Bradford v Millwall

[ThisTinpotLeague]

They had a touch of that about them in L2 as well. Went one goal up and thought they were Brazil, then we hit four without response. One for each year they had to spend down there.

 

[T.A]

I've banned him for being boring.

 

[Laker]

Will Pompey'a new billionaire investor be paying off the remaining 80p in the pound they didn't pay the last time they overspent? And will they resort to paying just 20p in the pound again in 10, 15, 20 years or whatever when it goes tits up again?

 

[Muzzle]

As has been said many times on here, if Bradford had put away their chances, they'd have walked that game yesterday, as with us when they we 2-0 and other matches, am not sure if it is players or tactics or both, but as much as I woiuldn't mid seeing them come up next year, I wonder if they may have a dip next season. Any news on your transfer kitty yet?

 

[Jockney]

As has been said many times on here, if Bradford had put away their chances, they'd have walked that game yesterday,

Bradford only had one clear-cut chance, so.... we would have won 2-1?

We were as much in control in the 2nd half as Bradford were in the first. There really wasn't anything in it.

 

[Robert Molenaar]

Bradford only had one clear-cut chance, so.... we would have won 2-1?

We were as much in control in the 2nd half as Bradford were in the first. There really wasn't anything in it.

Agree with that.

Walking away from the game yesterday it struck me how not bothered I was about losing that. It only really hit me at half time that we were playing in a play off final! Next seasons squad will be different and I think better. We need big investment (for this division) in the right areas and I think we'll be ok.

 

[Freethinker]

Imagine if that pitch invasion happened against West Ham, Chelsea or Leeds it would have been a full scale riot on the pitch and would have been impossible to contain. At least it would have been more entertaining than the match anyways.

Why stop there, imagine if one of them had Nuclear Weapons....

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Agree with that.

Walking away from the game yesterday it struck me how not bothered I was about losing that. It only really hit me at half time that we were playing in a play off final! Next seasons squad will be different and I think better. We need big investment (for this division) in the right areas and I think we'll be ok.

Feel the same now it's over, obviously I would have been loving it had we, but I was surprised how not bothered I was after. I can only but it down to how embarrassing we are in the final third most of the season, imagine the likes of Law and Clarke in the Championship? We'd have needed more investment in that league than I think the owners are willing to pay at this stage. As you say as long as we strengthen in the right areas we should be able to have a real crack next season and be stronger in the long run for it. But I think we need to sacrifice some of the neat and tidy players who will retain possession but do nothing with it.

 

[Robert Molenaar]

That's exactly what I said in the pub after the game, we have too many good, neat players who have no cutting edge in the final third.

Really frustrates me that we don't play to Wyke's strengths. He's had a really poor 2 months and it's down to no fault of his own. As long as McCall looks bad and learns from this and some of the mistakes he's made this season then I'm sure the owners and everyone else will be right behind him for next season.

 

[Cornish Piskie]

Couldn't careless where you think we'll end, more implying we're a small club and how you keep talking Shit about how big Portsmouth are. You think you're going to walk the league, I'm afraid you'll be in for a shock. And no chance you had 250,000 there for a parade, Portsmouth has a population of 200,000 and I bet there wasn't a tenth of that there. I have respect for Portsmouth as they stood by their club whilst in league 2 but don't come on here winding up giving it big time.

Message to other Portsmouth fans, do you share this guys views?

I'm not a Pompey fan but I went to University in Portsmouth and was impressed with how intense the support for the club is in that city. Their support is truly impressive and it is what I would call "real" support, too. Their fans really do love the club. Something that was pointed out to me in the city centre once was how seldom you see kids (or adults come to that) walking around the town in Man Utd shirts, or Arsenal or any of the other types of hangers-on. Youngsters will wear Pompey colours with pride and this sort of enthusiasm is infectious. I found myself taking an interest in how they were doing and feeling glad when they won matches.

I think they'll do well in League One next season.

Many of their fans put in a lot of their own money to keep the club alive after the financial hole they were left in, knowing that their money wasn't buying them any sort of stake in the club, other than the fact that it kept them from going under at a time when that was a very genuine possibility. Kudos to the fans for that.

As for Bradford: I am aware of the popularity of Rugby League in Yorkshire and Bradford Bulls had a home match yesterday. Football has to compete with Rugby League for fans in Bradford so I think that should be taken into consideration. It shouldn't be forgotten that the reason (then Woolwich) Arsenal left the south London area all those years ago was because the popularity of rugby at Blackheath seriously affected football attendances at that time. When two sports compete for fans in a relatively small community we shouldn't denigrate the supporters who DO come to a match.

One of our former managers, Phil Parkinson went to Bradford after being sacked by Charlton. I thought he was hard done to by the Charlton board, but it did pave the way for Chris Powell to take over and that went down well with us. No reflection on Parky, and I was glad when he took the Bantams to the League Cup final.

Nobody can tell what's going to happen next season. Blimey, this one aint over yet..!!

 

[Edinho-oh-oh]

Hard to add much but a few points come to mind from reading the thread. Disappointing as yesterday was, i agree with a lot that's been said on here, i feel pretty unfussed about the result 24 hours later, as absolutely on the floor as i was when the goal went in.

Plenty been said about the Millwall fans but i had pretty positive experiences travelling into the game with the majority of them on the tube - good salt of the earth bunch by and large. That said, that made the pitch invasion and the posturing of a reasonable minority of their fans outside of the ground after the game all the more disappointing. Haven't seen so many grown blokes pick out so many soft targets since.......well the last time we played Millwall! I'm all for a bit of counter-culture and sticking it to the EFL but a bit non-plussed as to why that has to take the form of threatening people who clearly aren't interested or, worse, are coming out of the game with their kids or parents etc etc. On the flip side of that, the noise the sensible majority made in the ground created a good atmosphere for most of the match and a good number of Wall i spoke to on the day were just as much a credit to their club as i think we were to ours. To close on the crowd, not sure why we've taken any flak about numbers. Those we took yesterday were roughly in line with our last two play off finals. The league cup was different in that it was so unexpected and the run we had getting there captured the public attention in the way only a cup run like that can, hence we had more of the lapsed and day tripper supporters swell our numbers that day. As for the Pompey fans....you shouldn't underestimate how much our club means to us either and you'll find next season we create as good an atmosphere as any club in this division or beyond.

On the game, i was worried about Millwall when the final was confirmed and it proved no less the case on the day. As well as we defended their front two for 85 mins, even in the first half, when we were on top, you could sense the anxiety of fans and players every time the ball was lumped up to Morison. We were predictably toothless despite playing the better football first half. Second half, Millwall did the same as a lot of other teams have done to us this year and imposed their game on ours, particularly our midfield. The game was going to turn on one moment and barring one or two flashes from us (McArdle's free header in particular), it was becoming ever apparent it was probably going to come from Millwall.

Still can't fathom Dieng coming on yesterday. Really failing to see what he offers other than fresh legs. Law wasn't particularly any more effective but i felt yesterday showed up one of McCall's failings, which is a willingness to try and positively affect a game as much as i would like. Maybe a change in shape or looking to change what we were doing in the final third with subs up top might have brought a different result.

A re-build of sorts will follow now with the numbers we have out of contract. Seems to be a real chance to invest and strengthen if the board are as entusiastic as they seem. We've had a very good season and must be well placed for even better next year with enough vision from board and management.

Congrats to Millwall and good luck next year.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Hard to add much but a few points come to mind from reading the thread. Disappointing as yesterday was, i agree with a lot that's been said on here, i feel pretty unfussed about the result 24 hours later, as absolutely on the floor as i was when the goal went in.

Plenty been said about the Millwall fans but i had pretty positive experiences travelling into the game with the majority of them on the tube - good salt of the earth bunch by and large. That said, that made the pitch invasion and the posturing of a reasonable minority of their fans outside of the ground after the game all the more disappointing. Haven't seen so many grown blokes pick out so many soft targets since.......well the last time we played Millwall! I'm all for a bit of counter-culture and sticking it to the EFL but a bit non-plussed as to why that has to take the form of threatening people who clearly aren't interested or, worse, are coming out of the game with their kids or parents etc etc. On the flip side of that, the noise the sensible majority made in the ground created a good atmosphere for most of the match and a good number of Wall i spoke to on the day were just as much a credit to their club as i think we were to ours. To close on the crowd, not sure why we've taken any flak about numbers. Those we took yesterday were roughly in line with our last two play off finals. The league cup was different in that it was so unexpected and the run we had getting there captured the public attention in the way only a cup run like that can, hence we had more of the lapsed and day tripper supporters swell our numbers that day. As for the Pompey fans....you shouldn't underestimate how much our club means to us either and you'll find next season we create as good an atmosphere as any club in this division or beyond.

On the game, i was worried about Millwall when the final was confirmed and it proved no less the case on the day. As well as we defended their front two for 85 mins, even in the first half, when we were on top, you could sense the anxiety of fans and players every time the ball was lumped up to Morison. We were predictably toothless despite playing the better football first half. Second half, Millwall did the same as a lot of other teams have done to us this year and imposed their game on ours, particularly our midfield. The game was going to turn on one moment and barring one or two flashes from us (McArdle's free header in particular), it was becoming ever apparent it was probably going to come from Millwall.

Still can't fathom Dieng coming on yesterday. Really failing to see what he offers other than fresh legs. Law wasn't particularly any more effective but i felt yesterday showed up one of McCall's failings, which is a willingness to try and positively affect a game as much as i would like. Maybe a change in shape or looking to change what we were doing in the final third with subs up top might have brought a different result.

A re-build of sorts will follow now with the numbers we have out of contract. Seems to be a real chance to invest and strengthen if the board are as entusiastic as they seem. We've had a very good season and must be well placed for even better next year with enough vision from board and management.

Congrats to Millwall and good luck next year.

Well said mate nothing more to add from a City point of view.

 

[1976Bantam]

Bradford only had one clear-cut chance, so.... we would have won 2-1?

We were as much in control in the 2nd half as Bradford were in the first. There really wasn't anything in it.

I'd broadly agree re each team's control of the game and was always going to be one goal that won it.

Would you not count our chance right at the end as a clear-cut one though? McMahon squares that accurately and it's 1-1. He was essentially unmarked near the corner of the 6-yard box.

 

[Jockney]

I'd broadly agree re each team's control of the game and was always going to be one goal that won it.

Would you not count our chance right at the end as a clear-cut one though? McMahon squares that accurately and it's 1-1. He was essentially unmarked near the corner of the 6-yard box.

I dunno, I sa the replays on that and the Bradford players available to him were within close contact of the defenders. I'd call that a half-chance. Most of the game was half-chances. We benefited in the end from having a proper front two.

 

[Aero]

Congratulations and well done Millwall.

Welcome back to the Championship.

 

[Bucket_]

Sorry to hijack the thread further, but just to add to the Pompey talk as I feel like we've been mis-represented here - I think most of us are just glad to be on the way back up tbh, in whatever form that takes. We're confident, especially as it looks like the takeover is going to go through (results of the vote are imminent), but also realistic - we know it's gonna be a tough league and challenging for the playoffs would be a success for us, at least in my opinion. I'm just looking forward to visiting grounds that aren't Morecambe and Luton.

That James Smith fella was one of the moronic minority. Though there was a lot of people at that parade in 2008..

 

[1976Bantam]

I dunno, I sa the replays on that and the Bradford players available to him were within close contact of the defenders. I'd call that a half-chance. Most of the game was half-chances. We benefited in the end from having a proper front two.

Yeah that's a fair enough comment - as the game wore on they got more and more involved, ultimately resulting in the winner. Whereas our front players got increasingly isolated.

I think with the McMahon chance if he fires that across the 6 yard box it's a great chance for someone to attack it (or score an OG).

 

[The Reverend Skyblue]

Went to the game today as I had free tickets in the box.

The Millwall pitch invasion was 'classic Millwall' showing off, but the squaring up to players is just stupid. 3/4 kids went up to Mark Marshall giving it the biggun.

After the game was silly, too. Millwall 'yoof' literally winding up men with their kids knowing that they wouldn't do anything.

I know a few Millwall fans and have a good deal of respect for them wanting to keep it old school and not turn into what a lot of football has become, but some of the things I saw today were a little embarrassing.

Christ PUSBCCFC a Cov fan going twice to Wembley in a single season.
Well done to Millwall and good luck next year.
Us older fans who went through the seventies and eighties laugh at the youngsters nowadays who give it the Big un, they wouldn't have lasted five seconds back in the old days, they know they can do most things to act a dick as they are unlikely to get a reaction or are safe by mouthing off to parents with kids, its bloody moronic, but you wouldn't see one of them if offered out one to one..

Anyway sad for Bradford as a great club with decent fans, I'm sure if you get promoted next season you may look back and say it was perhaps as season too soon for you to go up and be competitive in the Championship. Hope you do well next season

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Christ PUSBCCFC a Cov fan going twice to Wembley in a single season.
Well done to Millwall and good luck next year.
Us older fans who went through the seventies and eighties laugh at the youngsters nowadays who give it the Big In, they wouldn't have lasted five seconds back in the old days, they can do most things as they know they are not mostly going to get a reaction or are safe by mouthing off to parents with kids, its bloody moronic, but you wouldn't see one of them if offered out one to one..

Anyway sad for Bradford as a great club with decent fans, I'm sure if you get promoted next season you may look back and say it was perhaps as season too soon for you to go up and be competitive in the Championship. Hope you do well next season

Same to you next season, although I think it's more important to get rid of your scum owners first as that league a pain to get out of. Believe me everyone in football is rooting for you there, hopefully we'll play each other again in the championship sooner or later.

 

[THE LAST WALTZ]

Hard to add much but a few points come to mind from heading the thread. Disappointing as yesterdays was, i agree with a lot that's been said on here, i feel pretty unfussed about the result 24 hours later, as absolutely on the floor as i was when the goal went in.

Plenty been said about the Millwall fans but i had pretty positive experiences travelling into the game with the majority of them on the tube - good salt of the earth bunch by and large. That said, that made the pitch invasion and the posturing of a reasonable minority of their fans outside of the ground after the game all the more disappointing. Haven't seen so many grown blokes pick out so many soft targets since.......well the last time we played Millwall! I'm all for a bit of counter-culture and sticking it to the EFL but a bit non-plussed as to why that has to take the form of threatening people who clearly aren't interested or, worse, are coming out of the game with their kids or parents etc etc. On the flip side of that, the noise the sensible majority made in the ground created a good atmosphere for most of the match and a good number of Wall i spoke to on the day were just as much a credit to their club as i think we were to ours. To close on the crowd, not sure why we've taken any flak about numbers. Those we took yesterday were roughly in line with our last two play off finals. The league cup was different in that it was so unexpected and the run we had getting there captured the public attention in the way only a cup run like that can, hence we had more of the lapsed and day tripper supporters swell our numbers that day. As for the Pompey fans....you shouldn't underestimate how much our club means to us either and you'll find next season we create as good an atmosphere as any club in this division or beyond.

On the game, i was worried about Millwall when the final was confirmed and it proved no less the case on the day. As well as we defended their front two for 85 mins, even in the first half, when we were on top, you could sense the anxiety of fans and players every time the ball was lumped up to Morison. We were predictably toothless despite playing the better football first half. Second half, Millwall did the same as a lot of other teams have done to us this year and imposed their game on ours, particularly our midfield. The game was going to turn on one moment and barring one or two flashes from us (McArdle's free header in particular), it was becoming ever apparent it was probably going to come from Millwall.

Still can't fathom Dieng coming on yesterday. Really failing to see what he offers other than fresh legs. Law wasn't particularly any more effective but i felt yesterday showed up one of McCall's failings, which is a willingness to try and positively affect a game as much as i would like. Maybe a change in shape or looking to change what we were doing in the final third with subs up top might have brought a different result.

A re-build of sorts will follow now with the numbers we have out of contract. Seems to be a real chance to invest and strengthen if the board are as entusiastic as they seem. We've had a very good season and must be well placed for even better next year with enough vision from board and management.

Congrats to Millwall and good luck next year.

Well you had a bloody good go

 

[Edinho-oh-oh]

Well you had a bloody good go

I started out thinking I just wanted to congratulate both teams on a good season but was watching the highlights at the same time and catharsis took over!

 

[SMH]

Can't wait for the day that one of these fans who prefer to goad an opposition player rather than celebrating with their own players during a pitch invasion gets put on their arse from said opposition player. I reckon it'll happen soon.

 

[Deepcut Cobbler]

Can't wait for the day that one of these fans who prefer to goad an opposition player rather than celebrating with their own players during a pitch invasion gets put on their arse from said opposition player. I reckon it'll happen soon.

Or a hairy arsed steward who is, tenuously?, within his rights to do so...