better start even though a 4-0 drubbing to local rivals Huddersfield in the Carling Cup wiped the gloss off a near perfect beginning. Since the three opening league games Bradford have lost four times, the worst of which would be the 3-1 defeats at home to struggling Bournemouth. This defeat followed an impressive 4-1 victory at home to Exeter who Town drew with last Saturday. The win seemed to herald a great start and a good season for the Bantams but since that day and the 3-1 defeat that followed City have only managed 1 win out of 6. The one win against Accrington was far from convincing with City trailing 2-0 with nine minutes remaining before goals by Boulding, Conlon and Thorne 2 of which were in the last 2 minutes snatched a victory from the North West. Suffice to say McCall’s teams at current are struggling and won't be looking forward to a trip to a resurgent Blundell Park.

The Team
What do you want me to say? Bradford usually play with 11 men 1 usually in goal with 4 defenders, 4 midfielders, 1 striker and a place for Rory Boulding to play to keep his brother happy? Other then that City are fairly straightforward. McCall has kept his trust in the team from last season maintaining stability as a key factor in their promotion campaign only 4 new signings entered Valley Parade, Bradford and Bingley, Pulse Stadium, That place the Bulls don't play at. 1 was the much touted will this go on forever its worse then the Ronaldo thing. Yes Micky Boulding decided he needed to keep in contention for an international call up so decided to play league football rather then slum it in deepest wildest Nottinghamshire. Oh and his brother followed him too like a buy one get on free deal, Morrison’s HQ obviously not involved in any shape of form would of been so proud they followed after their city brethren. Rhys Evans (left, no he ain’t Welsh) signed from Millwall figuring his name was too stereotypical to stick it out any further in East London also Graeme Lee signed too because he was a little bored of playing on the Wii fit. Out went only 2 happy chappys Darren Williams deciding it wasn't northern enough in Bradford went to play for Dundee, while Eddie Johnson went back to his mum and dad in Chester. Other then that they still have experienced defender Paul Flippingheckingbottom, Joe Colbeck and impressive striker Barry Conlon. Also David Wetherall didn't out last Dean Windass (always get them 2 mixed up) and retired last year at the tender age of 634.


One to Watch
Micky Boulding. The former Tennis Ace? Nope The former Tennis Player, Aston Villa although it didn't go brilliantly frontman once played for us you know? Grimsby so crap he left it twice, well sort of even though Mansfield got relegated the former Mariner showed he was too good for this league if I'm honest shipping in a hatful of goals which nearly single handedly kept The Stags up. Never the less his endeavours were fruitless and on their relegation shipped out to Bradford to find some success, try under the sofa. His pace may not be as blistering as it once was but still is pretty brilliant in front of goal and has learnt more and more ever since his late arrival in football. Having scored only 4 goals he will most probably get a 5th Friday night in the 98th minute.

Recent Form

TownBradford
DLuton(h)2-2
DExeter(a)0-0
DWycombe(h)1-1
LScunthorpe (JPT),(a)1-2
LRotherham(a)1-4
Currently 21st in League Two.
LDarlington(a)1-2
DGillingham(h)2-2
WAccrington(a)3-2
DLuton(h)1-1
LShrewsbury(a)0-2
Currently 7th in League Two.

Top Scorers

TownBradford
North2
Till2
Hegarty2
Thorne10
Boulding4

Team News

TownBradford

  • Danny Boshell (hamstring) returns while Richard Hope is also available
  • Loan defender Tom Clarke will go into Bradford's squad as cover for Mark Bower (thigh).

  • Striker Michael Boulding should return to the starting line-up after injury.
  • Squads

    TownBradford
    1GKPhil Barnes
    2DFRobbie Stockdale
    3DFTom Newey
    4DFRyan Bennett
    5DFMatthew Heywood (c)
    6DFRichard Hope
    7MFPeter Till
    8MFPaul Bolland
    10MFChris Llewellyn
    11MFDanny Boshell
    12DFJamie Clarke
    13GKGary Montgomery
    14MFJames Hunt
    15DFMatthew Bird
    16DFJavan Vidal
    17MFNick Hegarty
    18MFPeter Bore
    19FWDanny North
    20FWAndy Taylor
    21MFSimon Heslop
    22FWNathan Jarman
    23MFGrant Normington
    24MFLiam Trotter
    25MFMalvin Kamara
    26FWTomi Ameobi
    27GKLeigh Overton
    1GKRhys Evans
    2DFPaul Arnison
    3DFPaul Heckingbottom
    4MFPaul McLaren
    5DFGraeme Lee (Captain)
    6DFMark Bower
    7MFOmar Daley
    8MFLee Bullock
    9FWBarry Conlon
    10FWPeter Thorne
    11MFChris Brandon
    12DFMatthew Clarke
    13GKJonathan McLaughlin
    14FWMichael Boulding
    15MFJoe Colbeck
    16DFSimon Ainge
    17FWWilly Topp
    18FWRory Boulding
    19DFLuke O'Brien
    20DFTJ Moncur (on loan from Fulham)
    22MFKyle Nix
    23MFDean Furman (on loan from Rangers)
    26MFLuke Sharry
    27FWLeon Osborne
    30GKMatthew Convey
    31MFLouis Horne
    ??DFTom Clarke (on loan from Huddersfield Town)

    Head to Head

    Grimsby have not beaten Bradford for the last eight games, and before that City just have the edge.

    P 55 W 18 D 13 L 24 F 67 A 78

    Bradford Head-to-Head (71st on The Opposition Ladder)

    Last Meeting

    Bradford 2 Grimsby 1 (Sat 19th April 2008)

    The teams last met at the end of last season. Grimsby led at half time through Till, but second half goals through Thorne and Colbec undid the Mariners.

    Report

    Prediction

    I'm going to go for a quick goal by hmmm Peter Bore followed by an equaliser in the last minute because I'm just that good.

    Grimsby Town 1-1 Bradford City

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