Bolton Wanderers Vs Bradford City

[F!RTHY]

Probably the most eagerly awaited fixture this season for most City fans. Primarily due to the Parkinson factor, but it's a stadium we haven't visited since 1998, and it has very quickly turned into an early top of the table clash.

With 4,400 City fans making the trip, its bound to be a great outing. I imagine Bolton will do their bit to help fill the home corners, too.

To get anything out of this game, we need to turn it on again - and start to play football.

Hanson can't start, but he will - of which will be our downfall. Sadly, some fans are still defending him, of which will never cease - after all, he did score and Wembley and against Villa.

Doyle

Darby Vincelot KNP Meredith

Marshall Dieng Cullen Law

Clarke McNulty

We all know what Parkinson's about. Don't go in there and play the high ball against defenders like Beevers - the outcome of that is still fresh in the memory from the play-off semi against Millwall. We must ensure we resort back to our tippy-tappy football to stand a chance IMO.

We're still unbeaten, which is great - and although we're dominating play in most games, we're lacking that cutting edge.

Cant predict this one, but 3 points would be massive.

 

[SF_]

Can't see anything but a draw in this one, good following from Bradford.

 

[finley]

Probably the most eagerly awaited fixture this season for most City fans. Primarily due to the Parkinson factor, but it's a stadium we haven't visited since 1998, and it has very quickly turned into an early top of the table clash.

With 4,400 City fans making the trip, its bound to be a great outing. I imagine Bolton will do their bit to help fill the home corners, too.

To get anything out of this game, we need to turn it on again - and start to play football.

Hanson can't start, but he will - of which will be our downfall. Sadly, some fans are still defending him, of which will never cease - after all, he did score and Wembley and against Villa.

Doyle

Darby Vincelot KNP Meredith

Marshall Dieng Cullen Law

Clarke McNulty

We all know what Parkinson's about. Don't go in there and play the high ball against defenders like Beevers - the outcome of that is still fresh in the memory from the play-off semi against Millwall. We must ensure we resort back to our tippy-tappy football to stand a chance IMO.

We're still unbeaten, which is great - and although we're dominating play in most games, we're lacking that cutting edge.

Cant predict this one, but 3 points would be massive.

One change to that team for me.I would bring back McCardle,put Vincelot into midfield (he was only ever going to be a stop gap CB until other CBs were fit).This would mean dropping Dieng which is tough as he has done well.Tight game i think with one goal either way,but which way i couldn't say.

 

[Neilo G]

Looking forward to this one, i expect Parky to get a wonderful ovation for dragging us from the doldrums and putting the pride back into supporting Bradford City.

Can't believe you think they shouldn't play Hanson on Saturday Firthy. Bolton are a big team and will be a massive threat from set pieces. Who is our best header, Hanson! Even if you think he limits us going forward (i personally don't), this is the one game you are likely to need him just like we missed him in the playoffs against a big Millwall side.

Anyway, i don't think any of us are expecting many goals!

 

[Cas]

Parkinson will do what he does best and go for a 1-0 win. Think he'll get it too.

 

[F!RTHY]

Looking forward to this one, i expect Parky to get a wonderful ovation for dragging us from the doldrums and putting the pride back into supporting Bradford City.

Can't believe you think they shouldn't play Hanson on Saturday Firthy. Bolton are a big team and will be a massive threat from set pieces. Who is our best header, Hanson! Even if you think he limits us going forward (i personally don't), this is the one game you are likely to need him just like we missed him in the playoffs against a big Millwall side.

Anyway, i don't think any of us are expecting many goals!

So, we should play Hanson because he can head a ball - and yet when we're defending a corner in the 18tg min, you want your striker back there defending? Ever heard of an outlet? With Hanson, we don't have one. Thus penned in, inviting pressure.

So forgive me in suggesting that a player who cannot control a ball with his feet shouldn't start. He offers nothing in an attacking sense, even more so now McCall has taken over.

Revert back to Parkinson tactics because we're playing against a Parkinson team, or do the right thing and drop Hanson and revert back to fluid, attacking football - something of which we and Parkinson always struggled with during his 5 year tenure.

Absolute no brainer if you ask me.

 

[Mighty_Bantam]

I actually think Firthy is right.

Bringing Hanson back in plays into PP and Boltons hands. Having him up top will be meat and drink for Beevers and Wheater. Having movement up top is key. I actually think we should bring McArdle back in, move Vincelot into midfield as an extra body and have one man up top in McNulty.

We all know how much PPs teams struggle against a 5 man midfield.

My team would be;

Doyle

Darby
McArdle
NKP
Meredith

Vincelot
Cullen
Dieng

Law
Marshall

McNulty

 

[Neilo G]

I really do struggle to get my head round these Hanson basher's as they watch a different game to me.

There is a good reason why every manager over the past 6/7 years have picked him as soon as he is fit or are you saying none of them know what they are doing? When you hear opposition managers talking about us, they more often than not talk about Hanson as the main threat.
He often draws two men to him as well thus creating space for others but supporters never seem to see that.
We all know he's a 10-15 goal a season striker, but he gives the team so more than that and put the right forward next to him and get some good crosses in and he always causes problems.

We have been vulnerable from set pieces & corners this season (eg Oldham) and the likes of Beevers, Wheater & Proctor could have a field day of Saturday if Hanson doesn't play. And in the couple of games he's played so far his touch/link up play has been fine.
Bolton is one of the fixtures we need as big a team as possible out there.

I do agree McArdle needs to come back if possible and Vincelot moving back to his best position ASAP.

 

[F!RTHY]

I really do struggle to get my head round these Hanson basher's as they watch a different game to me.

There is a good reason why every manager over the past 6/7 years have picked him as soon as he is fit or are you saying none of them know what they are doing? When you hear opposition managers talking about us, they more often than not talk about Hanson as the main threat.
He often draws two men to him as well thus creating space for others but supporters never seem to see that.
We all know he's a 10-15 goal a season striker, but he gives the team so more than that and put the right forward next to him and get some good crosses in and he always causes problems.

We have been vulnerable from set pieces & corners this season (eg Oldham) and the likes of Beevers, Wheater & Proctor could have a field day of Saturday if Hanson doesn't play. And in the couple of games he's played so far his touch/link up play has been fine.
Bolton is one of the fixtures we need as big a team as possible out there.

I do agree McArdle needs to come back if possible and Vincelot moving back to his best position ASAP.

Instead of going into player preferences(as the Hanson debate as become tedious over the years), can you tell me your thoughts on the Bristol game? More specifically, how we played compared to all other previous games this season, and why so many players had a poor game (e.g. Marshall)?

There's a link in there somewhere.

 

[Neilo G]

The Bristol game was very similar to the Oldham game from what i was watching. We were the better team but didn't carve out that much in terms of clear cut opportunities. The main difference to me was that we would have won that game if Hanson had been playing as he would have been marking Peter Clarke who scored from the free kick.

You can't be pointing to Marshall's average performance on Saturday just because Hanson was on the pitch, that's just ridiculous.

One thing is for certain, Parky will be desperately hoping Hanson is not in the starting line up on Saturday, that is for sure.

 

[Robert Molenaar]

Anyone know of any free parking around the ground?

 

[Muzzle]

No free parking near trhe ground, if you park in the residential area you will get towed. Best bet is to come off the motor way for Horwich and get in outside lane. When you get to the roundabout with the ugly looking trophy statue come off at second turniung (DO NOT COME OFF AT MACRON). Get in the outside lane and when you see the traffic lights at the bottom get in the outside or third lane, as you will be turning right at the lights. Follow the road down there until you come to the second turning on the left (if you come to the bridge and past the pub on the left you have gone too far. This road is generally free paking but watch out for signs. It is a 10 minute walk but free

 

[NorthernMonkey]

There is a good reason why every manager over the past 6/7 years have picked him as soon as he is fit

"Every manager" ......... There's only been two and that includes the current one!

 

[Notwal]

"Every manager" ......... There's only been two and that includes the current one!

Sorry bud, There's been 4 (Stuart, Peter Taylor, Peter Jackson and parky)...6 if you include caretaker managers (Wayne Jacobs and Colin cooper)

 

[NorthernMonkey]

Sorry bud, There's been 4 (Stuart, Peter Taylor, Peter Jackson and parky)...6 if you include caretaker managers (Wayne Jacobs and Colin cooper)

Yep, it was clearly just a test so congratulations notwal, you er, passed

 

[Notwal]

Yep, it was clearly just a test so congratulations notwal, you er, passed

I'm glad someone can block Peter Taylor from the memory...I can't, I'm still in counselling from that Pillocks stint.

 

[Mighty_Bantam]

Rubbish game.

Bolton played like a classic Parky team. Lump it forward. Kick the crap out of the other team. Worked for us for 5 years but it's awful to witness as the opposition.

We played it around tidily but never threatened. Same as every week. Very frustrating.

Bolton fans were less than complimentary about PP walking away from the ground.

 

[Robert Molenaar]

We obviously don't practice shooting in training.

Bolton didn't look up to much, surprised to see them so high in the league.

 

[finley]

Fair result,neat and tidy in midfield but lacking a killer ball upfront.Don't think either keeper had a meaningful shot to save

 

[Muzzle]

Both teams can't score, sums this match up as it was pretty poor